Can you have PND 7 months postpartum??

[BeckyBoo16]

Hi just wondering if you can have PND when baby is 7 months old? The past month or so I’ve been feeling quite down, the smallest of things are irritating me, I get very short and snappy with DP who just wants to help, we’re getting married in 2 months but I have no excitement for the wedding. I cry most days, usually in the shower or car though when I’m alone. I feel very lonely. I love my baby more than anything and I pull myself together for him but I’m really struggling.

I don’t feel “depressed” but I’m just not sure what’s going on. Didn’t know where else to turn too so thought I’d ask opinions of mumsnetters.

Thanks x

I’m pretty sure it’s classed as PND until baby is 1

Yes you can, mind developed at 5 months but looking back there was probably little signs throughout that I hadn’t noticed properly.

I know exactly how you are feeling, the anger and snapping can come out of nowhere and you feel horrible for doing it but it feels like you can’t cope and anger comes out. The loneliness feels the worst, you could talk to a few different people but at the end of the day there’s still that horrible feeling hanging on.
I love my baby more than anything but I felt like I couldn’t find happiness in anything.
I spoke to a very understanding doctor as well as my health visitor. If I’m honest I felt embarrassed and felt like I couldn’t justify my feelings or properly colas. Them. The doctor was amazing, he listened, he understood and he made me feel lighter in the knowledge that it was something I couldn’t control.
Please reach out to your doctor, get their support, tell your other half and I’m sure he will I’ll be very understanding too and very happy that you are seeking help.
You are not alone in this! You are so much stronger than you think! The fact thag you’ve posted this shows you are in a good place for getting help!
Feel free to message any time!

PND is very different to “baby blues” that is the result of rapidly dropping hormones just after birth.
If you are not feeling right arrange to see your GP.
I had problems when DS was 10mnths old. He was a long awaited baby after multiple miscarriages, I had a difficult pregnancy with a premature birth and medical complications afterwards for both DS and myself. My Ddad died when DS was 4 mnths old. What tipped me over the edge was the tragic death of a very close friends teenage daughter in a road accident. I had awful intrusive thoughts, I couldn’t reconcile the thought of loosing DS sometime in the future having invested so much time keeping him safe.
I suspect I was overwhelmed by the whole 12 months and just couldn’t cope. On the outside I was fine but inside I was gasping for air.
Anyway a course of happy pills ( fluoxetine) helped me over the next 12 months.

Thank you. I don’t know if I need ‘happy pills’ (fab name for antidepressants though) as I’m not sure how I feel about taking them. Some days I’m okay, some days I’m not. I can find joy and laughter and enjoy most things still and love spending time with family and friends - I’m nervous to talk to my partner about it as I don’t want him to feel bad or judge me or most likely keep saying “why didn’t you tell me sooner” but I might get in touch with the GP and just see what they think.

You’ve all been so kind and thoughtful in your comments - thanks so so much xx