Can stopping breastfeeding bring on mental illness?

[namechangerbutcurious]

Hi, I've tried googling, but I am obviously doing it wrong. If someone was to stop breastfeeding, could it have simalar effects mentally (ie could it bring on postnatal mental illnesses) to having just given birth?

Stopping breastfeeding can make you feel very tearful and depressed see here.

Was weaning sudden or have you/baby/child been gradually dropping feeds?

Is there anyone who can support you and who you an talk to? Are you ok in and of yourself, if you feel really bad please call smaritans (not saying you are suicidal but that you might want to talk to someone impartial).

I certainly felt very down and depressed when I gave up breastfeeding. But I had PND too.

There's not a lot of research on this, but in some cases, not breastfeeding/stopping breastfeeding earlier than you planned does seem to have serious effects on mental well-being, for some women.

If you post with more details I will try to find a link.

I had been doubting my diagnosis of puperal psychosis, but that is because it took so long to come on (apparently it usually starts within a couple of dayd of birth). however both episodes have started within a week or so of stopping breastfeeding. Both times were fairly gradual stopping, but the onset of mental problems happened at around the time I lost the "full" feeling - so probably at about the time my hormones changed.

I'm getting lots of help, don't worry about that :) It's just the people helping me have NO IDEA what box to tick on their forms, and they don't like that- they don't deal with many extended breastfeeders.

Also, it would obviously help treatment if I could work out what is going on.

I am thinking it might be hormone related, as I was hospitalised and seriously ill, then the symptoms vanished suddenly....a few weeks later I realised I was pregnant. I was well, until I stopped feeding the baby, then I got ill again.