help.....

[youngmummy17]

I am really quite scared to put is on here in fear of being judged but I am really struggling to be a mum, it's not DS fault i had post natal depression and it seems to have never gone away I just don't know who to contact the local 'help' centre is very wary with depressed/suicidal mothers as they phone social services, I am in no way a danger to DS just myself I find myself so alone I don't know where to go to get some help I just want to be happy

Your health visitor or your GP will be able to help you. They will have seen plenty of mums in your position and should be able to give you the advice and support you need.

Have you got any family around that you could talk to, or maybe even take to an appointment with you?

My daughter had her DS when she was young, and I know she felt that she had to prove that she could cope etc for that very reason, but PND is no respecter of age, race, class or experience!

Please talk to someone x

hi, how old is your ds, what you really need is to spend time with other people, preferably in your situation (i take it from your name you are 17?) i was 17 when i had my dd and 19 when i had my ds. It is hard, but there are places you can go to meet new people.

I got referred by my health visitor to a young parents group, which was great fun and free, maybe have a chat with your health visitor, tell her you're struggling with lonliness and see what she suggests.

Hi young mummy, I was a young mum too, 17 when i had my first, and a single mum of two by the time I turned 19. I too have had PN and depression.

its a shame your local centre has that attitude. its very very rare for a child to be removed from its mum because mum is ill with depression.

are you at home with your child? (ie not working or at college) isolation is a terrible thing. Maybe you could start a college course so that you are getting time to yourself and meeting new people. Do you have any friends nearby that you could make a regular date with? or go to a local mums and tots group to meet new friends with children the same age as your DS.

I also heartily recommend 'homestart' a charity that assigns you a volunteer who will come round once a week for a couple of hours so you can rest or do somethign for yourself.

last of all, go to your GP. tell them how you are feeling, they will be able to help, and things will get better soon. be persistent and don't allow yourself to be fobbed off. make sure the GP knows you are alone with a small child and that you need to be well so that you can look after him.

Ooo yes, had forgotten about HomeStart. I was a volunteer for them about six years ago. They do baby groups too. I think socialising is important right now, even though you may not feel like it. It will benefit your DS too :)