paranoia, mental health and relationships

[shutterbabe]

hello.
New here and I'm really not sure which board I should have put this in! But I think I'm in the right place.

I've had MH issues for years, and my current relationship was severely tested a couple of years ago. My DP never left me, never strayed (even though my awful mind had decided everyone was against me. It was so bad I'd be outside the bathroom, timing how long he was in there. And the postman was conspiring against me. But it was all in my head. As it always is.)

Anyway. He's been solid as a rock. Even when I had to spend the summer somewhere else, because of said problems, he stuck by me. Well I think he did. Otherwise we wouldn't be together now and he would have run off at the first problem!

But paranoia has always been my battle I'm constantly fighting. And we're now TTC. I've heard about hormones going mad once pregnant and I am so worried I will lose my grip on reality again, and be paranoid and worse. I don't want to have to spend a pregnancy with post-it notes everywhere telling me what is real and what isn't!

I suppose all I'm asking is a) does being pregnant do that to your brain, and b) if a guy's stuck around after a huge amount of crap you can throw at him, he's not likely to run off if it gets a little bad again once pg is he?

thanks for listening x

Shutterbabe are you working with any mental health professionals right now? How do you get on with your GP?

Pregnancy does do funny things to you, but this doesn't necessarily mean you will get more paranoid, however it could happen.

I have found that MH teams and GP's are very sympathetic and want to help people, but can do so so much better if they know you might have issues in advance. You could also tell the midwives you see (esp if they work in a small team) as again, they can then help if issues do arise.

Don't be worried they are going to get involved in the wrong way (i.e. think you are an unfit mother), more that they will then monitor you more closely and give you help if you think you are getting worse.

Your partner sounds ace.

hiya, thanks for replying.
Yes I am with mental health professionals, who are brilliant. My GP was shocking, all he ever seem to do is prescribe prozac (for everything) so I have moved to one who is a lot more informed.
Its one of the first things I will mention to any midwife/doctor/janitor, as it was so bad I can't go back. Am managing it well at the moment, although of course there are lapses.
Haha yes my partner is ace. Although if I don't control it I can imagine so many scenarios of him being not so ace by the time he gets home from work I will have imagined a whole 3 year affair and he will wonder what he's done wrong. Poor boy. But i am controlling it :)

Have you told your mh workers that you are ttc?

no, not yet. its a very recent decision and I've not had the chance.

I would suggest that you talk to your mh specialists before you ttc as, without knowing your dx, it could be that there are simple measures that you can take to ensure that you remain in good physical and mental health before, during, and after, any pregnancy.

Are you taking folic acid and any vitamin supplements? If you have a history of mental health problems in your family, it may be that genetic counselling will be of benefit to you and your future offspring.

While you may not consider that this the most romantic way to go before ttc, neverthless, it is the most sensible course not just for yourself but for many others.

hiya.
I have an appointment next weds, I'm going to talk to them then. I say we're TTC, we've said we're ready but we've not actively DONE much about it if you know what i mean.
Yup, am taking multi vitamins which seem to have all I need in them. I've been told the pregancy ones are a rip-off, and you can get everything you need from multivits.
And yes, history of mental health problems. I'm hoping any kids will take after my DP and not me in that regard. But I agree, genetic counselling is a good idea.
What do you mean the most sensible course for many others as well? Do you mean others in my position, or my family etc?

This is the NHS guide to recommended daily doses of B group vitamins and folic acid - when planning to ttc it's never too early to start taking these supplements: www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=vitamin%20b&source=web&cd=4&ved=0CJMBEBYwAw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nhs.uk%2FConditions%2Fvitamins-minerals%2FPages%2FVitamin-B.aspx&ei=9SpzT9uXNMeDhQfHsr2mBQ&usg=AFQjCNHjUajGeu24HwyXD-mZTrFrQMJ5yg&cad=rja

When referring to a 'sensible course' I meant that genetic counselling before you ttc is as advisable for you and your dp as it would be for any woman or any couple who has a family history of physical and/or mental health conditions.

Hi shutter - don't take regular vitamins when pregnant or ttc, as they have too much vitamin A in them which is damaging. You can get own-brand conception/pregnancy vitamins quite reasonably these days - good luck :)

Are you on any other meds besides prozac? Some meds aren't safe in pregnancy. I would discuss with your MH team as soon as you get the chance.

Carpe: I'm not on prozac. I said my old GP only ever wanted to prescribe that. I am going to talk to my guy next week about coming off the olanzapine. Which will be hard.
Thank you Izzy and Popcorn (great name) for the vitamins advice!