Does anyone have OCD and bipolar disorder?

Amen!!!!!! I second that on seeing a qualified prescriber of mental health meds especially when it comes to bipolar. That definitely means Psychiatrist. When I was released from the mental hospital, I followed up by my psychiatrist and he actually removed my antidepressant bc it was so low dose any ways and kept me on a high mood stabilizer that is helping greatly. If my ocd isn’t better with therapy alone, I will b put back on Prozac and it won’t b a problem in my case bc I’ll still be on my mood stabilizer. Obviously everyone is different and stuff, is say trust the psychiatrist definitely and don’t be scared to voice anything:)

@BacktoTheBasics It’s not an option everywhere, but there can be alternatives to seeing a typical psychiatrist if that’s been a struggle in the past, too. I actually see a psychiatric nurse practitioner instead of a psychiatrist for my med management (he’s an ARNP with prescriptive authority, so he has his own practice), and before that I had a GP who happened to put a lot of effort into continuing ed in that area so I trusted him to help me monitor things appropriately after I had my first episode.

@BacktoTheBasics (You have a really healthy outlook on all of this too - I have no doubt how much it took to develop and it’s serving you well 💜)

It’s so heartening to see all the work you’re doing to learn about this and how you can support your husband 💙

@JoyousEffort I am glad to find this app. I need encouragement too. Thanks!

Kudos for you for being so supportive

Thanks

Thanks

Yea! Ur right! They can if patient is not on a mood stabilizer. For me, I actually wasn’t on any antidepressants at all. Mine came on more related postpartum and lack of sleep :/

Yea it’s tricky balancing everything:/. But it’s possible :) does he see his psychiatrist like monthly?

Hey kudos for getting help in general!!! That’s NEVER easy to do. do you think he would be up for a psychiatrist? N yes girl 😭😭😭😭 I’m not gonna lie or try to be a Debbie downer but mood stabilizers can make you soo hungry:/ I was eating like a pig and Gained some weight too :/ BUT when I changed my psychiatrist he actually switched my meds to a high-ish dose of depakote , and take it only once instead of twice AND at night time where usually “the cravings “ hit but I’ll b asleep. I have found HUGE improvements with this med.

@BacktoTheBasics +1 to finding a prescriber who wants to help find the best solution. There are a lot of other options out there that may ultimately be a better fit than lithium, too... I stuck with it at first because I was scared of the idea of lamotrigine (you need to take it very consistently to avoid side effects), but when I had good habits and trusted myself more to really stick to my daily med routine I made the switch (lithium isn’t great for people with my thyroid issues) and it’s been fine.