Does PND every go away?

[DreamT9]

I had PND over 2 years ago when my son was born, and it still seems to manage to rear its ugly head. At first I didn't believe that it was PND, but even my doc suggested it could be. I have days when I am SO tired that I just can't function, I feel overwhelmed by the simplest things, feel miserable for no reason, and normally I'm a pretty happy person with lots of energy. Does anyone else feel that even after a few years?

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My dd is 5, and I still suffer. It's not as bad as it was, and the bouts of depression are shorter, but it's still there. I tend to just refer to it as depression now rather than PND; for me I think that the PND was a trigger for plain old clinical depression.

Are you still seeing the GP, and are you getting any treatment for it?

I never did really see a GP about it, to be honest. I went several times for the physical symptoms, but have given up now, my doctor doesn't really show much concern/interest. Well, I just really hope that one day it will go away, it's really is awful, isn't it?

Thanks to both of you for your responses.

It can, unfortunately, become clinical depression - well, it is, but it can become a more chronic condition.

I have now been battling it for 3 years.

I am still on ADs and although was doing well, am now starting to suffer from anxiety and panic attacks again.

You have my empathies.

Hope things get better for you soon.

Try to take it day by day.

Don't give up, Dream ... the thing is, depression doesn't just go away on its own. Just when you think you've beaten it, it sneaks up and wallops you around the head again.

There is help available but you have to ask for it, which means seeing the GP. I know you say you haven't found him helpful before but if you haven't seen him about the depression you can't tell how he will handle it. He may be more sensitive to your needs than you think. Do go and see him, get yourself some help to fight this.

I don't know if your family are nearby, but whether they are or not, please remember to lean on your friends for support - you know you'd do the same for them if they needed it.

Mine were a massive help - it was one particular afternoon with my best friend, with all kids out of the way, that became the crux of how I got better. And just by telling my friends that I had PND, I found out that 2 others did too, and so we've been able to be supports for each other. My doctor referred to it as 'friend therapy'.

And / or - have you tried a counsellor? Another friend found it a fantastic help.

When things are bad, I also find it helps to try to remind myself that if today is awful, it doesn't necessarily mean that tomorrow will be too.

Good luck.

oh expat, didn't realise you were going through a bad time xx

dream, don't give up on your doctor but if you feel you don't want to go to the GP, you could try some counselling?