I would like to talk to other mom's who have dealt or who are dealing with postpartum depression. I was diagnosed almost twelve months postpartum. Would just like to know that I'm not alone.
Thank you everyone for the support and advice. I would like to respond to each of you personally, but as most of you know having children makes it tough to get a minute to think let alone get on the computer for longer than five minutes! But my goal is to do just that. I was diagnosed with severe postpartum depression and anxiety when my son was about 11 months old. He is now 13 1/2 months. I had let it go for so long, to ashamed to say anything to anyone. I was trying to be super mom, super wife, super perfect everything. I'm very lucky that it didn't affect my son. I faked it until I made it the best I could, to make sure I always had a smile on my face for him. I am now on medication and in therapy, my therapist is wonderful, she has really opened my eyes and has calmed my need to be "super mom". When I was first diagnosed I was in disbelief, here I am almost a year postpartum, I couldn't believe it. It made me feel so much worse. Like I was really really alone. I used to tell my husband that postpartum depression is a very lonely battle. And at first is was, until I started to let my him and my family help me, and reach out to people, and to site's like this one, so I know that it doesn't have to be a lonely battle. I am doing better, like some of you said you have to take it day by day, some days are good others not so good. I am now determined to get through this. Thank you to each of you, you have helped me more than you know.
Hi J.,
I've got a sister who has 3 girls and has suffered with PPD with all of them. After number 1 was so bad, the nutritionist put her on a good b-complex vitamin supplement. With babies 2 and 3 she said the PPD was manageable as long as she took her supplements. Hope this helps. K.
I had postpartum depression when my daughter was born. She's 15 wks so I'm not through it yet but there are good days and bad days. I don't know if it is the same for you but the reason I got hit so hard is because I have no support system other than my husband. Wonderful guy but he's still only one mortal man. My doctor said that you have to remember that in the old days giving birth to a child and raising them was a whole community experience and women would gather amongst each other to support one another. I haven't succeeded yet but my best advice is find yourself a strong support system if you can.
Hi J.! I have 2 daughters and I did not have PPD with my first, but with my second it hit me hard. You are not alone!! I can attest to that. Exercise did the most for me when I went through it and now that I am pregnant with my 3rd baby, I may get it again. I did go back to school when my 2nd daughter was about 2 and it was the best thing I could have ever done. Good for you!
You are NOT alone!!!! You said, "I was diagnosed...", so you've been brave enough to seek help and treatment. Keep it up, keep your head held high and use the support of your family and friends!
I have two boys, and had post-partum w/ both. Alot of us have been there and make it through to the other side!
You can always email me here if you want.
Oh J., what you are going through is tough but oh so curable. Life WILL get better, I promise! This is one topic that I feel like an expert in. Please contact me if you would like to talk. I've been there many times with terrible depression, anxiety & insomnia and I feel like finally I know how to treat & prevent. I am so passionate about helping others going through this. My baby boy is 12 months old so we also have that in common :) Oh, I also work part time, training for a new career & also have a wonderful hubby :)
Maybe I am not the person to talk to because I am bipolar and that made my situation different. However, I had a peiod of post-partum with my son which was quickly quelched by my psychiatrist. FYI my son is now 3-1/2. I can't take antidepressants because they have adverse effects on bipolars. However, almost all of my friends who are 'normal' had post partum in varying strengths. You are in a higher strength since it has gone on so long. My best advice is to find a psychiatrist and therapist. No that doesn't mean you are crazy. The combo is maybe meds but definately talk therapy learning coping skills. DO NOT go to your family physician, it has been mine and my friends experience that they don't know much about psychological problems. Case in point, a friend of mine had really bad post partum coupled with major anxiety that left her inable to deal with things and her family doctor prescribed only an antidepressant. It did not help. You see anxiety can be a part of the depression but that class of meds doesn't cover everything. In your case, maybe they would but you should see a psychiatrist because post partum is in their specialty field. THey know a lot! Shop around ask around for recommendations for which one to go to. You shouldn't still be going through this. You are not alone! So many of us mothers have been there. Look for local support groups. THere are even support groups on-line. Use every resource there is out there. I wish you well. Please post your progress, I really want to know how you are doing.
