Postpartum Bipolar Disorder
Postpartum Bipolar Disorder involves experiencing high highs and low lows, with onset within days or weeks of giving birth. High moods are also known as mania or hypomania, and low moods include depression symptoms. Hypomania is a milder presentation of mania, which involves high energy behavior that impacts functioning.
You might feel...
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Manic
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Agitated or euphoric
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Like you don't need to sleep
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Your thoughts racing
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As though you can accomplish anything
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Extremely talkative
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Impulsive
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Depressed​
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Extremely tired​
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Hopeless
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Extra sleepy or unable to sleep
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Guilt and shame about being a "bad mom"
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Like you can't stop crying
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Very hungry or not hungry at all
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Disinterested in spending time with loved ones
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Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II
There is more than one kind of Postpartum Bipolar Disorder. The biggest difference is how long symptoms of mania last and how disruptive they are to your functioning. ​A shorter duration of manic behavior that doesn't impact functioning is Bipolar II Disorder. This condition is often misdiagnosed as postpartum depression.
