Depression and anxiety

[Shetom]

Hello, I am just wondering if anyone has been through a similar experience with their depression? Since I had my son, I have suffered more significant mental health problems. During my pregnancy, I was overcome with feeling insecure about myself and my relationship. I never spoke to anyone about this and just continued as ‘normal’. After several months of feeling this way, it did subside for a short time. Several months ago, I started to feel anxiety about death and who would look after my child, if I died? More recently I have noticed that I have been obsessive with reading harrowing news stories that involve a mother and child’s death. This has made me sob continuously but I have not been able to stop reading the same thing over and over. Has anyone experienced anything like this?

I have made an appointment to see a doctor but I really don’t like taking medication, if that’s what they will prescribe. I think I must have mental health issues, probably stemming from my childhood, as it was not a good one. I don’t feel suicidal and I love my child but I just become overwhelmed with sadness at times. So much so that it has started to effect my day to day. Does anyone recommend any books that helped with this type of thing? Controlling negative thoughts? Thanks

You are not alone - I'm exactly tye same and just starting on meds. It's horrible when we can't get out of our heads especially when it's a negative cycle. Pm if you want to chat x

Hi OP, sorry to hear your struggling. I don't have a similar experience to share. But did want to ask you to go to your GP and ask for help. There is no shame in what you are going through, and you don't have to feel that way. GL and be kind to yourself!

When your mind gets a idea that it considers important - in this case your (highly unlikely) premature death - it will start looking for examples and validations that this is reasonable thing to think. It's called the Reticular Activating System and it's why you start seeing a particular make and model of car everywhere once you've decided to buy that car. It's also why you can hear your own name mentioned in a noisy room.

Hopefully knowing this is 'normal' can help you put it into perspective. Have a look at death rates for your age - if you are 30 (for example) the statistical likelihood of you dying is 0.000976 and your life expectancy is 50.79 years.*

If you still can't shake the feeling you could consider a short course of therapy.

*https://www.ssa.gov/oact/STATS/table4c6.html

Hey there, as a mother I think you are now going to be more sensitive to this kind of stuff. I am/was a heartless bitc!, but since having a child I can tear up at soap operas. It is is ridiculous, but apparently normal.

But for interest, I recommend the video below. Diet is super important to maintain decent mental health.

Dr. Georgia Ede - 'Our Descent into Madness: Modern Diets and the Global Mental Health Crisis'

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