How do I know the difference between PND and not PND?

[Mississippilessly]

I have a 6 month old. He doesn't sleep well. I'm really, really tired. Relations with DH have been strained, we have good days and bad days. Not sure if DS is teething or what but he wont be put down and even then is grizzly. He will only settle with me. So its either grizzly with ne or screaming without.
I'm exhausted. I saw a paediatrician on Friday about some digestive issues DS has been having. She basically said hes completely fine but did suggest I see my GP for me, not DS. I cried at her.
So how do I know? I've told my GP I'm anxious before and he just said that that was normal.

Any advice really gratefully received.

Please see your GP, they should do the Edinburgh test with you which looks back at the previous 2 weeks (I didn't want to bother mine because I wasn't crying every day, but it's not just about the ok days). You get a score from that I think anything over 11 is PND.
Or if your GPs not that helpful, could you ask your hv to visit you first?
This too shall pass even if it really doesn't bloody feel like it shall!

Thank you. I've been trying to think about questions like do I enjoy things, can I concentrate and the honest answer is I just dont know

I spoke to my HV who then got me to speak to GP. Signs can include feeling down more than usual, having intrusive thoughts, being less engaged with things you usually enjoy, being more emotional/less emotional, and being disengaged from your child.

We found that for me, lack of sleep is my main trigger so can make it worse. So please, speak to your HV or GP asap. If you turn out not to be, then cool. But at least you'll know.

(I phoned my HV and said straight off "I thinki have PND" within 20 mins we knew I had it and I contacted my GP. I had a prescription that day.)

I think from what you’ve said it’s very likely and I would visit your GP/ HV to discuss it. The consultant must have seen something to suggest it and the fact that you started crying is quite telling.
I did much the same as you - over thinking it, kind of thinking that I wasn’t as bad as some of the people with PND I’d read about. I consequently didn’t realise I had it til I’d come out of the other side. I actually had/ have post natal anxiety which is similar but may be worth you reading about as I wasn’t aware it existed.

DS1 didn’t sleep at all for 6 weeks from 4-5.5 months but it did get better and once it settled he was an amazing sleeper. DS2 was MUCH better fortunately!
I really feel for you as sleep deprivation is awful, but it will get better..

Definitely no intrusive thoughts. Dont think I'm less engaged with DS.