pnd how long after birth?

[newmama0]

any one know how long after giving birth you can suffer from pnd?

My GP diagnosed me when my DC was 9 months, but obvioulsy I'd been suffering for a while.

my gp told me today that

i couldnt have pnd after 7mts

and i couldnt be depressed and to stop being silly!!!!

I was diagnosed when ds was 18 months old but to be honest I was over the worst b then! Only went to the gp thanks to MN. Looking back it kicked in with the baby blues at 9 days old and escalated horribly.

for up to 2 years IIRC.

i was treated for it both times immediately after birth and am due to see consultant on Friday for antenatal depression. again.

Expat - I was treated for antenatal depression with dd and it made such a massive difference I can't even put it into words!!!!!

Newmama0 - how do you feel?

newmama, go and see another GP, if there is one at your practice. I was so worried that my GP wouldn't belive me, but thankfully he did.You don't need to be explaining yourself to eeegit GPs when your'e feeling low.

Yes I would agree with the last 2 posts - 18 months - 2 years. Certainly if it is less than a year after the birth it should be classed as pnd. (I am a mental health nurse.)

newmama0 - I wonder if you would feel up to seeing a different GP as your current one doesn't sound much good (understatement emoticon. Perhaps if there is another GP in the practice, or is your HV approachable/sympathetic.

Anyway, whether the GP chooses to call it pnd OR "just" depression, if you have signs and symptoms of depression s/he should be treating you regardless.

not myself

ive been fine then in about jan starting feeling terrible

as i rule im confident, happy and dont stress.

but ive started taking everything to heart, crying at anything, snapping at dh and dc for no reason.

and ive started doubting myself in parenting, driving anything really! i panic and stress over little things.

i cant sleep, eat and would not get out of bed if it wasnt for my two ds

Obviously we can't give you a diagnosis on here. Some of the things you mention are common in people who are feeling depressed. Your GP (or another GP as your one hasn't been helpful) should ask you some further questions and listen to your answers, then decide with you if you need further support.

This might mean various things - some people find medication helpful. Other people are referred for some sort of talking therapy or help from a crisis team. You may live in an area where there is a dedicated peri-natal nurse/service.

Hope you get the help you need soon.

I'm going to have my meds adjusted, Toothy.

I'm really looking forward to feeling better!

newmama0 - echo that you should see another gp. You could be back to your old self soon. MN really helps. Talking about it really helps first and foremost. Just realising that you're not alone and you're not alone in stressing about things you know you shouldn't be. My signs of anxiety and stress are physical as well as emotional.

Expat - I completely know how you feel.... and I hope you get it all sorted out. At least you're completely forewarned... always a better/stronger situation to be in.

it's hard admitting it's happening again.

but i can't deal with the panic attacks anymore or that horrible, claustrophobic feeling.

Also meant to say that if you are feeling vulnerable after your first attempt at seeing the GP (I would be) you could always take a friend or dp/dh or someone else with you for added support.

thanks going to see another gp. i know something isnt right.

when i joined mn the other week it was because i was really at breaking point. didnt think i
could keep up the act any longer

i didnt expect to be told i was a silly girl (gp's words) for finally asking for help.

thank you all for your advice

and heres to getting better

I was always led to believe that PND was up to a year after baby was born! I was a fellow sufferer of PND, spent a good couple of months on a normal pyschiatric (sp) ward before they finally moved me onto a mother and baby ward. Whatever happens to you do not take any nonsense. I was getting help, but gradually went down and down and down;

Good luck, think positive, you will come through it, honest, could be a few weeks, a few months, or even a few years, eventually you will get there!

and very that a GP would refer to any female patient of whatever age as a "silly girl" that is outrageous.

Yes, here's to getting better.

ive a wonderful dh, and two ds and yes ds1 (3) is playing up at the moment but i think he is picking up on just how sh**ty i feel

and i have a great support group but its got to the point where im so scared at what people will say, that i dont say anything,

and then things just get worse and worse. and ds2 (7mts) is so good yet sometimes i look at him and i do everything im suppose to do but i cant seem to bond i dolove him just cant seem to show him

does
that make any sense im crying so hard cos thats the first time ive admitted it

Diagnosed at around 6/7 months, although kind of knew something wasn't right straight after having dd. Dd now nearly 11 months and think I've shaken my pnd. Am at group therapy though don't think it's been that that's helped it!

newmama0 you sound so much like someone I know.......

DD3 was such a perfect baby, slept through the night from 10 days old (as in 8pm - 6am), smiley baby, just lay in her chair, watching the world go round. Waited for me to feed her (I was breast feeding). She was gorgeous! In fact I think she knew that I could not cope with anything else. Have to say I beat my self black and blue because she was so good, why couldn't I cope, what was wrong with me. What was wrong with DD!

She is now 8 and certainly things have changed!!!! She is my live wire, very bubbly and very active! She is fantastic.

Please do not worry if you have a really good baby (be grateful) Please just try and enjoy! hard I know!

I was around 6 months after ds1. AD's were a lifesaver - literally!

pinkbubble thats how i feel

how can i feel i can not cope with this happy little boy who doesnt really cry and sleeps.

if im truthfull i had the babyblues 3-4 days after birth and havent really felt myself since he was born,

but then in jan something happened to me and i just seem to falling deeper and deeper into this black hole that i cant seem to crawl back out

newmama0 how are you today? I went to bed and missed your later posts yesterday. You sounded really upset.

I had mild pnd when dd was about 15/18 months old. The gp said it can happen up to about 3 years, I think. He prescribed me magnesium and vit b, it was miraculous.

hi everyone thanks for support last night just felt really sh*y!

ive had a good long talk to hv and she is v supportive and i have made another appointment to see a different gp. (female)

i dont think i helped matters yesterday when i spoke to gp. i think i may have glossed over how i am really feeling and wasnt as truthfull as i could have been.