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Mental health

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Original poster

am i going mad

7 replies

tootoo · 13/02/2007 19:09

dont really know where to post this one and really not sure how to word how i feel.

i dont think i'm feeling depressed as such but the last couple of weeks, i've found things with my 6 mo dd are getting on top of me and some of the things i've been feeling are frightening me. i wouldnt hurt her but i've found myself getting really short tempered with her and sort of sitting her down abruptly when she wont stop crying and when winding her patting her on the back harder then is needed.

i've never felt this way before and not sure that i've explained myself properly, just wondered if anyone had any advice.

OP posts:

bakedpotato · 13/02/2007 19:19

First things first, have you done this?
edinburgh test online
I don't think what you're feeling is unusual, but that's not to say you should just put up with it. IMO, if you don't feel like yourself, if you don't feel quite right, please talk to someone GP, HV, MN and keep talking.
btw I think you're brave to post, and you've explained yourself very well.

jenwa · 13/02/2007 19:22

Oh dear, are you ok? do you have any support (husband/partner) or a family nearby to help out?
Your dd is prob getting more alert (sitting up etc) and maybe wanting more attention and getting frustrated now as she wants to be on the move with you and prob more aware when you leave the room or not giving her attention.

You prob just need to take some time out and if you have husband/partner get him to help out with bath time, bottles etc to ease some of the strain.

Does dd sleep well? are you tired?

If you feeling stressed when she is crying walk away and take a breather (maybe count to 10) then when you walk back in the room you will be able to handle the situation without the urge to do anything silly as you will have had a calm done period.

Original poster

tootoo · 13/02/2007 19:28

bakedpotato - did the edinburgh test & it said i was ok, no other feelings apart from the one's i've mentioned really.

jenwa - my husband is at work till around 7pm each day when our dd is asleep and no family nearby to help out really. i think what you've said about her wanting more attention is really true, the last couple of weeks she has been having difficulty sleeping in the day as she wont let me out of her sight, she just cries and cries until she's red in the face if I go out of the room. So feeling like I have to carry her around a lot to keep her happy.

OP posts:

Original poster

tootoo · 13/02/2007 19:30

she does sleep well in the night, she has been sleeping through from about 4 mo, although last night she did wake at 3.30 am and had to come in our bed.

OP posts:

bakedpotato · 13/02/2007 19:41

Don't beat yourself up if she has a bit of a cry while you hang up laundry/go to the loo. It's not the end of the world.
This phase may feel eternal but honestly soon she will start being able to move towards things that interest her and generally do more for herself, and she'll probably chill out quite a lot.
Stick to the naps though, they'll help you get through the day. Maybe she cries hard when you put her down bcs she's overtired? What happens if you put her down a bit earlier?

jenwa · 13/02/2007 19:43

My DH usually gets in about 6.30 7 ish so its a long day on your own without the help and i dont always think they understand what your day has really been like.

My dd was simular for a while not wanting to sleep but I did persavere by putting her to bed and she would cry and scream but I would go downstairs and just focus on te telly and eventually let her fall asleep. I did go up and check on her and if she was screaming I would sometimes pick her up and calm her down just by giving her a cuddle and reassurance and putting her back in to bed. She eventually learned. She is 16 months now and always goes back to bed after lunch for about 2hrs and is sooo good now. She can be so happy and yet stills knows she os going to bed and sometimes will play for a bit then drop of to sleep. I put some teddies in her cot and a small flip photo album with family pics in so she can chill out and look at them. (have done since a tiny and lay it by her head so she could see it before she could hold it) It just makes the cot a nice place.
As for at night time, try not to take her in your bed, I know its hard when you are tired but this may not help her with her separation anxiety from you. If she is able to go off to sleep on her own she will always cling to you and this will really make it harder for you in the long run (and her)
Maybe also in the day when you walk out the room leave the door open and just whisper to her from out there so she knows your there and eventually walk away. It may take a while but hopefully she will learn.

jenwa · 13/02/2007 19:47

have you got any friends around who could help out? Where abouts are you?

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