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Dealing with post-natal depression

Dealing with post-natal depression

Post-natal depression woman newborn tired depressed

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I had post-natal depression after my first child and was prescribed anti-depressants by my GP. They took a while, but eventually started working. During this time my mum booked me an aromatherapy session while she looked after the baby. It was so relaxing that afterwards I bought some aromatherapy oils from The Body Shop (£3.50 each) to have at home.
Anna Botts, 42, Edgware, Middlesex

I have had post-natal depression twice (I have three children) and was constantly told that it was essential to get some time for 'myself'. The problem is that my husband is in the army and away a lot of the time, and I also live about 400 miles away from family. I got very angry with people who assumed there was someone on hand to give me a break! A lot of my friends had young children and absent partners too, so I felt I couldn't turn to them too much either. There is no miracle cure, but thankfully I had a great health visitor who told me about an internet support group. The fact that I could email my 'buddy' (assigned to me by the group) often made a huge difference and stopped me from becoming isolated.
Sandra Frame, 36, Bicester, Oxfordshire

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Jennifer

11:34 PM on 15 February, 2009

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hi everyone,i really feel for you all. i have suffered post natal depression for five years. shortly after the birth of my daughter i began to feel anxious and scared to go out because i thought everyone was looking at me! i feel i just totally let my daugher down and always feel she deserves better,i had another baby six months ago and i love him to bits but my fear of going out is getting worse and when i eventually do go out i'm paranoid people will think i'm a bad mum. i totally broke down the other nite and told my husband, i still don't think he realises how bad it is, but i have decided to be brave and tell my doctor.cause no one should have to live like this! i wish you all well and please don't suffer in silence, our lives are too short and too precious,luv to you all x

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canan

11:46 PM on 19 November, 2008

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i have pnd after my 2nd child, she is 3 month old now and i have pnd more than 1 month. i have been seen my healthy visitor she told me it will get better but its takes a bit of time, i feel so bad but i can say im getting better slowly, i hope every body who had pnd will get better, i feel scared sometimes and sometimes i dont want to hear my child voice, and i feel lot of pain i get so hot,, im taking paracatemol with my anti deppression tablets everyday, if i get better i will write it down again

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Dawn T

11:55 AM on 24 October, 2008

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Quick message for Michelle. Don't know how long ago you posted but I really hope you went to HV/ GP. if not - go! PND is NOT the same as normal depression & does not look bad on records for anything. PND is horemones & lack of sleep & all other kinds of stress thrown in. All it does mean is further down the road in your nursing career - you may be able ot help someone else who has it recognise it in themselves. I am a mum of 4, the youngest being 11 mth old twin boys. I thought I was doing swimmingly- but on catching up with other twin mums I realised I wasn't. I am a coper. I don't not cope. I was coping. But I wasn't myself. I was diagnosed with PND, I am coming off the medication 6 months later- & I am me. You can take st johns wort instead. but please- see your doc!

