Help! Depressed and anxious

[corona]

Am desparate for some help and advice. I suffered from depression in my 20s which I sorted out with Prozac and Cognitive Beharioural Therapy. Gradually as this pregnancy has gone on I have had to acknowledge that it has come back and I am really really low and also very anxious, my stomach is always in a knot and I am close to tears. I cannot concentrate at work at all and am worried about the effect this will have on the babe.

When I mentioned a history of depression when asked in early midwife appointments they were all over it. I really didn't want any support from them at that point, but finally today, said at my mw appointment that I do feel that I need some support or treatment., all my normal coping mechanisms, going swimming etc aren't working and I need some help. I burst into tears on him because I felt he wasn't really listening or getting it.

I suppose my question really is what sort of treatment can they give? I don't want to subject myself to endless NHS hosp appointments if I'm going to be made to feel like an over-anxious waste of their resources, and if there is nothing they can do, but I know that I can't do this by myself anymore. I don't to leave it because I am worrried that I will still feel down after the birth. And also, does chronic stress and anxiety damage the baby?

I'm desperate to hear from anyone else who might have been through some of this.

BTW, dp is very supportive, and hugs help but there's not much more he can do.

[redz]

Oh honey really feel for you. Ive been feeling really down lately aswell so have an idea how you feel. Just weekend gone closed myself off from my family and friends just didnt want to see anyone but have now realised thats not the way to go about it. If you need to cry everyday then do so. And try and talk about it with someone. I know it feels like you dont want to but it does help. Definately get some advice from your GP or MW im not sure about the medication they can give whilst you are pregnant but at least they will be prepared for when babys born possible signs of pnd.
How far gone are you?
If you ever need to talk or cry at someone you can email me at [email protected]
It will get better

[squishy]

I really feel for you... I'm a huge believer that the therapeutic/counselling route is the most effective, especially if you believe in it. It sounds like CBT helped you before so you probably will have faith in it. Could you go back to the same practitioner? Or could you find another (if I could recommend one from the BACP website who also has a person-centred approach, you'd be guaranteed to a really gentle, empathic response).

As redz says, if you need to cry every day, do so, it takes up far more energy trying not to cry or being close to tears that it does just having a good blurt (which can also release the tension and anxiety, too).

It's great that your DP is supportive and if you can keep communicating, that will really help.

Take care, good luck

[Sredni]

My sister had pnd and got counselling for it which has really helped and she is so much happier now - she got it at the suggestion of her midwife. I've also had depression in the past and asked my midwife about it, and she said they can sort out counselling or medication easily, and also recommended a couple of events the hospital is holding on dealing with stress etc. She also reminded me to get enough sunlight and to take daily exercise, which has always really helped me when I've felt at risk of going back down.

[squishy]

Meant to say, corona, that you might have ante natal depression - there isn't much known about it, but people who are 'prone' to depression are also more prone to this. Make sure you get help, however it seems best. Also meant to say that many counsellors on the BACP website (and I wouldn't get any that aren't registered there) will charge on a sliding scale if you can't afford their regular charge.

[corona]

Thanks all, I feel so much better for hearing that other people know what I'm talking about. I'm 23 weeks Redz, so quite a long time to go if I don't get it sorted! Also really good to remember that exercise, not eating sugary food etc does really help when I'm in danger of going down too

I've just done a search through old threads and found some from people saying that they took anti-depressants throughout their pregnancies, and were fine, so that's reassuring. But I feel like a failure, I just want to be normal!

Also, one of the things that upset me in that mw appointment was that he said he would give my details to the team at the hosp that deals with ante/post natal depression and they would call if they thought it necessary and it really bothered me. It's only now that I can see it's because it completely takes control away from me - it's a big deal for me to ask for help, as I reckon it must be for most people suffering from depression and to feel that you might not get the help you need is really horrible. Didn't want to spell out to him how bad it is because frankly, I could see that he couldn't do anything about it. Perhaps I should have let him have it. Anyway. I'll go to my GP, she is really good.

Did people find that there was a link between ante and post natal depression? Any thoughts on that would be appreciated
x

[carrotcake]

A good friend of mine got quite depressed during 4th pregnancy, after suffering pnd with her 3rd, and she said she thought it was almost in anticipation of getting pnd again. After number 4 arrived she didn't get nearly as down as she thought she would, she'd taken good care of herself and asked for help when needed and I think managed to avoid medication that time. I think being aware is the first step, remembering it may happen but it may not, and don't feel guilty if you do need help. I get perods of extreme anxiety and I can sort of recognise it building up and sometimes can avoid, sometimes not, but it always dies down again. I know its not exactly the same as depression, but cognitive b therapy at my surgery helped me and my doctor has referred me for a sort of refresher session when it's got bad. Can you go through some stuff which helped you before? It's really good you're trying exercise and healthy diet, hard to bother with when you're low, really hope you feel better soon, Corona,

[redz]

Hi Corona,
A close freind of mine suffer from depression throughout her last pregnancy and then had pnd after. But because she was being monitored it was spotted alot quicker and she was given medication straight away. she is now fine and has a 5 month old dd, and very happy. We're just glad it was spotted straight away.
I cant say this happens to everyone though.

Hope you start feeling better thoughxx

[spider21]

Hi Corona - I hope you don't mind me adding a message. I'm now 32 wks with my 3rd child and like you had depression and cbt in the past. I was diagnosed with ante natal depression about 8wks ago and have been on lofepramine tablets for past 6 wks.
I just wanted to say I know how hard it is and especially when you're pregnant and should be happy but I have to say I feel mine lifting - don't know if it's the tablets or not - am only having appts every 4 wks at hospital.
I just couldn't manage the thought process to lift the depression like I did with cbt as my head/ hormones were all over the place but I feel a lot more stable now.
I really hope your doctor can help.