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Original poster

Sudden change in personality. Any experience?

88 replies

Notsurewhatsgoingon · 09/07/2020 13:46

Hi all,
Bit of background: I'm 32, married, two children, working part time, no job or money worries, nice home etc, no previous mental health or medical issues.

So about 3 weeks ago I woke up with a bad headache, took pain relief but it lasted about 3 days. Each day I woke up feeling worse, not so much the headache but just in general. I can't explain how I felt really well, but just off. Once the headache had gone I felt like I'd been hit by a bus. Just worn out and exhausted. I spent the next few days close to tears but for no apparent reason. Everything became too much to cope with. Even driving to the supermarket had me in tears because it felt exhausting, stressful and overwhelming. Things that I do every day seemed impossible in my mind. I felt fuzzy, confused and a bit scared but I couldn't put my finger on why. Nothing has happened to trigger this and that makes me feel selfish as I know many people are suffering right now.

Since then I have spoken to my gp who has advised me to take a bit of time off work and to have some blood tests. I'm still waiting for the results.

3 weeks on I feel like a different person. I'm normally a yes person and egar to please. I go out of my way to help friends and family and often volunteer in the community. I never show my emotions and am described as smiley and happy by friends. I can count on one had the amount of times I have shouted at my children in their entire life. Im just chilled.

But now I'm angry with the whole world. I'm angry at my family and friends and my children for no reason. I am still able to not show this to the children as I have not completly lost it but even normal day to day actions leave me feeling seething and then sad and emotional.
My friend had an issue and I'd have normally gone out of my way to solve it and see her but I was abrupt and rude and I don't know why.Even simply writing a message like this has me feeling angry and overwhelmed. I am rude to my husband and don't want to bother with chit chat in public as I usually would.

I have been having thoughts of running away from my family and caught myself thinking of driving too fast and causing an accident this morning but obviously I didn't, so I can be rational when needed.

There are occasions where I feel awful for having these thoughts and for snapping at the kids but they last a split second and I'm back to feeling upset, angry, emotional, overwhelmed etc....

I don't want to spend time with anyone, even my own husband and children. I'm usually very social and have enjoyed social distance meet ups but now I couldn't care less.
I'm scared how bad this will get as I'm starting to have very worrying thoughts. At the moment I'm able to stop myself and keep telling myself to sort my shit out but I can feel myself slipping further into this distress each day.

This is not me. I don't feel depressed. Something tells me this is medical but maybe I'm wrong.
Has anyone come across anything like this?

OP posts:
Original poster
Notsurewhatsgoingon · 09/07/2020 15:03

.

OP posts:
INeedNewShoes · 09/07/2020 15:07

When are the blood results due back? If its not today or tomorrow, I'd call your GP again.

Original poster
Notsurewhatsgoingon · 09/07/2020 15:13

Bloods should be back next week.
I don't really know what the gp can do? I just have to wait to rule anything out

OP posts:
Letmegetthisrightasawoman · 09/07/2020 15:18

I absolutely don't mean to sound flippant, but have you done a pregnancy test? It sounds like extreme versions of pregnancy symptoms, with intrusive thoughts added in. Hope you get answers soon! Please tell someone if you are worried you might hurt yourself or somebody else

HollowTalk · 09/07/2020 15:24

I would definitely go back to my GP. That sounds very worrying.

AIMD · 09/07/2020 15:31

Have you had any TICS, OCD Or unusual thoughts or behaviours too?

It reminds me a little of PANDAS in children where an infection of some sort causes swelling in the brain impacting on behaviour. It can look like a mental health issue but can have a physical cause and be the result of an infection or illness like strep throat. I’ve heard of similar in adults where an illness causes brain swelling and unusual behaviour.

Here’s some links to what I mean because I’m no good at explaining ....

www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/infection-inflammation-and-mental-illness

Just something to consider but of course it could be any number of things.
Hope you get an answer. It must be very scary for you.

Mascotte · 09/07/2020 15:38

I think you need to ring your GP urgently and tell them how you're feeling. It sounds horrible..

Meanameicallmyself20 · 09/07/2020 15:41

No direct experience but this sounds scary OP. take your husband with you to next appointment to explain personality changes too.. and ask to be referred to hospital If you’re super worried which I don’t think is unreasonable (although conscious everything is slow/shut at the moment) - hope you feel better soon xx

DameCelia · 09/07/2020 15:44

Hi op
You've just described exactly what happens to me with a migraine. Personality change is a rare symptom and really scary, mine usually fades a day or two after the migraine but can continue if I'm going to get another one soon.

AIMD · 09/07/2020 15:45

I agree with calling GP ASAP especially if you think you might be at risk of hurting yourself or others. It’ll feel scary but everyone needs to know how serious your symptoms are.

panda3019 · 09/07/2020 16:27

Call GP again , explain the severity of your symptoms and your mental well being is at risk due to these extreme symptoms which are completely unlike you and have had a rapid onset. There are many things that could cause this some serious/some not but you need to be checked out and your bloods chased up as soon as possible. It sounds like you are going through an awful time and just remember that this is not you and will get better.

