post partum depression

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  • kbmnurse
    kbmnurse Posts: 2,484 Member
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    My suggestion is to call your PCP or GYN MD and discuss your symptoms. Since it has been 4 months I would think some intervention is in order. Please get help ASAP. PPD is nothing to take lightly. Too many horrible stories about woman experiencing PPD and not taking it seriously with horrible consequences.
  • Marcia315
    Marcia315 Posts: 460 Member
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    Yes, some people have suicidal tendencies on antidepressants. Most don't.

    I'm sorry, but a depression caused by a chemical imbalance is not something you can think happy thoughts out of. Been there, done that, have the t-shirt.
  • cebreisch
    cebreisch Posts: 1,340 Member
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    Go see the doctor for "happy pills". I was the same way - totally lethargic, couldn't talk to anybody without bawling uncontrollably.

    You won't have to take them for very long - just for a few weeks....just enough for your body to reset itself from having had a baby recently.

    (And congrats!)
  • SapiensPisces
    SapiensPisces Posts: 992 Member
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    You should go see your doctor so he can give you meds for that. You can't just snap out of PPD you have to be treated for it.

    ^ This. PPD is very serious.
  • alishareece
    alishareece Posts: 1
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  • Tabby1216
    Tabby1216 Posts: 56 Member
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    Hi. So sorry to hear that you are going through PPD. After my twins, I went through PPD. It didn't set in until they were a few months old. The only thing that I found to help was getting outside more and finding things that made me happy and making a point to do those things. I tried medication for a few months and HATED how it made me feel. If you'd like, you can friend me or send me a PM anytime.
  • greengoddess0123
    greengoddess0123 Posts: 417 Member
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    I'm so sorry about your sister. That must have been a terrible experience for your whole family.

    I'm still going to echo the sentiments of most of the others here and say please see a doctor about this. There are lots of different anti-depressant medications and each one affects the body and brain differently (and from person to person each drug affects people differently). Being against all medications because one caused life-threatening side effects doesn't make sense. A doctor who specializes in depression disorders can help diagnose you (there are different kinds of depression) and find the right medication if she feels that is necessary.

    Nowadays I manage my depression with a regular schedule (same bedtime and wake up time each day), nutritious food, lots of exercise, and sunlight. There was a time when chemicals were required to regulate my brain so that I didn't spend each day crying uncontrollably, or have to use all my energy somehow just getting out of bed. You probably won't have to be on them forever, but they can help, especially during the continuous hormonal tsunami that is post-pregnancy.

    Even if you refuse medication (been there, too), please go see a doctor. If you have a regular doctor, go see them first (your problem could be something like your thyroid, which the regular doc can help with). If a regular physical exam doesn't satisfy you or your doctor, they can recommend a specialist (like a psychiatrist) from there.

    My PPD was so bad, it's one reason my son is (and will always be) an only child. I would not wish that hell on my worst enemy.

    Please seek help. And good luck to you. :heart:
  • Alassonde
    Alassonde Posts: 228 Member
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    I had postpartum depression really bad after my third child. I don't react well to antidepressants, but I tried several. They either upset my stomach or gave me such bad anxiety I couldn't handle anything. This was what worked for me when the medication didn't:
    -ask for help when needed
    -talk to someone, a best friend or a counselor, someone who can really understand (not usually the husband....)
    -make time for yourself: if you have any hobbies, don't give them up completely for the kids
    -don't pressure yourself and expect yourself to be perfect.

    I did have to learn to let some things go and ask for help with some of the overwhelming things. Getting away by myself for a while really helped. I also have lots of hobbies that I had put aside when we started having kids; I took some of them up again and even started a new one.
    Those are the things that worked for me, it did eventually get better and I started feeling like a person again. I think the most important thing is to not completely lose yourself in your family; you still need to do things just for you.
  • happysummerrunner
    happysummerrunner Posts: 66 Member
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    I was on anti-depresants for anxiety for 18 months and I had severe negative side effects. I finally gave up on trying to "get it just right" as the doctors kept saying. I went to a new doctor and informed him I wanted support while going off of the medication and stopped taking the medicine. AND I went to counseling. It helped and I was able to get better. :)

    Then a few years later I had a baby and had PPD. Because of my previous bad experience I did not want to go on medication. I went to counseling and it helped some.(Especially counseling that focuses on healthy lifestyle changes and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.) I didn't feel all better back to myself until my baby started sleeping through the night and I started getting 8 hours of sleep every night. This happened at about 9 months after we did some sleep training... (I read Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child).

    Just wanted to say- I'm sorry you have PPD and I hope you get better soon! I felt like my depression would never end but it did! :) Try to get the support that you need. Talk to family/friends for support and any other support you can get. Seeing a counselor was helpful for me, medication was not. I know medicine has really helped other people and I'm happy for them. It just didn't work for me.

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