I am thinking of getting therapy but I am pregnant.

[Kione]

So the backstory is I have suffered with low self-esteem and more recently with Premenstrual Disphoric Disorder, and I have been taking antidepressants which made it "kind of" better. So I stopped taking them when TTC and I am 25 weeks pregnant now. The horrifying moods and dark thoughts went for the first few months but this weekend has been terrible. Still, not as bad as PMDD, but it is the first time my DP lost his temper in our 10 years together. He apologised and I am sure thinks is my hormones.
Could be. But with my history I am not sure. I am looking up to have psychotherapy but I wonder if the hormones ARE part to blame and I'll be wasting my money.
I just don't think I can cope with feeling like this. We are engaged yet I don't want to marry, I am regretting this second pregnancy and I am just feeling utterly miserable. I feel like I am going mad.
I wonder if anyone has been in this situation or similar or do you have any thoughts about tackling old MH issues while pregnant. I

Thanks for reading.

[ElspethFlashman]

Actually I think it's the opposite - I think you can't afford not to tackle MH issues whilst pregnant.

Cos it's a difficult time and it is triggering. But more importantly it can cascade to a crisis very easily.

I think it would be helpful to feel in control a bit more and therapy may give you that. Hormones do not mean you have to career up and down their rollercoaster. If you have mental strength you can put the brakes on a bit and guide yourself to a safe speed that is manageable.

[Kione]

Thanks a lot for the reply. I just think sometimes my moods are not "real" but a result of hormonal imbalance. If that makes more sense, in which case I think I'd waste my money. But you are right, I had them beforehand too. I will definitely get in touch with a couple of therapists and see what they say. We are also saving for a wedding and it is a lot of money so I want it to be worthwhile.

Thanks again.

[ElspethFlashman]

Pregnancy can make you moody.....but when it starts to really affect your day, when you become miserable, when you feel like you're going mad, when you regret getting pregnant etc.....then that's not hormones, that's antenatal depression which is extremely common.

And it needs to be treated cos it doesn't necessarily plateau but can escalate very badly and can remain after birth and become post natal depression and can destroy your life for a long time.

So I don't think this is just hormones, though it may have been initially triggered by them, if you know what I mean.

[Kione]

Yes i understand what you mean. I have a GP appointment today, no related just to ask for some paperwork but I can discuss it with her.
Still I prefer a private therapist as I work closely with the mental health team in the area.
Still, thanks a lot for your encouragement.

[Kione]

Well the GP is referring me to the midwife with experience in antenatal depression. She didn't say what is she properly called.
And we take it from there.