post natal depression

[shanequa]

i've recently had baby number two and now i'm suffering from postnatal depression and it's really getting me down. has anybody else suffered from it? i'd really like to hear from anyone who has.

[tammybear]

im sort of just coming out of the end of postnatal depression at the moment shanequa. im trying to get out of it, without the help of anti depressants which is really tough but trying to stay positive which is also very tough how old's your baby?

[shanequa]

my little boy will be 5 weeks on saturday. i went to see my doctor today and she doesn't really want to give me anti depressants as she thinks they create problems of there own.

[tammybear]

awww 5 weeks!! it seems like only yesterday my dd was 5 weeks. (dd stands for darling daughter by the way. there are a lot of abbreviations on here! you'll get the hang of it)

its usually better for you to not be on anti depressants in the long run, as it tends to be really hard to come off them otherwise. my depression is mostly due to problems involving my ex, and money, so as my problems get better, i tend to feel a lot better too. how do you think you're coping?

[shanequa]

some days i cope better than others, then everything seems to get on top of me. also ive moved to my boyfriends town and i dont know anyone so i tend to stay at home all day with the kids, i need to get ou more!

[tammybear]

i know that feeling. i dont know many other mums in my area, but you meet quite a few people on here. you tend to find meet ups which you can go along to and meet the other mumnetters on here. or you could try parent and toddler groups in your area

[tillymint]

Quite often PND can be due to a combination of a sudden drop in hormones, and sleep deprevation. I suffered last year after dd2 was born. My GP put me on a v low doseage of prozac - really helped.
But, having people to chat with is also a big help. If you could find out from your health visitor about any post natal groups of mums with babies of similar age. I get together most weeks with the mums from my group and we are all a support for eachother.
You don't have to do it alone. Your HV is there for you and the baby. Tell her how you feel, she may sednd a counsellor around. I had one with my first baby when I wasn't coping - he was great.
Good luck, You are not alone

[shanequa]

everyone keeps telling me to go to a parent and toddler group, i've been once but all the other mums knew each other and i felt a bit awkward so i never went back. i do feel guilty though cos my little boys 18mths andhe really enjoys playin with other kids.

[MadameButterfly]

Have you tried this site for mus and toddler groups.

[Chinchilla]

Shanequa - Do try the M & T group again. I nearly didn't go back to mine after the first week, and only managed it because I felt so guilty about depriving ds of playtime with other children. It was the making of me, and most of the people I see now have become friends through that group. Just go in with a smile on your face (even if you don't feel like smiling) and meet people's eyes. Ask them questions like 'How old is your son?', and they will soon start to talk to you.

Good luck meeting people. It is scary, but worth it.

[tillymint]

It takes time to make new friends, noone knows how you are feeling. I've met one mum who bravely approached me at the doctors waiting room, and asked if I knew where she could go to meet mums. Very brave I know, but it worked, she now knows plenty of people. She says it was the toughest but most successful thing she's ever done.
NCT usually run coffee mornings for mums all over the country. Call your local NCT group and ask.
BE BRAVE

[shanequa]

thanx for the advice, feelin better