how do you cope?

[Nools1980]

Hi,
How do you who suffer/have suffered coped with challenging episodes? Is there anything in particular you could recommend? I'm struggling with shopping, getting organised and frustration.
Ta

[Berri81]

I take it an hour at a time. A very supportive husband a family helps tremendously. Seriously one hour at a time. There were days i cannot function. I just cry and cry for no reason!! My family does the chores and taking care of the kids while waiting for me to get well. Im still in the midst of AND but it has somehow lessened in intensity. Praying it will completely go away after birth

[suspiciousofgoldfish]

It's scarily easy to get overwhelmed with everything you (think) you have to do and organise.

Take a breath and a step back and try to be realistic about what you can do that day. Don't plan lots of activities.

For example, just popping to the park or local shop can be one daily event.

Get a cleaner or someone close to give you a hand with housework. Do online shopping as much as you can. I didn't bother taking DS shopping after a few stressful episodes - if you don't have to, don't give yourself extra work.

If you forget a job or errand one day it's not the end of the world (but I know it really does feel as though it is!).

And remember that you are not alone, loads of mums go through this. We live in a time when you are expected to breeze through everything baby related and it's just not realistic.