Any tips for PND?

[Hannah58]

Hi all,
I’m pretty certain that I have PND after having my second baby 6 weeks ago. I’ve suffered with depression/anxiety/ocd in the past and I’m feeling similar now.
Im so sad that I feel like this and feel like I’m letting everyone down. I’m already on Sertraline and my GP has just upped my dose from 100mg to 150mg so started that today. I’ve also had an assessment with Time to Talk and I’ve got a phonecall appointment on Monday to discuss what support they can offer me.
Im just wondering if there is anyone out there who has any experience and advice of any self help things I can do to help myself too? Any apps/books/activities that people have found useful. I just don’t know how I’m going to cope if I’m going to be feeling like this for a long time and worrying that the medication and therapy won’t help. I feel like I’m going to be stuck like this forever and won’t be able to ever enjoy life again. I should be enjoying my toddler and newborn but I’m just not able too. Keep thinking they deserve better than me 😥
Any advice would be greatly appreciated xx

Sorry to hear you're suffering - I had it after both of mine were born.

Apart from medication which you're already addressing, things that helped me were getting out for some fresh air each day, and spending time with other people as much as possible. I really struggled when I was alone with the dc.

Talking to other mums really helped, and I was going to mother and baby groups pretty much daily all over the district!

Hope you will feel better soon 💐

P.S. nothing lasts forever and you will get through it.

Another little thing that helped me- having a plan for each day, writing it down and ticking things off, so I felt like I was achieving something! Obviously the practical side meant I was actually getting stuff done when I felt like lying on the sofa crying, but working my way through the list and getting through each day meant I was a day closer to things improving.

@itsabitdamp Thank you so much for your replies. I really like the idea of having a plan and ticking it off. What sort of thing did you put on your lists?

Oh all sorts - just simple things I needed to get done anyway!

1. Eat something nutritious for breakfast and feed children.
2. Put a wash on
3. Have a shower (easier said than done some days with a baby/toddler)
4. Get out for a half hour walk

Etc etc. it just stopped me from sitting on the sofa procrastinating and allowing thoughts to swirl around my head, and I felt like I'd been productive. You can include things like "have a nap" btw, it doesn't have to be all go.