My friend had similar problems and was diagnosed with a thyroid problem. She went from being the calmest most laid back happy person to similar to the symptoms described and thought she was going crazy until her GP did her bloods and diagnosed her.

Good luck

7ofNine · 09/07/2020 16:31

I agree it sounds like migraine- don't underestimate how hard living with pain is.
It sounds awful for you, and I hope your gp gets to the bottom of it soon Thanks

backseatcookers · 09/07/2020 16:41

I had this sort of cataclysmic shift after a severe head injury that caused trauma to my brain and resulted in epilepsy. Between the car crash and my first major seizure I was angry and had some really violent (thankfully not directed at people) outbursts that were totally out of character.

Press your GP on this, you need to tell them you've had thoughts of harming yourself, even if they are fleeting and not something you believe you would do, because it indicates the severity of the problem and the fact you need help more urgently than you may get otherwise.

I would copy and paste much of what you've written in your post and share it with your GP, our local surgery is accepting emails and then calling back in order of priority as they see it.

I get very angry and confused before seizures and I believe some people experience similar before migraines.

I'm so sorry you're having such an awful time, it sounds terrible but the fact you have articulated the feelings so well is great as it will help them investigate further.

Do not worry about feeling / looking / being selfish. Sometimes it's shorthand for self preservation. And to be a good mum (which it sounds like you absolutely are) you need to be healthy and sometimes that means putting your needs first as long as the kids needs are met.

Perhaps write a letter explaining all this to your other half in the meantime? When I get auras before a seizure I am too angry and confused to explain how I feel and when I'm post ictal I'm too exhausted and emotional, so I didn't realise until recently that I had never really explained the cycle to my partner and doing so really helped. I made a flow chart because that's how my brain works. He can then have a sit down with the kids and explain to them calmly that Mummy is feeling really poorly but isn't cross with them, and chat about ways they can all help support you at the moment.

So sorry you're going through this - feel free to message if you want to have a moan or a vent any time Thanks

JustMeAndMyTins · 09/07/2020 17:59

I'm another one for whom a migraine causes personality changes temporarily (namely anger but other negative emotions too). I do also get the migraines with no pain which is fun and confusing.

HOWEVER, what is concerning me here is how very out of character it sounds for you personally. It's really not a stretch for me to be an arsehole or hate the world but it sounds quite jarring for you. Please make a fuss with your doctor - and don't stop at some ok blood test results.

QuestionableMouse · 09/07/2020 18:07

I really don't want to scare you but could it have been a TIA? My aunt has had a few strokes/TIAs and a lot of what you're saying about the exhaustion and personality changes is ringing bells with me.

Not sure a scan now would show anything but I'd ask about one.

If you get any more headaches I'd head to A&E. (That might sound extreme but given your history I'd play on the safe side.)

Elbels · 09/07/2020 18:10

The extreme headache and tiredness could be Covid and there's been examples now of neurological changes as a result of this, particularly in younger people who don't show the classic symptoms.

Fluffycloudland77 · 09/07/2020 18:21

I’d ring back too and tell him everything.

Dh told our gp he was having thoughts he’d lose control and hurt me, she didn’t bat an eyelid.

These things happen way more than you think.

Supersimkin2 · 09/07/2020 18:23

I think you've had a stroke.

StormBaby · 09/07/2020 18:51

My ex husband had a stroke a few years ago and it completely changed him(for the better actually). He had no physical affects whatsoever. It was the headache that hospitalised him

Original poster
Notsurewhatsgoingon · 09/07/2020 19:01

Thank you for the replies.

I am reluctant to go back to my gp because I and some friends have experienced them putting everything down to being a mum. I don't think they will take me very seriously with these symptoms and will just think it's down to the stresses of being a working mother.

I have not had any symptoms of infection or stroke, apart from those mentioned in the op. And I like to think I'm pretty young and fit.

Reading the replies has worried me a bit though but I feel stuck at what I can do about it.

OP posts:
AIMD · 09/07/2020 19:10

Op I understand that GPs can be dismissive at times and it can be hard to push how serious a problem something is. However if you don’t go to the GP for further investigation and or tests there isn’t much that’s going to get solved. If you have had an issue with a particular GP ask for another when you book an appointment or maybe ask a friend to go with you for support to ensure your concerns are taken seriously. I do think you need to be very truthful about your thoughts though so the issue isn’t minimised.

It really doesn’t sound like something you can leave.

Mascotte · 09/07/2020 19:17

You need to ring them and push it. I know it's hard, but you have to.

ConnellWaldronsChain · 09/07/2020 19:17

You definitely need to return to your GP (or go to A&E if you really don't feel your GP will take your concerns seriously)

It could be a number of things but if it does turn out to be something serious the outcome is likely to be better the quicker you get a diagnosis

PenelopePitstop49 · 09/07/2020 19:23

From your posts, OP, I immediately thought stroke or encephalitis.

Please go back to your GP, take someone with you, and insist.

This isn't a time to wait for answers - you need to be proactive here.