Expert: Joyce A. Anthony - 8/7/2009

Question
Hi, i was diagnosed with bipolar dec 2006.....i asked to be tested after a friend told me they thought i may have it!

After research (as i had never heard of it) i found i had 99% of the reconised symptoms, and that it did explain a lot of my past and present reactions and behaviours in various situations!

I was given Lithium, starting with 400mg for a week, and 600mg since.....but i felt so numb with it, for all i wanted to have less emotions, i didnt want NO emotions.....is it normal to feel so numb to emotions on lithium....yet still cycle through the stages of hypomania and depression?

My psychiatrist has changed twice over the years, and i only just met my last one and now have a new one again (who i dont even know their name yet, never mind having met them)(i find meeting new people hard) so i thought i would ask the advice of someone i didnt have to meet first....before going over my whole existance again with the new Psych..

Also, i am currently going in and out of denial....life has hit me with a load of hard and stressful situations this last month....could this be the cause of the denial?

I drank last night (never had a drink problem) to escape the pain of everything (i have NEVER done this before) I also self-harmed (not exactly cuts, but scratches with scissors instead of a knife) I used to self harm as a teen, but i havent since i had my kids, 12 years ago...i am currently 32

Also i cant sleep, and i am not eating, i am so thin, its not that i WANT to not eat (as an anorexic would) i just have no appetite, i am always underweight, so this is scaring me greatly....as i am now only 8 and a half stone, but i am 5ft9!

Should i change my medication....i dont know, i have never felt anything really help over the few years since i found out what i have!

Is there any advice you can give me....anything else you need to know, i am a little manic today i think so my mind is racing and i have probably missed a lot of things out from this!

Thank you in advance
sammie  

Answer
Hi Sammie:

I think your letter indicates two things that need to be done.  First, a change of medication seems in order, as the Lithium does not seem to be working.  Secondly, I think you could benefit from some sort of talk therapy or a support group.  Being diagnosed can be difficult and it helps to be able to talk things over with others in the same position.  When you have your next appointment, discuss with your doctor the possibility of a support group and a change in medication.

                   Joyce A. Anthony