Is this PND?

[Verso]

Not sure... I've had PND before but I thought I was ok this time. First baby was a traumatic birth and I was physically very unwell for a long time afterwards (almost a year). I eventually was diagnosed with PND - not surprising as I had a baby that didn't sleep at all for eight months.

This time round I've been convincing myself I'm just exhausted. But the mood swings are getting worse and I just feel so ANGRY all the time. Nothing my DH does is good enough, poor man - and I just HATE HATE HATE being on maternity leave. I just HATE IT. I feel so empty and useless and just like all the coffees and lunches and so on are me barely clinging to normality.

I find myself begging my husband for some time off as though I am worth less than him. What's happened to my assertiveness?

Now I'm thinking about antidepressants but I know they will make me even more obese (I'm a size 18 and not happy about it) and I know that's shallow but I have had weight issues before and have only just accepted my size... and oh God I want to go back to work I hate this.

Is this postnatal depression or should I slap myself about the head and just grow up?

Yes it sound's like PND to me. You don't need any reason other than 'having had a baby' to qualify. You certainly don't need to slap yourself about the head and grow up.

I'm with you on the AD/weight gain. I gained weight when I was on them though being on them really helped me at the time. I'm seeing a therapist now though my 'problems' are more deep-rooted than simply PND. Having PND brought things to the surface.

Talk to your GP. Tell them about your weight gain concerns. There are lots of different ADs. Or try counselling.

hi verso ,ive had pnd 2 times now and it does sound that way,im glad you have realised your not right and now's the time to something about it b4 it gets out of control.
i also gained weight on ad's but i have to say i would rather that then feel so ill with depression you have to decide which is more important to you
for me my mental health always comes first -my body i can sort later.
please see your gp and talk it through .
wishing you luck xx