Is it PND this long after having a baby?

[Chocolatteandbiscuits]

I've never formally been diagnosed with PND but just before have my DS and then after having him I felt so down. I felt I didn't bond with him and I struggled. I didn't have much support from anyone, my DP weren't much help. My parents are quite toxic and my DM helped now and then but never asked how I was doing. When my DS got taken into hospital the nurses referred me to the GP as they thought I had PND. I now have such a strong bond with my DS. I love him unconditionally. However I still feel down most days, feel like the day is a struggle like I don't know what to do with the day. I feel lonely and down. I feel gulity for my son as we dont do much but i just feel nervous about going out. I used to go to baby groups but cant muster up the courage anymore. I've had counselling in the past to do with my parents and briefly on the PND. Do you think I still have PND a year on after having my son? I don't know what to do. I feel like I'm stuck in a circle

Bump.
Also has anyone had any experience with antidepressants? I'm a bit wary of them but then they might help. I don't know

Hello - I didn't want to read and run. I'm not really comfy with saying "yes you have PND" as I'm not a dr but

• my friend who has/had severe PND still loves with the effects daily 18mo on
• feeling down most days after the birth of baby if you didn't feel down most days before is a flag for PND
• you used to go to baby groups but you can't muster the courage anymore makes me wonder if you're spending big amounts of time just you and baby: you need to mix for your sanity and to offload him onto the floor to roll round with toys
• don't underestimate the complete whammy having baby has on your emotions etc. I'm still making sense of the world 18mo on

See your GP. Be frank. Think anti depressants could be a good start point though, again whilst I've not taken them myself (sort of wish I had) my friends said they really helped.

I think it could still be PND given that you've not had any treatment for it? Please do go to your GP and explain what you've said here. Being anxious about going out etc isn't the 'norm' and I think you may benefit from help. I've only been on ADs once and it was a long time ago but from what I remember, they did help.
Wishing you lots of luck, and please don't just keep on suffering.

Could well be PND, mine wasn't diagnosed until by baby was circa 16m. I was v v hesitant about medication but it probably saved my life.

And I'm 100% recovered now and off the pills.

I think I had truly forgotten when it was like to be a normal me. Good luck

Thank you so much for replying. When my son was in hospital at 4 months the doctors referred me to my GP as I broke down and said I weren't coping. I don't feel as helpless as I did then but I'm still not happy. Back then I said to my GP I didn't want medication. The waiting list for counselling was so long so I gave up. I know I shouldn't have. My main concern is that ill end up relying on the AD or that they will make me worse. But I think I need to try something. I can't keep struggling like this.