PND and PMT

[MordecaiAliVanAllen]

Have namechanged.

I've been coping with PND - diagnosed (reasonably loosely) by my GP (as opposed to a psychiatrist) when DD2 was about a year old. The worst symptoms probably didn't start until she was about 8/9 months old.

I'm pretty certain that I suffered with it after DD1 was born too but it wasn't officially diagnosed as such (and is only apparent to me now with benefit of hindsight). Symptoms eventually abated without any form of treatment.

This time it was my health visitor who suggested PND and recommended talking to my GP. GP has been largely sympathetic (although I have had a few comments like "i think you are very ill" and "don't worry, I don't think you're mad or anything"! ) and has arranged 6-weekly appointments with me since post-Christmas. She of course suggested medication but I've resisted this because: (a) I'm still breastfeeding DD2 (18 months on) and don't feel comfortable taking medication whether contraindicated or not; and (b) I'm worried about tablets making me feel worse before I get better, IYKWIM.

My GP also recommended talking therapy (which i was initially very keen on) and referred me to a mother and baby group-type-of-thing for mothers with PND. Nothing has been forthcoming from this group despite my GP chasing and, in any event, I'm now beginning to wonder about the usefulness of this route give that my "baby" is hardly "infantile" any longer. I've kind of lost my initial enthusiasm.

Fortunately i am beginning to feel a bit better, but about a week to ten days pre-menstruation tends to be a really low/dark time still.

I'm just wondering whether anyone else has had experience of severe PMT in the wake of (or in conjunction with) PND? I'd love to know what causes this. Although I think there were some clear environmental triggers for my PND, I also think hormones must have a huge part to play (and extended breastfeeding may not be helping?).

What, if anything, did you do about it. I'm a stay-at-home mum and terrified that I may have ruined/be ruining my daughters' lives with my awful mood swings, periodic anxiety and general sadness . I want to do what's best for them.

Hello I am so sorry for what you are going through, you are most definitely not alone, I am sure you are aware that PND is sadly very common. I was diagnosed with post natal anxiety, three months after my second baby in february 2012. as a trained therapist I considered counselling, but not for long, I am certain my illness was down to a chemical imbalance, yes like you there were psychological triggers, but the extent of my anxiety was SO extreme, and SO unlike anything else I had experienced I was postive it was primarily a physiological thing and needed medical treatment. I took Prozac and by three weeks was 80% better.....ten weeks on i am 99% better. I was also worried about feeling worse first , but the Prozac really was great I did feel very slightly more anxious for the first week but it was totally manageable as I knew I was finally doing something about getting better. Of course it's a personal choice, and I think a big part of recovery is believing in your treatment, whatever you choose it to be, good luck, my heart goes out to you.