Feel like I'm being labelled....

[Kathryn_]

Hey all,just wanted some advice really.I had PP in 2011 and again in 2014,it took a wee while each time to recover and still experience hard times but then again have two lively boys and a hubby doing a PGCE also dont have any family here.I saw a female psychiatrist on Fri who I haven't seen since I was pregnant with my second (was seeing another one and now this one is back from mat leave) I thought the meeting would be about what my GP had suggested,that I come off quetiapine and try and anti depressant. Ooh she was not happy!I felt she tried to analyse the PP episodes and the brief reactive psychosis i had ten years ago,my previous psychiatrist has said techinally because of this I can be diagnosed as bipolar,I seriously questioned this as before the brief psychosis (which was stress induced) before this is never had meds and i only had to stay on a low dose for a few month after the breakdown.i had no probs till I had my son five years later. this psychiatrist was questioning whether I did have a mood disorder, honestly even my previous psychiatrist said I had PP,she didn't seem to have much knowledge of it and before deciding on the anti depressant needed to know from the psychiatrist what my symptoms were.I was severely psychotic and very unwell so I was quite upset after.feel she was too entrenched in diagnosing bipolar when I've never had mania or depressive episodes out with PP.my GP is so understanding ,I have a CPN too whos good too and feel like discharging myself from the psychiatrist and maybe goin to see a psychologist or counsellor.just feel so labelled ,all because when I was 25 I had what they diagnosed at the time as a brief reactive psychosis. Any advice would be great,I find life hard as I look after the boys myself x

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello Kathryn

Welcome back to the forum. I'm sorry you're finding life hard ..... coping with how you feel and two lively boys isn't easy. I'm sure your husband will be a great support when he has finished training. We are all here to help in the meantime if we can.

It's difficult when psychiatrists have different opinions about your diagnosis and care ..... it's not surprising you feel a little uneasy. I'm not sure about the bipolar 'label' as I haven't any experience of this. However, there are mums here who I'm sure will have good advice for you.

Take good care and try to fit a break into the routine of caring for your family.

[Kathryn_ in reply to Lilybeth]

Thank you so much for your reply and advice xx

[Lilybeth Volunteer in reply to Kathryn_]

You're very welcome and I'm pleased to see you have had some very helpful replies.

Take care.

[Ellie_at_APP Partner]

Hi Kathryn

Sorry you're having such a difficult time, and don't feel good about what this psychiatrist is saying. It is important though, while you're on meds, to see a psychiatrist so that you get the right support in terms of medication.

Is your psychiatrist a perinatal psychiatrist (particularly for women who are mentally ill after childbirth)? If not, I wonder if you could ask your psychiatrist if you could be referred to the second opinion psychiatrist service with Dr Ian Jones, who is a very good and experienced perinatal psychiatrist (this is only available if you're in the UK). I have heard nothing but good things from people on here who have been referred to him. He works with your psychiatrist looking at your illness, and meds, and guides them about what may help you. app-network.org/what-is-pp/...

You could print off the page and take it with you to you next psychiatric appointment?

I don't know if that helps, keep writing whenever you need to.

[Kathryn_ in reply to Ellie_at_APP]

Thank you so much for your support and help.my psychiatrist isn't specialised in perinatal,I was discharged from the perinatal one a year after my second was born which is when you are discharged,she does however have all my notes but seemed to be reading them a lot in the meeting.My GP has written to my previous psychiatrist for advice re the anti depressant but he was the one who wanted to diagnose me as bipolar on a technicality due to the brief psychosis ten years prior. I don't get why this new one had to try and analyse it all, my previous psychiatrist knows I've had PP,he saw me and admitted me both times to the Mbu. my hubby tells me not to take it personal and not to get bogged down with what the diagnosis is but having bipolar is a serious mental health disorder and I feel it's unfair to suggest I have it when I've never had any episodes out with childbirth.xx

[Ellie_at_APP Partner in reply to Kathryn_]

Hi Kathryn, I totally understand. I know others have written on here about how difficult it has been to have a diagnosis of bipolar. It is hard enough to have PP and recover from that, but then to be told that you have a lifelong condition, especially if you don't agree with the diagnosis.

