PMDD or Bipolar?

I have been diagnosed with PMDD in my mid forties and have recently discovered a history of bipolar disorder on both mine and my husband's side of the family. In doing some research and reading books on this disorder, it seems like most of the symptoms are the same in both disorders. The only real difference I can see if the frequency of the cycles as women with PMDD cycle pretty much every month where those with bipolar disorder cycle much less frequently.

For PMDD, the treatment is with anti-depressants which are a big no-no for those with bipolar disorder. Since the symptoms of bipolar and PMDD seem so similar, why are anti-depressants the choice of treatment rather than mood stabilizers?

[DLA]

Since when are anti-depressants a no-no for BP's?  I take them every single day and can't live without them.

Apparently I don't know that much about PMDD, but I thought it came with bad physical symptoms as well.

[Barb925]

I agree with DLA. I also take an anti-depressent and have bipolar depression. Have you seen a psychiatrist or gone to a counselor. If not, you may want to consider it.

Good Luck and God Bless

Barb

[wahmliz]

Ok, so what I read in The Bipolar Child must be incorrect. Their advice is that children suspected of being bipolar should not be given either anti-depressants for stimulants as this can cause the symptoms of bipolar can become more severe.

I had an appt with the psychiatrist today who is a licensed child and adult psychiatrist. Her diagnosis for me concurred the prior one of PMDD and my daughter of probable ADHD, but that that didn't mean it wasn't masking over bipolar, which could break out in her teens just a few years down the road.

Her recommend of treatment for me is Prozac or Sera something (new name given to Prozac). For my daughter, she wanted to used a stimulant. I declined this and told her I want to hold off for a year or so to see what happens. She is REAL close to starting her menses and I would rather err on being too cautious than kicking myself later on.

What are your suggestions?

Liz

[wahmliz]

Oops! Should say "either anti-depressants or stimulants".

Liz

[pennylanebt]

ADs can make Bipolar worse in some cases.  Not just in children, in adults as well.  I'm living proof.  The regular SSRI's didn't 'bother' me, but the SNRI's make my BP worse.  

Just my .03.  :)

Kim

[hell1971]

I dont know what PMDD is but I went manic in an AD and this is how my Bipolar was diagnosed, my daughter 9years old diagnosed with GAD ( Generalised Anxiety Disorder ) was against my better judgement put onto prozac and she went manic, like mother like daughter, she has now been diagnosed with Bipolar, she is now on a mood stabalizer but it took a while for her manic behaviour to calm down even thought she had come off the prozac straight away. So I would be cautious, question the medication she is put on etc...

Not all Bipolar people react with an AD but they say caution should be taken with BP people because it can cause a manic episode and indeed make the desease worse, it is recomended that it be given with a mood stabiliser.