To wonder if I could be suffering from PND? 10months after having DS?

[ethelfleda]

I guess the symptoms have been creeping up on me. The latest one being paranoia that people are talking behind my back or trying to exclude me. I feel not good enough to be a mum. Some days I wake up and dread the daily routine. I am unable to concentrate or make simple decisions. Some days I am better than others. I have hurt myself a couple of times. Today, I have made a fool of myself over my paranoia with a work colleague (started KIT days recently) and it made me realise that I’ve been paranoid about a few things lately.
I didn’t feel like this a few months ago. I’ve bonded incredibly well with DS. He is just amazing. But I feel like my anxiety levels are creeping up and up all the time!

Can it be PND this long after giving birth??

Of course you can and the best thing is you have recognised it. I was diagnosed when my DD was 11 months and it creeped up like yours.

Go to your GP and have a chat. I wish you well.

Could it possibly be post natal anxiety?

I’ll bet my bottom dollar it is. My HV told me for lots of women PnD doesn’t manifest until many months after birth.
Get to the GP ASAP.
And for what it’s worth - I’m pretty sure you are a great mum, otherwise why would you be asking for help.

Absolutely it could be. Recognising that you're unwell is the first step towards getting better, so it's great that you've been able to. I empathise OP, I'm living it too (esp the "not good enough mum" and self harm 😔)

Do you know what though, you are a good enough mum. You're a great mum in fact, the best your kids will ever have. They love you dearly.

Ring your GP in the morning, get some help.

Oh and just to add, anxiety and anger are symptoms of PND.

Pnd isn't always about a failure to bond with your baby. Anxiety, anger, sudden changes in mood for no particular reason are good signs to look out for.
It would do no harm to chat to your gp or health visitor about how your feeling.

@ethelfleda
Hi
My sister suffers from really bad PND. We didn't realise she had it until my niece was nearly a year old.

My sister refused to recognise she had it for a very long time and things got really bad.
It's really good that you have recognised this and it is definitely the first step.
You need an appointment with your GP ASAP.

If you can afford it then try and get private counselling sessions as the NHS wait will be ages. I know it is expensive but this is really important.

The main thing is to deal with it before it gets any worse.

I hope everything goes well. Xxx

I started having symptoms when I part-weaned DD from full bf to mixed feeding at 7 months. My period came then as well.

I was properly diagnosed when DD was 13 months and the therapist I saw said it can be up to the time a child is 2 to be diagnosed with PND as it takes so long in some cases for the hormones to regulate again.

Def go and see somebody, AD didn’t help at all as they caused insomnia but therapy was the best I ever did.

newmummy sorry your sister had to wait so long for treatment. I just wanted to let the OP know that she may not have to wait very long at all for NHS treatment. I was prioritised, as are all new mums in my area, and was seen very quickly.

Thank you for your replies. I think I’ve managed to recognise it as I have suffered mental house issues in the past. I am a first time mum and was keeping an eye out for it actually, just in case. Then I assumed I was out of the woods, so to speak, after a while.
Luckily I have an incredibly supportive DH. But no help close by to really help with DS.
I will call the GP.

New mums can need some extra support with their mental health for lots of reasons, including anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder. Post natal depression is the most widely talked about mental health challenge but certainly not the only possibility. Please do reach out for some help.

Thank you.