If I got an Edinburgh Test score of 19

[notmyrealname5678]

But DC is almost 20 months, does that mean I could still have possible PND? Or is it too long ago iyswim?

On a namechange, but to cut to the chase I am fed up of being fed up.

I haven't felt "myself" since having DC (our only). I lost my dear dear grandma whilst pg which wasn't unexpected, I also lost a close family member to suicide when DC was very small which was totally out of the blue, DC has been very ill this year (ending up in PICU). DP works (night) shifts and is quite frankly driving me batshit a lot of the time at the moment. I think this is mainly down to me massively overeacting, he does however have (non MH) health related issues which also leads to him being on Citalopram for anxiety and he can sometimes be quite hard to live with (in his own words).

I've come off hormonal contraception in the last 3 months or so and had a copper coil fitted and I think PMT may be making me feel worse than normal this week. But god I'm just so bloody miserable. I'm not sleeping, which seems to happen every couple of months. I have no interest in anything, couldn't even get excited about Christmas even knowing it was DC's first to be old enough to kind of get a few bits of what was going on.

I'd heard of the Edinburgh Test but hadn't realised it was only for PND so when I found a version online today just thought I'd see how I scored regardless. According to my results any score over 10 should be referred to a medical professional, but I don't really know what to say if I make an appointment with my GP?

I know I probably should of got help when DC was small, I was a mess, crying all the time, finding normal things a massive struggle but I just didn't know how to ask for help. Then the black cloud feeling sort of just started to lift and I thought oh sod it, it'll be ok. Only now and again it comes back....

Crap that was a lot longer than I thought, sorry, and a bit all over the place. If you're still reading any advice would be greatly appreciated

[nextphase]

I think you should make an appointment with the GP - or the health visitor, if you get on with yours, and talk it through with them.

If you think you'll struggle with what to say, why not print out your message above and give it to them?

Hope the clouds lift again soon

[itsallinmyhead]

See your GP ASAP! You don't need to feeling like this.

I have DC2 (3 weeks) and have scored 18 on the test. I had terrible PND with DC1, so have been looking for signs and will be addressing them as soon as I can get in to see my GP.

You're not alone but you need to ask for and accept help.

[notmyrealname5678]

thanks both, see this is typical me isn't it, posted that yesterday then felt "fine" for the rest of the day so purposely didn't check for replies as was avoiding the issue!

Next I've only seen my actual HV twice! When DD was small I did think about contacting her as she seems really nice and very much a "say it how it is" type which I like. I rang my GP's where she's based to try and ask for an appointment one day when sat in the car in tears, again, only they were closed for lunch and I chickened out of ever phoning back again. Ever since the initial visit where she came to our house, every weigh in clinic I've been to/DC's 1 year check etc I've always seen someone different. I know she's still around as she's been at the clinic every now and again but its a case of take a number, wait, and see whoever comes free first.

My GP surgery offers online bookings for appointments so I did try and book one yesterday but nothing was coming up as bookable so guess I'll have to wait until they're back after the christmas break. It's hard, the GP I feel I could talk to has just gone on maternity leave and the only other one I really know who's a senior partner has just taken semi retirement and he is rarely there now so I feel like I'm taking a bit of a chance with who I see....right I need to stop making excuses don't I?....!

[Offred]

The thing is the test scores me 12. I know why it has done that, I am not depressed just now, it is because I have had difficulty with my (toxic) family over Christmas which has been upsetting and my twins are due to start preschool on 7/1 and I am emotional about it because they are my youngest ones and it is a big deal with there being two of them, my life will change radically. I am not sure you should be quick to label yourself as depressed if you have had traumatic events to deal with, discussing things with someone is a good plan but perhaps asking for some counselling to talk through the trauma and then see how the land lays rather than launching right into it being baby related. It is normal not pathological for you to be upset about things that are upsetting, labelling it as post-natal depression too soon may just make things worse in the long run I think.