Post natal depression success stories

[Fjc2016]

Hi,

I have a little baby boy 12 weeks old. I had a very traumatic birth followed by an illness where I couldnt hold my baby for a week and then when I eventually got sorted my son had problems with colic and silent reflux. I started feeling down around the time he was 5/6 weeks but over xmas managed to put on a brave face and distract myself but 3 weeks ago things turned worse dramatically and for 6 days straight I was having constant panic attacks. The mental health crisis team were involved straight away as I was desperate for help and I pinpointed it was my baby that was setting the attacks off. They prescribed me sertraline and quickly upped my dose. The panic attacks have stopped but now I feel so depressed and worried about loving my son and if I have bonded with him. My family are great and so supportive and the perinatal team are now supporting me also as I have been experiencing intrusive thoughts also. I wake up everyday thinking how Can I get through another day of ‘faking it’. Im so scared I will never get that connection and overwhelming love for my son and people reassure me it will happen but guess I’m just hoping to hear of anyone with similar experiences that can give me some hope and if sertraline helps? Thanks

If it was only 3 weeks it's unlikely you'll feel any benefit yet. These things take several weeks to build up in your system. Be patient, you did the right thing. Don't come off the tablets thinking they're not working. They just work very gradually. In 2.months time you will feel much better.

I speak from experience, it was 3 months before I really felt like I was out of the worst. My baby is absolutely crazy about me, it turns out they don't remember! We have a very close bond now. Whereas I had no bond for the first while at all. But once you're out of the woods, bonds do come.

I know of many many women through my work (including myself) who have recovered Well, and in some cases pretty quickly. I know lots of people who have used sertraline to help them get better.
Personally it took me about 6 months to start bonding with my son and a year before I was feeling a bit more human BUT that was with no treatment or support.
You are Not alone, it will get better. Keep asking for help if you need it, try to connect with others- do you have a charity in your area for mums with pnd? This charity might be a good starting point. www.pandasfoundation.org.uk

Thank you both for replying. Its just such a struggle thinking of recovering. I never imagined I’d suffer from PND- wish there was a magic wand to make all well again x