I think I may have PND, any alternatives to anti depressants?

[lucylouise76]

I think I'm starting to accept I have PND, I feel tearful most days if not every day, have some mild post partum anxiety and I feel guilty and bad about myself A L O T.

I'm really tired of being such a sad person, I used to be so different and much happier and it's beginning to effect my relationship.

I'm quite reluctant to try anti depressants, it just makes me feel strange to be taking a drug that I'll need to wean off plus I breastfeed so I'm not sure if that would cause problems so I've not spoken to a GP. I also find when I'm having a good day I think I'm fine and telling a GP that I think I'm depressed sounds so serious.

I always feel better when I have a productive day or get out the house but sometimes it is hard with two young children and productivity and parenting doesn't always to hand in hand.

I'm wondering if anybody has tried any alternative methods and had success?

Cutting out caffeine? I don't drink coffee but I do drink Pepsi max or Diet Coke to try and sneak in a bit of caffeine as I'm up at night feeding my 5 month old. Or are there any supplements I could be taking?

Sorry to hear you’re feeling tearful most days. I don’t know how old your baby is? I think the first year of your baby’s life can be quite tough, it’s so hard not being able to get proper sleep, and young babies are so demanding. In terms of supplements, I’d recommend omega 3, there’s some evidence that this helps your mood. Also iron taken with vitamin C as you may be low in iron, it might be helpful to get that checked out. Do you go to any mother and toddler/baby groups? I used to go to quite a lot of those, I presume they’ve started up again after covid? I used to go to an NCT one, and one at a church (I’m not a church goer, and most people who went weren’t either). I also made friends at a local park - I’m not usually so extrovert, but at that time in my life I was, and I found that other mums were often friendly. Being a mum can be very isolating. I remember a day that I told my husband, when he came from work, that the only person I’d spoken to that day was the postman.