PND again??

[susanb]

Hi everybody,

I was first diagnosed with PND when my son was about a year old and to cut a long story short, I was on ADs for nearly 2 years and have now been off them for about 6 months. On the whole things have been okay but over the last few weeks I have been getting that 'down' feeling again for no reason (although its hard to know whether its to do with PMS as it comes and goes). I have also started to have a little difficulty sleeping (but nothing serious) and its nothing compared to when I had PND before when I was an insomniac! I have also noticed that I cry at the slightest thing; tonight I was reading a library book to my son about a baby being born and the wording reduced me to tears! I know I have also been irritable with my partner lately. On the plus side, I have so much more get up and go compared to when I was really ill; I have a new part time job and work out reguarly, etc and on the whole have loads more energy whearas before it was a struggle to get out of bed.

I guess I'm just interested to know how other PND sufferers felt when they came off their tablets/treatment. Perhaps I am expecting too much, to feel good all the time. I am just dreading the thought it could be depression again!

Thanks in advance
Susan
x

Hi - I think that you know depression is back when you feel bad more often than feeling good. I finally admitted it when my PMT was lasting three weeks each month! The symptoms that you describe do sound like depression, but you need to speak to a doctor really. They could just be tiredness or PMT as you say.

I came off my tablets last time after being on them about a year/18 months. I knew that I was better and did not notice any lose of mood once off them. However, all drugs are different, and so are all depressions. If you are at all worried, speak to your gp. It is better to be on ads if you need them than struggle on.

I had PND twice.I thought I was the only one that felt like this sometimes it the fear of getting it again the minute you stop feeling happy is enough to send you down again.I have been off ADs for 3 years now had another baby(no PND this time) when I was seeing a counciler last year to make sure I didn't come down again she said it was normal to feel this way.I found each time I had a bout of feeling down it lasted for less time.It took me a long time to realise that it was o.k to feel sad sometimes.Nobody is completly happy.I think a lot of mothers become more emotional than when they were childless .Perhaps you have been irritable with your partner because you have had broken nights sleep.what I am trying to say is don't beat yourself up and try not to panic.