How to deal with poss PND without ADs

[Anninnymous]

I'm posting anonymously here because I don't want anyone who knows me in RL to read this.

I'm struggling to know whether or not I have PND. DD is 8 mo. A while ago I went to GP and said I may possibly have PND. After a very rudimentary questionnaire the GP (not my usual) prescribed me ADs. After confiding in a work friend she pointed out that if my work find out there is the possibility it might affect my job prospects, I can't explain it, but it might, nothing I can do about it, just might stop them giving me certain jobs, for total bureaucratic reasons. After discovering this I came off the ADs and decided that I was fine, I felt fine actually after just acknowledging that I was struggling, but the ADs made me feel worse which was another reason for me coming off them.

Now I'm not so sure. I am miserable (though not all the time). I go back to work PT soon, I'm feeling bored, frustrated, tired, crap about myself, feel like I am failing, as a wife, mother, woman. Sometimes I am ok, I can be objective about it, so I don't know if it is PND. I don't want to think it is but is that just because I don't want it to be, esp because of work?

Anyway, my point is, is there anyway I can deal with how I feel naturally, without having it on my medical records that I am on ADs. I asked the GP for counselling, apparently unless I am under 25 or "seriously mentally ill" there is nothing that they can do for me. I can't afford private counselling. I know the usual exercise etc. I am getting out more, walking every day, but it doesn't seem to be making me nicer to my DH.

Sorry, this is a bit of a ramble. I'm not sure what I want. Answers that you probably can't give. Will this go away if I try hard enough. How do I know if it is just having a new baby stuff?

Oh, I also suspect that I may have PTSD from my labour, haven't dealt with that yet, not sure how, but I don't know if that may be contributing.

There is test you can do online , I think it is called the Edinburgh test. Magnesium and Vitamin b are also very good. Someone with a bit more experience will no doubt be able to advise you better.

I got through 2 years of pnd without anything, other than chatting to a health visitor (at the 2 year pont!) and a very supportive DH, sister and mother.

It was hard and even now, I still get 'grey' days but I wanted to cope without ADs.

The Edinburgh test was for me (as it is for lots of women) a complete waste of time as I cimpletely lied and could 'read' what they wanted me to say to look normal without pnd.

Definitely look into magnesium/copper (known to cause depression) and vit B levels (you could ask for blood tests)and take supplements if you can. Five brazil nuts a day are supposed to help make you happy (selenium I think or seratonin?).

Thanks for the replies, sounds like I should just speak to my GP or midwife. The Edinburgh test (which I have had a brief look at online) is also crap with me as I can't be honest on it, too leading, and it puts ideas into my head and I can't tell what are actually my feelings IYKWIM.

Any alternative therapies anyone would recommend?

St John's Wort.
Exercise and fresh air
Rest (as if, eh?)
Treat yourself - pamper/nice bubbly bath, night out, new makeup, nice top in your colour...

I'd certainly look into your cycle and your oestrogen/copper levels because if it's something hormonal and physical, then supplements might cure the feelings your having now and then eveything will fall into place more easily(including work).

After DD1 I developed gall stones/ had depression and my eczema was really bad (all potentially linked with high copper levels and too much oestrogen. I have only recently become aware of this though and truly think that had I realised, I could have taken the correct supplement and the symptoms would have gone.

Thanks for the help. I've considered st john's wort but I am bfing, and am also taking thyroid medication so not sure I can take it.

Where would I find out about vitamin and mineral deficiencies? A nutritionist?

Sorry to read you have been having a hard time lately.

Okay employment- do you have the kind of post where your employer asks for access to medical records?does your employer use occupational health service

My understanding is that medical records are accessed only with your permission eg you consent.

In addition there needs to be a valid legitimate reason for looking, not just a spurious wee nosy about. Things that may generate interest are a pre-exisiting musculo-skeletal problem that might impede your ability to undertake job.

if on health questionnaire you flag up issues eg muscular, stress, then obviously they can ask further questions

but i think it is not allowed to be used as a performance mesurement or to impede your career progress.

obviously you need to look into this further.

but PND is a treatable illness. imo, go to GP have a candid talk, discuss your considerations about St John wort. keep open mind on AD, they are not forever. If you had angina or diabetes would you deny yourself prescribed medication?the stigmatisation of psychiatric issues does add to a reluctance to use such medication look at this leaflet

also you know what, many many people have stress and mental illness, it does not ned to be debilitating

you do need to clarify your Employer and access to Health records, put your mind at ease

anyway good luck

Thanks for your posts. The job thing i can't do much about unfortunately.

So today i went to the local children's centre to arrange an appointment with the (free) relate therapist, although lack of childcare may be my undoing.

If i can stretch to it i am going to make an appointment with a nutritional therapist at the local holistic health centre and i will make an appointment to see my gp.

I really hope i feel better soon. i feel like such a failure, i think by doing these things i will feel a bit more in control, like i am helping myself.

Nutrition therapist?what is that?do you mean a
dietetician

Look at food and mood

i know all the bad science websites are always referring to and citing Patrick Holford halfordWatch for his [http://holfordwatch.info/holford-howlers/ holford's howlers]] and poor fundamental grasp of research methodology

halfords howlers and fundamental grasp of research methodology. holford myths

nutritionist is not yet a protected title, and as such anyone can call themselves a nutritionist or practise. There are currently plans to close this loophole and set up mandatory monitoring, and registration.at present it is not mandatory and is largely self regulating