I need some support, because I'm not coping

[HypotheticalMummy]

Hello,

I have been experiencing some fairly sever depression of late and as such I desperately posted a thread in mental health, but some very wise people have advised me that it would be more fitting here, so maybe you guys could help me too?

In short, im not coping.

Here is the link www.mumsnet.com/Talk/feeling_depressed/886960-Please-please-help-me?pg=1

[alicia34]

Hi, just wanted to answer. I don't have depression at the moment but I did in the early stages of pregnancy (I am 23 weeks now)
I had personal issues and wasn't sure whether to continue with pregnancy or not.
I am okay now and feel much brighter. my midwife suggested taking anti depressants and the benefits of taking them outweigh the rvery small risks, if there are any.
you should see gp and ask for support, then give yourself time to decide what you want. it took me up till 16 weeks to feel settled again but I know I made the right decision for me. I can't help you with that because only you know how you feel. there is support out there, you just have to let your gp know that you need support.
all the best to you.

[YouKnowStuffingIsForLunch]

Here's the link to the previous thread

Any advice or support you can give HM will be much appreciated. She is lovely and very sad and worried. She's had suicidal thoughts and been taken off ADs shortly before pregnancy (bloody GP!)

(Hope it's ok for me to say all that HM)

[HypotheticalMummy]

Thank you YouKnow. You're looking after me.

[YouKnowStuffingIsForLunch]

HM - and if you knew the emotional wreck I have been at times then that would make you laugh!

You just need some support that's all. I cannot believe a GP knowing your history of depression would think that being pregnant [!) would cure it! Do you know how many women experience depression for the FIRST time during pregnancy?

Sometimes GPs have to be reminded of the obvious. There is so much support out there for you. I think you'll be surprised (at least I hope you will) by how much the MW wants to look out for YOUR wellbeing too. The mother's health is the most important thing to a baby. And most MWs know that now.

[HypotheticalMummy]

I have to go to bed now, thank you so much for your support. You have been very kind.

[YouKnowStuffingIsForLunch]

Hm good luck in the new job. You will be fantastic!

[MumNWLondon]

I think this is not really a matter for the midwife at all, rather please go straight to GP tomorrow and make sure they either treat or give URGENT referal has to refer you to specialist... who can give you appropriate treatment. Might be a good idea to take OH to appointment.

My friend's husband wrote a book about her very severe PND - I know this is not the same as ante natal depression but might be useful for your OH to read? Also my friends husband I am sure would be happy to be in email contact with your OH - his email address is on the website...

www.mypartnersdepression.com/

[babynumberthree]

I agree with mumnwlondon that you should see your gp urgently who will hopefully start treatment and refer you to your local mental health team. It is also worth knowing that most community mental health teams will also take self referrals and you shouldn't be afraid to say how you feel. There is no shame in depression and I think you probably need both antidepressants and psychological support to help you through. Good luck and take care.

[heth1980]

Hm - I'm sitting here in tears reading your post. I had bad PND after having my daughter and know exactly where you're coming from. It came to a head with me when I found myself routing through the bathroom cabinet to see if there were enough pills in there whilst my DD screamed in the next room.......please, please, please go and see your GP. If you can't make the appointment ask your DH or a friend to make it for you and to go with you - I know I made and cancelled at least 3 appointments before DH took the morning off work and came with me. Wishing you lots and lots of luck and hugs XXX

[YouKnowStuffingIsForLunch]

HM I hope things look a little brighter today and that work goes well. Please let us know how you're doing when you get a chance.

xx

[LuckyC]

Hey HM. As you will no doubt have seen from the flood of posts you are so not alone in experiencing this. I had a bout of debilitating, awful depression just after I found I was pregnant. We're obviously all going to have different experiences of this, but my depression lifted at about 12/13 weeks, along with the morning sickness. I put it down to hormones settling down - don't under-estimate their effect!, along with the time to adjust to the idea of pregnancy - I also have a history of depression and we depressives aren't known for our great resilience in times of change!

I am 20-odd weeks now and (the odd blip aside) feel fantastic, a bit lalalaaa, like I am being cocooned and cushioned by the same hormones that dragged me down. So, I am hoping this is good news, and that your depression might run the same course as mine.

But also you do need to follow all the good advice you have had here about contacting your GP and making damn sure they refer you properly for counselling and ADs, which are FINE in pregnancy. I am also going to go and see my GP again pre-birth to make sure they are ready to help me if I have a post-natal crash.

And of course come on the boards and talk to us as much as you need to. Good luck. Am going to post this on your other post too.