supporting someone with PND?

[pumpkinsweetie]

Hi my sister has just had a baby, and i am very concerned that she hasn't visited a Gp yet after a friend of the family has more or less said she has pnd (trained nurse).
She has been hearing voices, crying and having panic attacks, after what has been a traumatic birth experience.

I am concerned this nurse has told her that the illness can sometimes go by itself given the right support at home. Her partner and family members are helping her at present.
I live the otherside of the country, but will be visiting soon.

How do i help her when i visit?

Does Pnd go by itself, i always thought you should always seek your Gp?

She is still having thoughts, but thinks she is getting better and when i mention casually visiting the Gp, she starts saying she is getting better, but then the next day it is clear she needs to see someone.

She's hearing voices? That means she needs urgent medical assessment.

I know, she keeps on saying she trusts this nurse etc, but they are not qualified in this field are they? Very concerned, but at same time i don't want to fall out with her etc

She also has mastitus & is on meds for that, could that be causing her symptoms, as she is saying the nurse has said so?

The first step is the hardest. Just try and be supportive to her needs and don't bang on about her needing to see a GP (even though she really should) as it could back fire and she may end up feeling like she can't turn to you. You can however, tell her that you are worried about her and that PND is not a sign of weakness/ anything to be embarrassed about or ashamed of. After a traumatic birth all you can do is go and support her without arguing/ falling out over visiting a GP. Hope she feels better soon

Thankyou 081 now i have spoken to her on the phone, things are not as bad as what they seem via the text messages she has been sending to me and the voices were actually thoughts. She sounds upbeat today and i think she will come through it.

Great news, just beware that it is possible to 'put a smile on' to convince others you're doing fine (I became an expert at this!) so do what you're doing and keep a close eye on her.

Just thought i'd update this thread...Haven't been on for a few years I am her sister...Turns out it was Postpartum Pyschosis which just got progressivaly worse to the point i started thinking i was dreaming so jumped of a very high wall...Police and ambulance involved....It was such a frightening experience,i was in contant fear of something bad happening to my baby and when that fear subsided i was then having fear for my other two... I didn't eat or sleep..And i tried to tell myself at the time it was just thoughts in my head but i was actually hearing voices...In my head and external

Oh and the highs and lows were so weird....It would come in waves...So like every few mintues i'd be On an abolute high and then 2 mintues later i'd feel extremely low...I could actually feel my body temp going up and down with them

Just saw this thread !. I hope you are ok Ops sister! I hope u managed to get the help u needed.

Sounds very difficult what u went through