I had PPD after giving birth to both of my children. After I had my second child, I was even worse than the first time. At my six week check-up I talked to my OB about it. She prescribed antidepressants and sent me on my merry way. I never took them. There was no follow-up appointment set to see how I was doing. Nothing. I felt so alone. I decided not to take the pills as I was so afraid of what they would do to my breastfeeding baby. I didn't want to put anything in her body that didn't need to be there. I tried to combat it on my own, it didn't really work.
When my daughter was two, I decided to see a family physician for my problem and once again they prescribed antidepressants. I was on them for two days when I started getting weird side effects. I immediately stopped taking them and crushed them up and threw them in the garbage. I decided I had to do this on my own. I began believing in myself and the power I had to control my actions and thoughts. I began going to the store ALONE at night and used this as my alone time. I had a few close friends, but they always seemed to be busy and HAPPY. I found GOD. I found myself. I picked myself up out of the trenches and decided to move forward.
I am not saying that everyone can do that, it was hard. I had the determination and the drive to find my inner happiness. No, everyday is not peaches and cream, but I am working towards that day. I seriously haven't cried in over a year, when I used to cry at least two to three times A DAY! Find a hobby that will make you happy. Go on dates with your husband. Spend time in prayer. Spend time reading about how to be a better wife and mother, as we all know that there is always room for growth. I found a few blogs that I read on a daily basis that inspire me to be the best mom and wife I can be. There are other blogs that have helped me realize that we don't have to be perfect in an imperfect world.
I am sorry that you are dealing with this. A knot has grown in my throat reliving the days of my past. Believe in yourself, you are a valuable, beautiful being and I am sure that there are many people that love you and are willing to be with you through this journey. My husband was my rock.
Hello J.,
I suffered from this after my daughter was born (June 2006). I have since found that it was probably correlated to my hypothyroidism disease and could have been helped or prevented had someone checked my thyroid. Pregnancy can do crazy things to your thyroid and also trigger hypothyroidism which has very similar symptoms to depression and can have depression as a symptom. I took Zoloft for a about 4 months and weaned myself off of it because of the side effects I was having and had bouts of it (not as bad as at first)on and off for 3 years until my hypothyroidism was discovered in february of this year.
The post-partum part of the depression (was really bad for me for about 5 months after my daughter's birth) was like a nightmare. I really got scared when I envisioned leaving my baby or hurting her and it makes me cry to this day to think about it. That is when I had to tell my husband and my mom and dad that I was concerned I was not right. Thankfully my family was so supportive because I could not have gotten through without them. My doctor said I could not be left alone with my daughter for fear of me losing control and doing something irrational so my parents were with me almost 24/7 (when my husband was at work) for almost 5 months. It was the hardest thing I have ever gone through but can safely say we all came out wonderful in the end and I am not afraid it happening this time around.
My advise is to talk to people. Not only does it make you feel better but it offers other advise and help that is logical when your mind is not at its best.
J.
I am sure by the responses here that you are not alone.
most women suffer from it in 1 form or another. some severe and some just an occasional day here and there. you didnt state how severe you are suffering.
ask for help. does your hubby realize how you feel? your friends? or even me? call me if you woud like to talk. no I am not a doctor or even trained in this but I do have a tendency to calm and soothe people during depression bouts.
just e-mail me and I will give you my number. I will not let you suffer alone
Hi J.-
I was diagnosed with severe PPD at a few months postpartum and nearly ended up hospitalized. You are NOT alone. I have an entire blog dedicated to my experiences with it- it's been a very long year. You can find it at:
www.surprisinglysane.com
Look under the archives page, it all started in January. It's been a tough road. I understand how you feel. Please don't be afraid to seek help if you can't deal with it on your own.
T.
I know of a couple excellent foods to combat depression. I am a certified herbal consultant so if you are interested in my suggestions feel free to contact me back.
