Bipolar disorder please read and reply if u can, ive never posted anything before.

[Sallyannhall]

Hello my name is Sally, I have bipolar disorder 2, i would love to talk to others out their to see how are you coping with suicidal thoughts Insomnia lack of sleep plus coping with day to day life feeling depressed and really struggling at the moment with all the above please help and desperate I have two young children and cannot afford to go back into hospital again!!!! But I feel like I'm heading that way I was feeling ill at the minute I fell down the stairs last week and broke two of my two front teeth so that makes me feel great not if anybody can give me any advice on sleeping with suicidal thoughts with feeling generally crap sad lonely down thank you much appreciated even if you just read this but a reply would be even better I feel so alone.

[Jenny_at_APP Partner]

Hello sallyannhall,

I'm so sorry to hear you're struggling at the moment.

There will be women on this forum with a bipolar diagnosis and women without - the forum is for those who have been affected by postpartum psychosis, a proportion of whom will also have a bipolar diagnosis (I suffered from PP but without bipolar). I hope you will get some support and advice here from others but I also wondered if you had accessed support and resources on the Bipolar UK website? They have an e-community and are a brilliant resource - bipolaruk.org/

You're not alone. I can only imagine how hard it is day in, day out. I've suffered from insomnia as a symptom of PP but not depression or suicidal thoughts. Do you have good support from your GP / psychiatrist? I'd suggest trying to see someone to discuss your symptoms, perhaps your medication needs reviewing? Do you have support from family and friends? I hope you have people you can reach out to but I know it's hard for most people to really understand.

Thinking of you.

J x

[Lilybeth Volunteer in reply to Jenny_at_APP]

Hello Sallyann

What an awful time you're having ..... hopefully you will find support here from mums so that you won't feel so alone. I had PP twice without bipolar but suffered an endless depression and suicidal thoughts. This was a long time ago and I was initially given medication but then had ECT treatment which was very effective and made such a difference.

My depression took hold following my second PP (my first was six years earlier). I was sectioned to general psychiatric care initially and then treated at home. I had to be watched 24/7 by my husband and family as I was actively suicidal. I had ECT with my first PP and needed it for my second. At first I received this as an inpatient and then as an outpatient in times of crisis.

It must be so hard for you to manage with two children. Trying to cope with routine and the effects of medication must be so difficult. Do you have any support around you? Please don't isolate yourself and try to find the help you need.If you are in the UK Is there a Sure Start group in your area as I think they offer support to families? Also The Samaritans in the UK are available 24/7 if you just need to talk to someone in confidence on 116 123.

Although I have no experience of bipolar I have felt as desperate as you feel and it is so hard to lift yourself and move forward. With good care and medical intervention I eventually fully recovered and hope you have the opportunity to do the same.

Take good care of yourself. Keep reaching out for help ..... you are a great mum struggling with so much. Please keep in touch as although we might not have experience of bipolar, we really do understand how hard it must be for you right now.

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello Sally

How have you been since you posted? Did you manage to find support for yourself? I hope your GP has been able to signpost you to professionals as this must be an awful time for you.

Stay safe and take care. We are here to talk if it helps.

[Ellie_at_APP Partner]

Hi Sallyannhall

I was just wondering how you were too? It sounds like you've been going through a really hard time. You're not alone, you'll see on here there's so many mums struggling...

I really hope you can get more support and help.

Take care XX