Thriving as a parent with a bipolar disorder

Newly diagnosed

If you’re first diagnosed with bipolar after giving birth, you may be feeling concerned about how this might affect your life and experience as a parent.

The most important thing is that you feel safe and supported.

Being diagnosed with bipolar or any mental health condition can feel upsetting, particularly when you are a new parent. You may feel some grief as you come to terms with the news.

Talking to someone can help.

PANDA offers you the chance to have a safe, caring and confidential chat about how you’re feeling.

Children benefit from having parents who have lived a full life, including mental health and wellbeing challenges. As your baby grows, they will learn how to navigate life’s sunny and stormy moments too, with you as their guide. 

Sleep

Quality and duration of sleep are an important part of your mental health and wellbeing maintenance routine. Getting enough sleep is a big priority for parents with a bipolar disorder. 

Sleep is closely linked to the onset of mania and depressive symptoms:

Mania > feeling a decreased need for sleep 

Depression > needing to sleep more, fatigued all the time 

Asking for as much help as possible is one of the best ways to manage sleep disturbance.

For example:

• Sharing overnight feeds with a partner or support person where possible (if baby will take a bottle).
• Help during the night to change baby’s nappy and settle them back to sleep.
• Help to care for baby during the day so that you can rest.
• Asking someone to take care of looking after other children or household tasks during the day so that you can focus on feeding baby and resting.

Sleep disturbance in the early months often improves as your baby grows and settles into their own sleep routine.

More sleep resources

Treatment and options

There are many effective support options available. 

Suicide risk for parents with bipolar may increase during the perinatal period. Feeling overwhelmed, trapped, and a lack of sleep can sometimes compound feelings of helplessness. It’s important you reach out and tell someone how you’re feeling. We know that one conversation can save a life.

Call PANDA on 1300 726 306 to talk to someone confidentially. 

You can also contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 any time of the day or night.

Bipolar or postnatal psychosis

It’s important to know that people with a personal or family history of bipolar disorders are at increased risk of experiencing postnatal psychosis, a rare but serious condition that is a mental health emergency. 

Things that can contribute to postnatal psychosis include:

• family members with a history of postnatal psychosis 
• severe sleep deprivation
• the rapid hormonal changes after birth
• physical stress of giving birth (particularly if there are other medical problems)
• having a preexisting diagnosis of bipolar disorder

There is a relationship between postnatal psychosis and bipolar disorder.

Mothers/birthing parents who already have a diagnosis of bipolar are at higher risk of experiencing postnatal psychosis, while some mothers/birthing parents may receive a new diagnosis of bipolar following an experience of postnatal psychosis for the first time.

However, sometimes postnatal psychosis is an isolated episode.

Postnatal psychosis can be very scary as it often comes on very quickly and may involve an altered sense of reality. It can be difficult to tell the difference between what’s real and things your brain may be perceiving that aren’t grounded in our shared reality. 

The signs of postnatal psychosis can look like the two extremes of bipolar: mania, elevated mood and decreased need for sleep but also deep depression with thoughts of suicide.

If you are concerned about your partner or a loved one’s safety, someone will need to stay with them until you seek help. The infant (and any other children) should not be left alone with the unwell parent until they have accessed help and treatment. Please reach out to a trusted friend or family member for help with primary care needs of the infant (and any other children).

There are lots of supports available:

• Call PANDA’s National Helpline – 1300 726 306 
• Take them to see a GP, or arrange a telehealth appointment
• Call the Mental Health Triage service in your area for advice
• Take them to the nearest hospital emergency department
• Find further services in your area via Head to Health

It’s important to understand that early intervention saves lives, and most parents experience excellent recovery with the right support and care.

If you are concerned about the immediate safety of mother/birthing person or baby, you may need to call 000 for an ambulance or the police. It’s important to call 000 if they are refusing any other type of help and you have safety concerns.

Support for you and your family 

Good support can make the world of difference during pregnancy and early parenthood. If you have a partner, family and/or friends supporting you and your baby, it’s a great idea to share your wellbeing plan with them. 

Writing a wellbeing plan is a great tool that can empower you to make decisions about the care you want to receive if you experience concerning changes to your mental health, daily function or general wellbeing. Your plan can include your personal signs and symptoms, and what your family and friends should look out for. It can also include information about what you would like your support people/care providers to do. 

Make sure your close family and friends understand your condition and how it affects you.

Sharing this plan with your trusted team of caregivers can help you feel protected, supported and in control of your own personal recovery. 

Things to include in your wellbeing plan: 

• What medication you take 
• Signs and symptoms of concerning changes to your mental health 
• What you consent to and what you do not consent to 
• Your self-care preferences 
• Your mental health care preferences 
• Your social care preferences