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Michelle

12:32 PM on 3 July, 2008

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Post natal depression i seem to be told by everyone i may have although im not sure. I have two beautiful children a 5 year old boy who is hard work at times although aren't they all at this age. I have a 9 week old baby who i couldn't love enough. My marriage ended when pregnant and i have spent the pregnancy alone - meeting a new partner who offers me unconditional support always only makes it harder - strange? i guess my reason for saying that is i feel he deserves more than taking me and two young children on. I am low yes i agree with my friends - i feel positive one day and at my lowest the next - never have i felt any negative feelings towards the children and this is one of the reasons i am unsure as to whether it's post natal depression or just my circumstances that make me feel low. I am a student nurse and have to re-commence my studies next week leaving my newborn in a nursery as my marriage ending forced me to buy the house in order to keep something the same for my eldest as bad enough daddy was living somewhere new. My ex husband financially supports my eldest, however believes a newborn only needs milk, nappies and clothes to which he expects me to ask for when i need it - I will not at all as independent and dont feel i should have too - i have absolutly no family support other than three friends who have busy successful lifes with no or little time. I dont want to be in the house - but have no where to go if go out. I cry and get low to the point i have thoughts i know are wrong of ending my life although i know my kids need me as have no one else. Does that sound bad? writting it makes me feel i am someone else. As for GP/Health visitor i dont want anyone to see i am not coping as its the me i am not coping with never my children. I feel i am trying so hard to give the boys a good life however struggling to juggle it alone but at same time so used to having no support i hate taking support. I have always been the rock to everyone else, helping who i can and giving my all not the other way around and it upsets me i have become what i say is mentally unstable. I feel ugly, fat and worthless then i will feel sexy and great - what is going on???? I cant approach my doctor or health visitor as am trainning to be a nurse and if on record not good - i then for the next however many years on any application have to tick that depression box and explain myself and why should we have to - i believe depression/anxiety/post natal depression should be open and mothers can discuss and gain support without feeling it will be frowned upon and questioned in careers. No wonder there is so many of us writting alone on web pages hey. Anyhow thats my story - i love my boys and am struggling emotionally with the ups and downs of what may just be everyday troubles and strains - does that mean i am mentally inbalanced or have post natal depression - guess fact a have a newborn baby only reason people assume it's this as without my baby i would properly still struggled emotionally and it be seen as depression or manic depressive???? If any one has an answer or advice i would appreciate it.

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Sharon M

7:50 PM on 21 May, 2008

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I have 2 children a boy who is 7 and a girl who is 6 months. i have been feeling really low the past few weeks, i hate to look in the mirror and see this person who is not usually me looking back. I am tired constantly and always wonder how i will cope when i go back to work in July. I cry a lot, i know i should really speak to my health visitor or my doctor but i do not want them to think i cannot cope. I love my children very much and i want to be with them all the time. its just myself i am unhappy with..

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dawn

1:50 PM on 8 April, 2008

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postnatal depression,my son is 6 months old my other children are 14 an 11 i feel dull boring an not too bothered about what is going in around me,i feel my kids are leading there own lives because i cant be bothered im taking pills when i think there working, im just chipped back to the block can anyone suggest anything i could try to shift this block thankyou

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kelly Cooper

12:35 AM on 22 March, 2008

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I have been feeling low for the past three or four weeks now. I am unsure as to whether it is actually PND as my son is now 14 weeks old and up until four weeks ago I was totally on top of the world. I have spoken to my partner about it but i dont feel he really understands. The only way I can describe how I feel is sad, it is not in any way directed at my son (i couldnt love him any more than i do now) I look at myself in the mirror and feel ashamed at what is looking back at me, I have developed this fear of leaving the house and I am constantly tired as I seem to be crying or on the verge of tears all the time. I have put off telling my GP or health visitor but i know things cannot continue as they are I am making everyone miserable especially me.

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lisa light 26

9:29 PM on 11 March, 2008

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my son will be 2 in may and my daughter 1 in may and i feel a bad mum as i dont want to go out plus the weather hasnt been all that nice.but then i think thay dont want to be stook in side for most of the week just because of me.

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lisa light

9:22 PM on 11 March, 2008

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hi i have postnatel depression with my 2nd child i have really bad days where i just want scream.i dont think my husband knows how i feel some times as he dosent help things at times.but the funny thing is i really want another baby and i am trying so hard to come of these tablets.i was telling my friend today that i am not takeing my tablets for a week to see how i go and i didnt take 1 yesterday and felt over the moon took 1 today and i dont feel like i did yesterday.has anyone got any advice on what i should do?

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amanda belbin

1:55 PM on 2 October, 2007

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I have suffered with severe PND twice and have two children. My youngest child is now two and I would say that I am my old self again. My advice would be to share your feelings as much as possibe (this stops them from becoming too scarey) with a friend, health visitor or internet support group. Be as easy on yourself as possibe - you cannot help how you feel, it is not your fault. Remember it will get better, you will feel your old self again. Take one day at a time, try and have a plan to help you get through it.

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