Ask Dr. Schwartz: Psychotherapy and Mental Health questions
Archive · Ask a Question · Read the Disclaimer · Biographical Statement · RSS Feed

I was wondering how having a mood disorder will affect pregnancy. I first had trouble with anxiety and depression that I noticed in my first pregnancy 5 years ago now I realize I did have some issues before that fit the descriptions of mood disorders. I have since then stuggled all the time with it going through a really bad point over the last year but I have not really been treated because my anxiety really gets to much and makes treatment worse. So I sort of gave up with the thought of a better and want to just jump forward but I am afraid of having post partum issues again worse then what I still struggle with. I worry that mabe I have a mild sort of bipolar because I never stay just depressed about every six weeks I have a great 2 weeks or so where everything is smoother I don\'t sleep as much or think as negative and I feel more wanting of my future which is when I really get excited for another baby but my irritability is bad and hard to control. My husband has wanted to have a baby for over a year now but I am just started to think would be ok for me. I worry that the depression that has bothered me before can get really bad short but bad and I don\'t want my thoughts on this topic to change in that moment. If I have not treated mood swings will it all just get worse with a pregnancy and if it does what do I do? also do you think this sounds like a bipolar type?

THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION WILL NOT BE DISPLAYED UNTIL YOU HAVE INDICATED YOUR AGREEMENT WITH THE DISCLAIMER PRINTED JUST BELOW. CLICK THE 'I AGREE' BUTTON TO AGREE TO THESE TERMS AND SEE THE RESPONSE.

Disclaimer

• Dr. Schwartz responds to questions about psychotherapy and mental health problems, from the perspective of his training in clinical psychology.
• Dr. Schwartz intends his responses to provide general educational information to the readership of this website; answers should not be understood to be specific advice intended for any particular individual(s).
• Questions submitted to this column are not guaranteed to receive responses.
• No correspondence takes place.
• No ongoing relationship of any sort (including but not limited to any form of professional relationship) is implied or offered by Dr. Schwartz to people submitting questions.
• Dr. Schwartz, Mental Help Net and CenterSite, LLC make no warranties, express or implied, about the information presented in this column. Dr. Schwartz and Mental Help Net disclaim any and all merchantability or warranty of fitness for a particular purpose or liability in connection with the use or misuse of this service.
• Always consult with your psychotherapist, physician, or psychiatrist first before changing any aspect of your treatment regimen. Do not stop your medication or change the dose of your medication without first consulting with your physician.