But as your husband says I guess try not to focus on the diagnosis, the most important thing is that you get the right support / meds etc and also know what helps you to get better and stay well.

take care X

[TraceyR72 Volunteer]

Hi Kathryn, I'm sorry to hear that you're finding things hard right now. I had a similar experience to you with diagnosis/labelling. When I had PP in 2004 I had the manic and psychotic element early on, then withdrew myself from medication and services (which I definitely don't recommend) but became severely depressed. The psychiatrist I saw that time (not a perinatal specialist) told me I was bipolar as I'd had a high episode then a low episode. He mentioned nothing about PP, or how these episodes can be confined to the perinatal period only in some women. I felt so upset by the "label" and by not being told anything about my long term prognosis. As it turned out I was able to come off medication (medically supervised this time) before having another child, and then took preventative medication after she was born. I didn't get manic that time but did later get the depression again. Over time I was able to gradually come off the medication and have stayed well without any for around 6 years now (although not without occasional struggles.) During my contact with a perinatal psychiatrist after my second I discussed the bipolar diagnosis quite a bit, questioning if she agreed it was right. The upshot was that she wouldn't definitively say it was wrong, but wrote a letter for my GP notes stating that it could be "just" a disorder of the perinatal period rather than bipolar. Even aside from the specific issue of the diagnosis, I know what you mean about it sometimes feeling like a psychiatrist is very stuck on a particular issue that feels less relevant to you. I had that a few times with different things. But looking back now I can see they were just trying to be thorough in ensuring I got exactly the right help, and perhaps your Dr is trying to do the same? I know it feels horrible when you're angry and frustrated after a bad appointment, but it may be a bit hasty to discharge yourself at this point, as next time you may find her different or even see a different person. I'm guessing the psychiatrist is connected to your CPN, probably part of the same team, so perhaps you could talk over what happened at your next CPN session, or give her a call? She may be able to help get your views across to the psychiatrist, or explain differently what the psychiatrist was trying to say. If you still feel very strongly she may also be able to arrange for you to see a different psychiatrist in the team. Another option is Dr Ian Jones for a second opinion, which Ellie has already outlined.

It's good that you're writing here for support, I hope you'll keep doing so when you need to, as lots of people on here will have similar experiences to care.

Best wishes

Tracey

[Kathryn_]

Thank you so much for your support Tracey,I might phone my cpn as I still feel so disappointed about the meeting.I'm all for a diagnosis if its right but I dont think they look at the individual. Thankfully I have a supportive family and good friends ,once again really thankful for your advice xx

[Hidden]

Hello Kathryn,

I hope the advise on this forum will help you to find your path. Decision-making and evaluating your health and welfare is rather difficult when you feel poorly.

I am a mature mum and have been struggling with lots of ups and downs since recovering from PPP. I believe I have become much more hyper sensitized towards stress levels.

Throughout my monthly cycle I get rather poorly (often up to 2 weeks) and do no not sleep much and my fear and anxiety is drastically increased...I become quite manic, meaning I am excessively busy...I convert that feeling into positive energy and started painting loads (love cycling, too). I also have 'psychotic outbursts' when terribly stressed, - my senses are extremely sensitised and I hear, see or smell things...for example after my father died I have had 2 years of bell's ringing, but luckily that improved. I just try to get the reassurance of my partner to clarify reality from 'my made up world' and usually get through the rough patch without any herbal remedies....(Valerian calms down my mind racing)

- I am learning to live with the new me...I am not bothered about any diagnosis and just try to listen to my needs more.

I have kept in touch with my care co-ordinator...She occasionally pops in, to give me a boost up and reassurance or up-dates on relevant therapeutic support via the NHS.

I appreciate life, because I feel so fortunate to have my son and partner.

All the best,

Sabine x