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I’m over at Postpartum Progress this morning and we’re talking about Postpartum Bipolar Disorder. Many women who experience PPD in the classic sense also experience the very often misdiagnosed symptom of hypomania/mania. And some women even go on to actually develop chronic Bipolar after childbirth.
Its something I know I never realized until it happened to me. And with more research coming out that this is a relatively common outcome, I believe its time for the medical community to be more aware of this possible outcome, and take steps to properly diagnose and treat women who are fighting this illness.
I invited Dyane Harwood to share her own story of the fight to find balance with postpartum bipolar disorder HERE. Please click over and let us know if you identify with Dyane like I do.
So proud of her for bravely sharing her experiences without shame to hopefully help and inspire others.
I also wanted to remind you that March 30th is World Bipolar Day. Visit here for more information on how you can become involved. Please send in your photos (like mine shown here) that reprsent you as you truly are even with Bipolar.
Thanks so much Cristi for sharing my experience with postpartum bipolar disorder here @ Motherhood Unadorned! If I decide to create a T-shirt re: PPBD (which I’ve actually contemplated in the past believe it or not) I want to hire *you* to do the artwork! 😉
Great to see this pos retweeted – thanks Cristi! Also there will be a free webinar next week that you & others might be interested in – here are the details:
Postpartum Management of Bipolar Disorder: Challenges and Opportunities
Date: November 25, 2014
Time: 12:00pm EST
Presenter: Dr. Verinder Sharma – Professor of Psychiatry, Western University, Canada
Overview
Correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment of bipolar disorder continue to pose challenges in the postpartum period, despite the common knowledge that childbirth is a potent trigger for bipolar mood episodes. This webinar discusses the importance of identifying women at risk of first-onset or recurrence of bipolar mood episodes, and the role of optimal pharmacotherapy in the prophylactic and acute treatment of mood and psychotic episodes in the postpartum period. There will also be a discussion of management of the disorder in women who are breastfeeding.
Educational Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to:
1. Identify the challenges in diagnosing bipolar disorder in the postpartum period
2. Describe the prophylactic and acute treatment of postpartum bipolar mood episodes.
3. Discuss the management of bipolar disorder in lactating women.
Registration
This webinar is free and open to all interested participants. Please register for this ISBD webinar on November 25, 2014 at 12:00 PM EST (US) at:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6136276899004177153
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Should you have any questions, please email oldsj@upmc.edu
Thanks for sharing Dyane!
My pleasure! My contact at the International Society for Bipolar Disorders told me that Dr. Sharma is a great speaker. I’m really looking forward to this webinar. 🙂