Mood swings

I am 29 years old and just had my third child 4 months ago.  Lately I have been having pretty severe mood swings or mood changes.  I seem to be able to handle big issues just fine, but if the littlest thing is out of order I fly off the handle.  I have had this problem for awhile even before having my children, but it didn't seem to be so bad.  I also have times when I feel really good about life and everything, and then times where I am just depressed.  Not over the top depressed, but just down.  I don't know if I am blowing this out of proportion or is there really a problem?  It is getting on my nerves and my husbands though.  And when I get angry at my older children for stupid little things, I feel terribly guilty because I know it isn't right.  I would love for this to stop so my question is what should I do?  Is this normal or a problem?  Thanks.

[wickedwanderer]

this sounds like what i'm experiencing too right now - extreme mood swings and lots of agitation.   my doctor put me on lamictal a few weeks ago to help even out my moods.  this week though, i've just been sooo agitated with every little thing that really shouldn't bother me!!  

other than something being biologically "messed up," you are probably a little stressed out w/ having 3 kids, especially since one is a newborn.  i would take that into consideration too.  try talking to your doctor.  it could be something post-partum, but like you said, you experienced this problem before the kids came along.  talking to your doc would be the best bet and really stress what you are feeling.  even write down how you feel and what happens that makes you feel that way and show it to your doc.

good luck...keep me posted.  i'm still waiting for the lamictal to kick in and help w/ this.

[Venora Moonwind]

Congrats on your new baby.now at the risk of sounding a little doctory your syptoms (symptoms) snoun like you ma be bi polar.I was much like you before I had babies always swingin back and forth in my emotions but it got worse after I had children. then it got worse as I aged for some reason well I have been bi polar all my life only I Ijsut got dx in 98.
Go to a mental health care professional and get evaluated.Only they will be able to tell or not.
In the meantime and I know this is hard but try to spend some "ME " time even if you go for a walk for 30 minustes a day this will help raise your seritonin and help y0ou feel better. it is hard to take care of your loved ones if you dont take care of yourself first.and with 3 kids I know the me time is in short supply.
Let me know how you are My prayers and thoughts are with you. come to the forum anytine you need to talk.I will be here.
Love Venora

[hjbcab]

I am new here on this forum, but you and I  are living the same life!  I am 28 years old and a mother of 3 young boys... 5, 3 and 10 months.  I have been looking all through this forum, trying to find someone that has the same "things" as me.  I am on anti-depressants, and have been for some time, but nothing seems to get rid of the ANGER!  I guess I never considered being bi-polar.  Maybe that is something "we" need to look into?  Heather

[patticake17]

I'm new also, I'm 49 now, but my kids are the same ages apart as yours. Just older now, plus two more boys 14 and 12. I'v always had problems with anger. I've been on different antidepressants for years: Zoloft, Effexor, Wellbutrin, Prozac, and now a combination of Lexapro(20mg.) & Lamictal(25mg.) which I have found to finally work on my anger. I really don't get depressed, I've just had a problem with feeling like my head is going to expode. I know it runs in my family because my Dad and two of my siblings were or are the same way. I think finding the right meds. for the anger problem is difficult because they want to treat you for Depression anyway. This combination has finally let my husband and I, and rest of the family, live in peace from my exploding. Downside is the weight gain which has been about 25 pounds in the last 4 years.