8 months PP - auditory hallucinations

[nervouss]

Hi,

I had my baby 8 months ago. The first few weeks I was fine, but when I hit around 5 weeks PP I started having visual hallucinations. I believe these have gone away although i do have occasions where i question if i saw what i thought i saw.
I've been dealing with auditory hallucinations for around 5 months now.

At first I was hearing people around me saying horrible things, mainly about my parenting.

That still remains, but for the most part I just feel like I'm in a very crowded room or a busy train stations, constant chatter from other people, the occasional voice louder than all the rest. I also hear a baby crying a lot, a horrific, pained or terrified cry!

I do not believe that these voices are around me, or that the crying is my own baby and I knew the visual hallucinations were also not real!

I have been referred to the perinatal team, had an initial visit and the lady said she would take the information she has gathered back to base and discuss the next steps.

I know it's most likely very different for every person, but what could the next steps be?

My doctor has previously given me 4 different kinds of antidepressants over the last 5 or so months. No difference, occasionally make symptoms worse or trigger new symptoms.

I suppose my other main question is, anyone that has dealt with similar, did it go away eventually? Were you able to stop medication eventually? Or am I stuck with these symptoms for the rest of my life?

When are perinatal meant to give you an update? Perhaps antidepressants won’t help & you need a different type of medication. It’s really positive that you’re saying you know the hallucinations aren’t real. There can be lots of reasons for hallucinations too.

Sorry you're struggling @nervouss and glad you've sought help. Maybe a silly question, but are you sleep deprived, as this won't help? There are other medications that can help - possibly antidepressants are not what you need. When are you expecting to hear from the perinatal team again? Absolutely no reason to think that this will be a long term issue 💐

partial seizures can involve the senses. has your gp checked for organic causes?

I was just told the waiting list is long.

There definitely seems to be a pattern in when the hallucinations are worse and they the "main voice" says something that makes me think of my ex who was very abusive.

Doctor gave me medication for sleep & the headaches I constantly have, so I don't think it's so much sleep deprivation. It seems to be big changes or changes in my routine that make me anxious that make the voices louder.

Perinatal team have also said they might investigate if I'm possibly neurodivergent

If things are worsening, you can contact the perinatal team and let them know that you're struggling with hallucinations and need to be seen.

You need to ask for an antipsychotic, not an antidepressant. Make a nuisance of yourself, call them every day- you shouldn't have to live like this. Sending love.

That sounds really difficult- I’m sorry you’re going through this.

Can I ask please
1- when were you
seen by the perinatal team? Did the person you met give you any sense of when you would hear back from them?

There are long waits for different things- so an NDD assessment or psychology for trauma are each likely to have long waiting times. But there may be other treatments (like antipsychotics if necessary)
2- how are you feeling generally? Aside from the hallucinations that is?

I hope you have some help/ support

I have an appointment at the hospital with a doctor, but I know i won't be able to get myself into a position where I can attend. The perinatal team did a home visit after I couldn't attend a video call...

I'm worried I will lose my opportunity to get the necessary help by not being able to attend an appointment there, but I'm also not currently capable of making phone calls as I can't be 100% sure of what I'm hearing during them...

I have Schizoaffective disorder and get auditory hallucinations- I am just starting a new anti psychotic to treat these as my old one didn’t work very well.
It sounds as if you have Post Natal Psychosis which is treatable and hopefully once it is treated you will not need to be in medication for a very long time, unlike me.
Basically you need to start anti psychotics asap. Especially as you have a baby to care for; it’s dangerous to be in psychosis without support.
You need to be completely honest with the perinatal team and tell them exactly what is happening to you.
Why can’t you attend the dr appointment- you should do everything you can to attend it.
Also contact the perinatal team if possible - tell them exactly what you have said here about what you hear when using the phone - tell them you are losing your grip on reality.
Also contact your gp surgery / practice nurse / health visitor- tell them your concerns!!
And if you feel really unwell you can attend A&E.

Please take care of yourself, good luck x

Is there anyone who can pass this message on- you need help and have to really ask for it unfortunately.

They've actually cancelled the appointment as I have an at risk mental health team, perinatal team and nursery nurse involved and knew it would be too much happening at one.

The at risk mental health team have been amazing. A difficult first assessment, but I finally feel heard and supported