Does this sound like P.N. Depression???

[Jo7249]

I have had my second baby 3 months ago and have a older boy at 19mths. I feel tired all the time and have a very short temper with everyone. I feel everone is criticizing me, feel inadequate and i'm not looking forward to anything anymore. I cry easily and am paranoid about what other family members think of my parenting skills. My hubby and I argue a lot and I end up crying. He says he is worried about me. I did go back to work for 2 days and this was fine, so i feel I am not limited in what I can do. I also have been for a meal a few times.
I don't feel happy and I feel guilty about this because I should with 2 beautiful boys.

However, I am a great mum to my kids and can laugh and be silly when i'm with them. I devote my life to them. Both have been quite poorly, especially my eldest who has allergies and has been at doctor evey month since being born. I think this has taken its toll on me. My parents live abroad and I miss having support around.

I don't know if I have depression. can anyone help?

[MrsMattie]

You have two very young children, so it could well be exhaustion and the general drudgery of dealing with that that's making you feel out of sorts.

Have you ever heard of the Edinburgh Scale? HPs often use it as a (very rough guide) to assessing whether you may have PND.

Ultimately, though, if you are feeling bad and it has been going on for a while, I would go and talk to your GP. There are lots of things you can do to help with depression, from changing your diet and exercising more, to seeking counselling or taking anti-depressants. But you'd need to have a good, lengthy discussion about that with your doctor.

Good luck.

[teameric]

It does sound like the start of PND, I would go and have a chat with your doctor. You have just described how I felt and I just left it and it got worse.
And of course your a great Mum PND dosn't stop you from being that, but you also have a right to be happy

[starlight99]

These are some of the warning signs of depression:
extreme tiredness, loss of pleasure or interest in things, poor concentration, difficulty sleeping (esp. waking up early), loss of appetite, losing weight (or gaining weight through comfort eating), crying most days, feeling hopeless, thoughts of death or suicide.

You don't have all of these, but sounds like you do have some.
It is worth getting treatment early.

My PND got so bad I ended up in a psychiatric unit for 3 months. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

Far better to get help now than wait for it to get worse.

Congrats on your new baby, things will get better, promise x

[Jo7249]

Thank you so much for your replies.
In the past I have been on antidepressants but went off them.
I am a successful teacher, used to run daily - up to 50 miles a week.
I don't miss my runiing though and enjoy the fact that I excercise enough at home with my boys.
I'm just wondering now if Postnatal depression can be more than hormonal and can be about social and emotional needs??

I understand it can be a combination of many things but i'd love to hear more experiences so I can pinpoint what's really up!!

[alypaly]

m gp reckoned that depression was only classed as true PND if it was still going on 6 months after the birth. Other than that ,he reckoned it was baby blues.
i ended up in hospital for 3 months too starlight as i just couldnt function and even making a cup of tea made me shake with effort. It was horrible,i thought i was going mad, but Gp said it was a total breakdown.
i was trying to be the best at everything....a mum ,a cook, DIY gardening, sex,housework....i wanted to be a perfectionist ,but it took its toll