Is it normal to relapse?

[Bcart93]

Hi all,
I have postnatal depression (FTM to 11 week old) and am freaking out as, for the second time now, I feel like I've "relapsed". I'll have a good week or two and then suddenly just feel like I've been hit by a train. I'm back to waking up with a sense of dread, struggling to sleep, constantly worrying, crying when I can't settle my baby... I just want to know if others have found it so up and down? It's infuriating when you think you're finally getting better!
Thanks!

11 weeks is very early days and really tough. I didn't have PND so apologies for posting in case this does not help but I was definitely up and down and had some terrible days (and nights), some moments of rage, some just sad and sobbing. I remember thinking baby is almost 12 weeks, why aren't I back to normal? The truth is that it was such such early days but I was a first time mum and I was struggling so much because I couldn't really see a light at the end of a tunnel. Looking back, I wish I had embraced it all more. Babies are still incredibly intense at that age, your body is still recovering, your hormones are all over the place, your life has changed in ways you can't even comprehend yet.

Take it day by day and be kind to yourself.

From my experience of depression this is very very very normal. It's not your fault and you're not doing anything (or not doing anything!) to make it happen.
I think every day I have a certain capacity, and I'll give my all. On my best days, 100% is fantastic.
On a bad day, I might only have 10% capacity so it's beans on toast for tea and screen time... But that's my 100% best that day. When I blame myself, I notice I spiral more.
I hope that helps a little and take care x