does anyone know of any ways to deal with postpartum depression/anxiety? I don't want to take medicine for it, and I can't really afford therapy right now. also, do you know how long it usually lasts? It's been a couple of months now for me. It makes sense that I have it, I never react well to hormone changes, I had problems when I was on hormonal birth control too, and so was quick to give that up. I've looked at http://www.postpartum.net/ which has some really good information about it, as well as the sticky here. does anyone have personal experience with ppd? I don't really know what I'm looking for. Any advice y'all have, I guess. Thanks in advance.
Are you into trying herbal supplements? Honestly, I'm not sure how well they work, but some people do say that they find relief from them. I think I've heard that Kava Kava, St. John's Wort, 5-HTP and Sam-E are all OTC supps that can help with depression and anxiety. But I know that there are other girls here who can give you much better info about all of that.
Also, just do the simple things that you need to do to take care of yourself. Eat well, because you can't possibly feel good when you're running on fumes. If you can find the chance, do exercise. This can do WONDERS for your mood, truly. Try to find time to take a bath or relax alone for a bit. Maybe you could find a less-busy day to do your hair or put on a favorite outfit, because sometimes just feeling better about yourself or your appearance can lift your spirits a bit.
You may not be able to totally shake the PPD by doing these things - I mean PPD can be serious for some people, and I don't want to minimize that - but taking some simple steps might at least reduce the tension for you, you know?
I say to get treatment.
I had PPD after my second child. I was aware of what it was but also felt "in control" enough to handle it. He was born a few weeks after Andrea Yates drowned her children, so I was frightened that if i talked to my doctor, he would over-react and take my children.
I never hurt either of my kids because of PPD but it kept me from bonding with my son. He was 3 years old before I actually felt like a mother to him. I remember hardly ANYTHING about his early days.
Looking back, the money it would have cost to see a professional, and the discomfort of treatment are nothing compared to losing 3 years of my life.
My experience is somewhat similar to BCPR except I still haven't really bonded with my son and he is 3. After my son was born I had no appetite and no energy, then I got insomnia and had trouble taking care of my son. My mom and my boyfriend would go to work in the morning and I'd be left at home all day with my son, but I'd have just gone to sleep about an hour or two before they left and often times I'd just sleep through half the day and my son wouldn't get fed for hours. Some days I'd be able to wake up earlier and when my son would cry I'd feel so helpless and frustrated. I felt so guilty inside. I sometimes thought it would just be easier if I could go to sleep and never wake up. I also had panic attacks and I'd just lose control of my emotions and throw things. I remember throwing the infant seat (my son wasn't in it of course) at the door after my boyfriend left one morning and I remember throwing a dish on the floor and other things when I got frustrated and angry.
I don't remember exactly how old my son was, I think about 6 months or older before I saw a doctor, but by then I knew I needed help. My boyfriend found me a doctor and scheduled me for an appointment. I was put on the antidepressant Celexa and as well as Trazodone for my insomnia and they both helped enourmously. In a little under a year my insomnia was completely gone and I was able to control my emotions better. I realized that being a stay at home mom was not working for me and ever since I've had a job outside of home. I don't think I would've gotten better as quickly if I hadn't gone to the doctor, but everyone is different. I don't know about herbal supplements and I can't say they don't work for anyone, but in my situation I found medication very helpful and I'm been off of it for a long time and I'm practically a completely different person.
Suzaan, this is a wonderful point! I think sometimes women feel like just because they are mothers, they are supposed to enjoy and be good at full-time motherhood. Like any job or skillset, it's not for everyone.
If you need to take classes or work full or part time to survive motherhood, there is NOTHING wrong with that.
like IHD said- excersie can help soo much!! getting out and taking a walk, i know after i had my son i had (and still have i am still working through it) HORRIBLE PPD. my son was adopted after he was born so that may have had some to do with the sevarity of the PPD, but i notice even now getting out of the house and getting fresh air and excersing helps greatly!!
I had no energy and no desire to get up and do anything when I had PPD. Exercise probably would've helped, but at the time I don't think I had the strength to do it. It's a great suggestion though. I wish I didn't have to take medicine to get better, but I'm just glad I'm better.
Alternatives might've worked for me if I had tried them sooner.
i used to hate using meds, i even quit cold turkey and it was the most horrid week ive had in a long time. the way i see it, if i have to take a little pill to be happy, so be it, i can be ok with that for now.
mids have made a total difference in my life
Thanks for all of the suggestions. I am definitely trying to get more excercize, and am (i hope!!!!!) going to get a job at a nursery school. So I can still be with my baby but also have adult company at the same time.
The reason I say I don't want to take medicine is not because I have some problem with the idea of taking meds (I agree with you erinn that if I have to take a pill to be happy I can deal with that) it is because most of my past experience with medication hasn't worked very well with my body chemistry. I don't know why, meds have just usually hurt me more than they've helped in the situations I've taken them in. They've done wonders for people around me, so I know that they can be really good for some people, just not for me. I'm also nursing right now and don't want to take anything that could get in my breastmilk. I don't want to do the herbal supplements for the same reason (I don't know about the others, but I've heard that kava kava is should not be drunk by nursing mamas.)
Anyway. Thanks. All of your responses have been very helpfull, I really appreciate all of the advice.