How to cure this depression cloud?

[SunshinePlease101]

I’ve tried everything to get rid of this cloud of depression. I have a baby who is 8 months and wonderful.Baby sleeps through, eats well and is a very easy baby. A very supportive partner and family and lots of close friends.

I don’t know what more I can do to feel happy.

I’ve gone to the doctor. Switched anti depressants. Take them religiously.

Completed therapy.

Make sure I get 8 hours sleep a night.

Get out most days even just to walk the dogs.

Have regular baby breaks to go and see friends or date nights with DP.

Ive tried having lazy days in my pyjamas with a box set and 0 pressures. I’ve booked things to look forward too or nice days out with baby and DP.

Ive had blood tests, all good apart from low iron I’ve got medicine for.

NOTHING is working. I feel so low. So grey. I can’t feel joy, there is no relief. It’s low level constant dullness.

What else can I do?

Have you tried mindfulness? My GP son thinks it’s helpful.
It can be helpful (if you have the time) to do something to help ‘others’.
I found the thing which reliably lifts my spirits which is dancing (ballroom and Latin). I always feel better after and spend all week looking forward to going. I really feel for you, depression is a bitch. You’re going to have to go back to the GP if you don’t improve.

I am sorry this is happening to you, it sounds like you are doing all the things (and more) you would be advised to do.

The only other thing I can think of is your diet, how is it? There is a emerging research about the impact of gut microbes in the context of depression (podcast and transcript here if you're interested joinzoe.com/learn/podcast-how-food-can-improve-your-mood )

@Lentil63 Thank you! I have tried mindfulness but doesn’t seem to make much difference. My job is to help people which I go back too after mat leave. My job is a vocation which I love. Maybe it’ll help when I go back.

@OddBoots My diet is okay. Home cooked tea every night. But maybe could be better during the daytime as I snack on convenient food. But my appetite has gone since this cloud has took over. I still eat my home cooked meal every night though.

I think low iron does cause low mood so you might feel better when you have taken enough of the iron to get your levels back up .
You could try to keep a gratitude diary . When I start feeling sorry for myself I try and flip my mindset by doing this . Your hormone levels might be causing the low mood if you have recently stopped BF .

Have you talked to your GP about increasing the dose of your anti depressants (if you aren't taking the maximum already)?

What kind of therapy?

Is this a longer term depression, or just since having a baby?

If longer term - do you feel you’ve learned how to work out what you’re hoping for, find your anger and move through grief?

Btw it could be the anti-depressants causing the constant dullness. I felt either emotionally numb or artificially perky on different types.

5-HTP

Worked wonders for a relative.

Music is always a good shout too
Do you have any ideas what may have caused it? Hormones after birth?

Sounds like something in your life needs to change, are there ways you can make that happen? What would you love to be doing with your life right now?

I felt like this after DS until I went back to work. Not working doesn't suit me at all. I'm at my best when I'm juggling work and family life.

I’d recommend a food intolerance test, when I stopped gluten and dairy and improved my diet my mood improved a lot

5 HTP worked for me, ST Johns wort made me have suicidal thoughts. I don't know if you're breastfeeding but hormones can affect MH.
My mood is better on zero sugar and daily work out in addition o getting out for a walk.

Vit d, iron, zinc and magnesium helps some people.

And fish oil

Did they check your thyroid levels?

Make sure you'll get sine animal protein every day.
Makes a huge difference

No it doesn’t. My mood and energy levels have lifted so much since I went vegan.

Thank you everyone. I take zinc, vitamin D, evening primrose, magnesium, turmeric and rosehip oil everyday in hopes of help.

the therapy was a talking therapy. By the last few sessions there was nothing much else to say if I’m honest.

Everything is fine in my life. There are no identifiable issues or worries. Bonded brilliantly with baby and love looking after her. It’s not a chore or anything.
Relationship is good, DP is very supportive and more than does his share.

I just don’t know what else to do!

I will call GP on Monday and check thyroid.

I went from 150mg sertraline and when that still didn’t work the GP swapped me to Citalopram and I’ve started on 10mg Citalopram. Been on it 9 weeks now.

What is 5 HTP?

Are you lonely/isolated? Need adult company? Perhaps join a parent and baby group, go to the library, see other mums, have some time away from the baby now and then, too.

10mg is a low dose, perhaps see is 20mg helps?

@IToldYouAmillionTimesAlready Maybe. I’ve started going to baby groups and seeing a mum friend about twice a week. I see my group of friends weekly with and without baby.

I could see someone daily if I wanted but due to this depression it’s hard to motivate myself to even get dressed some days. It’s such a dark weight.

@MuggleMe yes I will ask the GP on Monday to increase the dosage as I can’t go on like this.

I went to the shops earlier on today whilst baby and dp were at home and just sat in the car crying.

it’s so hard.

@SunshinePlease101 ate you looking forward to going back to work?

Yes and no.

I’m looking forward to the routine of it getting me up and out. I’m looking forward to using that side of my brain.

Im not looking forward to leaving my baby who is scrumptious and I adore being with.

Im not looking forward to the stress my job can bring but luckily I’m going back part time so should lessen it quite a bit.

Im worried I’ve pinned too much hope on going back to work being the solution to this grey cloud and that not happening. At the moment it’s my only hope after trying everything, if you get me?