How do you move on from PPD?

[DoesItGetBetterSoon]

Just that really. The first 7 months of my son’s life were so difficult for me. Now many of the issues we faced are resolved and he’s happy and healthy. I am privileged in so many ways. On the surface I have the perfect life. But I feel stuck. Unable to move on. I think it’s because all the people who should have been there for me at the darkest time in my life weren’t. I had no support. And now everyone gets to continue like normal while I have to spend the rest of my days on this earth knowing no one will ever take care of me if things are bad, no one cares if I live or die. I’m playing pretend every day. Everything feels hollow. Has anyone else felt this way? How do you carry on knowing your lovely life is just a veneer and you’re truly on your own?

I'm sorry the people that 'should' have been there for you (and I hope that doesn't include the professional health services, if it does then you have the option to contact PALS) weren't, but part of being an adult is being independent and in control of your own life. Hopefully you will be able to look back at this part of your life in months or years to come and realise that it made you resilient and resourceful.

People are not very good at anticipating other people's needs. It might be worth telling the people who weren't there for you one thing they could do now to help you e.g. a phone call once a week because it'll be helpful to have connections as your DC gets bigger and more troublesome.

It feels from what you’re saying that whole issues are resolved for your son they aren’t for you. You need a support network and now is a good time to try to (re)build that. I definitely know that when I most needed support I did not ask for it and while I thought it was obvious I was drowning some of those near me had very little idea anything was wrong.

Is it worth revisiting your MH support to ask for further input?