Postnatal depression

[MincePieFan88]

What can a doctor do? Will my GP give me antidepressants? What can I expect if I ask for help?

I have a 3 month old and I'm not coping. We have good days and he's a good sleeper but the lows are very low, I've had to call DH to come home early twice as I just wanted to die and disappear. I was an anxious person before but all the things I could do to cope, I can't do now (e.g. a good night sleep and regular exercise). DH and I live abroad (stupid, I know) and I have no one. I'm alone all day until DH comes home. My friends all work and are all childless. The mum groups are nice enough, I do make an effort to go.

What I need is my mum or an auntie to come over for a coffee and to give me a break but that isn't going to happen.

The GP can offer antidepressants or you can get referred to the perinatal mental health team which in lots of areas in England has just extended their support to 2 years PP where it was previously 12 months (which led to me being referred then discharged abruptly with no actual help when we moved here with DD age 10 months). Apparently they're really good though if you actually get the support they offer, but IDK what they do aside from get you properly assessed by a psychiatrist if you need it.

You can also speak to your HV. Things the HV did that helped me included just sitting and listening, referring me onwards to a specialist bonding charity, and sending someone round to just chat over coffee/watch the baby while I napped or showered etc. This was in NI so IDK if these are available in England.

Also I'm sorry you're feeling this way. 💐

If you go in and ask for antidepressants then probably, if you just say you feel down they'll likely suggest you try mindfulness, talking therapy, journalling yoga etc first.

Take baby for lots of walks so you are getting regular exercise.

I had PND twice. Antidepressants both times and first time some talking therapy.
I know how hard it is but if you can make friends with some mums at your group it will help, honestly knowing I wasn't alone on the bad days really helped