Is this PND

[OfMiceAndMummies]

Hi. Just need some views/ advice on this... I've been feeling low on and off for quite a while now (since birth of DS1 really - he's 3.5 now, but worse since arrival of DS2 last year). Some days I am so tearful and feel I can't cope with motherhood, but other days are ok. I have tonnes of support (lovely parents and ILs nearby and lovely circle of friends) so don't understand why I'm being like this. I have a wonderful DH too. I've seen the doc and HV and am having some therapy which helps a bit. Is this PND do you think or just normal? Anyone with experience able to offer advice? Thank you.

Yes it's normal. Yes sounds like PND. I never had the tearful bit but have the 'can't cope with this' bit a lot - DD is 14 months. I've had awful, awful anxiety rather than depression but it still is classed as PND ifswim?

How are you getting on day to day. Today for example?

Loving your name BTW. Love that book :)

Thank you. Today is not too bad but still feeling down despite the fact that it's Sunday and my DH is here. Just worrying about what we'll do tomorrow when it's just me and the boys. I worry a lot about them, whether I'm doing a good job, how to handle toddler challenges etc. How about you? Do you take ADs?

I love that book too - only book that's ever made me cry (although it doesn't take much these days!)

Oh bless you.

Yes that sounds familiar. Those feeling of unexplained panic. I also worry about being on my own with DD - which sounds totally daft.

I worry about random things like if I love her enough as I should, if she loves me. Looking at what I've done for her I can see it's been fantastic when comparing it to other [more easy going] mums, but I still worry about my feelings. It almost killed me in the first year but they have eased up slightly.

No I've always refused the ADs. I am very wary about pills ever since The Pill totally cocked up my system when I was younger. I don't trust ADs - I worry they could screw me up further. And reading some of the stuff on here it's not a completely unfounded fear.

I am T1 diabetic though and have to take insulin to keep me alive - so I do know that medicine obviously has its place. And I know that ADs have literally saved people's lives. Just a step I'm not ready to take, even though I've really had an awful couple of years.

What about you?

Lenny :(

Worrying about being on your own with your DD doesn't sound daft to me - I can relate to that and I end up feeling guilty about not spending enough quality time with my boys. No I'm not on ADs (yet) as I wanted to try the therapy first, plus I've never been sure whether it really is PND or not as I've always had a tendency to worry a lot - so I don't know whether this is just part of that or something more serious. Thanks for your responses - good to feel that I am not alone.

You're definitely not alone. I've started counselling through the GPs which has been great! At least I feel I'm doing something to help myself - and chamomile tea which I've only just discovered. Have you been to the GP?

Yes I've seen my GP and am having some counselling which helps a bit I think. Am going to give myself til the end of June I think to see if I can pick myself up but then go back to the GP if things are no better. Hope you have / had a good day today.