PND or "normal" feelings?

[ivanapoo]

I'm tired to the point of struggling to find the energy to play with my 4 month old son - getting around 7 hours (broken) sleep a night. I'm very run down.

I cry most days, I don't really understand why, except I find my son's cries hard to deal with after a while. I sometimes feel a bit detached but put this down to tiredness.

I feel terribly guilty that I'm not coping better, not being easier to live with for my DH who is so supportive, not doing better for my son.

This sounds weird but my DH keeps saying I should have some time for myself to do something I enjoy... But I struggle to think of anything! I end up just shuffling around the shops. I can't remember what I used to enjoy.

I do however go out most days, meet friends, chat and hang out and I feel fine.

Is this normal mum stuff or not? And how can I stop crying all the bloody time?!

Sounds like you're depressed to me. Might it be worth a chat with your HV/GP to try & work out a way forward. Good luck & I hope you feel happier soon. PM me if you want to chat more. I'm being treated for PND at the moment.

Sounds like PND. The tiredness is not helping but it does sound like a little bit more than just that.

Best thing to do is go to your GP and tell him/her how you feel.

I can't remember what I used to enjoy.

That in particular sounds like pnd to me. It's not just tired but you've lost yourself, your joy and your hope.

It is fixable. Have a chat to your gp.

Thanks for the replies. I think you're probably right. I feel angry at myself that i can't just snap out of it. I worry about the effect my mood will have on my baby. I am usually such a positive person too...

I feel I can't talk to my GP, would the HV just refer me back to them?

I think it depends where you live. I went to my GP first & they contacted my HV. My HV was able to refer me to a PND support group which I've just started but hopefully will help.

There's also a lot of online help here on the Mental Health board (Andes up particularly).

Is there any reason you don't want to see your GP?

I went to see my gp recently and found him patronising, unsympathetic and a bit of a crap listener. I have phoned a local pnd support group this morning and they were great. Will call the health visitor now.

Thanks for taking the time to reply, it's really helpful and comforting to know I'm not alone.

You're welcome, it's a very horrible & frightening thing to go through & if I can help in any way let me know.

If you could snap out of it that would suggest it was just feeling a bit down rather than pnd.

In the meantime just force yourself to smile, make eye contact, do a bit of peepo with your baby, even a minute or two is good work. At this age you can fake it quite easily. Hopefully once you get some decent help you'll be feeling more like your old self by the time your baby is older and needing more interaction.