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Bipolar Disorder/meds for bipolar and pregnant

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Expert: Joyce A. Anthony - 6/29/2008


Question
My daughter is a 20 year old single parent to be.. she has been diagnosed Bipolar I and is in the 8th week of pregnancy. ALthough she stopped her Depakote before the first week of pregnancy , she is having some severe mood swings. Are there any herbs or natural mood stabilizers that would be safe for her and baby?

Answer
Hi Shannon:

Your daughter will need to discuss both her mood swings and any herbs with her doctor.  Currently, there is not enough information available on herbs and natural mood stabilizers to make them safe for pregnant women.

                  Joyce A. Anthony

Bipolar Disorder

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Joyce A. Anthony

Expertise

I can answer questions dealing with bipolar disorder in a parent, yourself or your child. I can give suggestions and insight into what can be expected of many medications for bipolar disorder. My most extensive knowledge is in children with bipolar disorder. Here I can give advice on dealing with daily events, schools, medication and professionals.

Experience

I am the daughter of a bipolar/schizophrenic parent, am bipolar myself and am raising a bipolar child. I have a background in Psychology from Gannon University, have run several parenting classes for those parenting bipolar children and have had extensive experience with medications, the school system, homeschooling a special needs child, dealing with counselors, doctors and other professionals in the mental health field. I write for a bipolar website, with the focus on educating the child with bipolar disorder on his/her illness.

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