PND - what is the treatment

[PollyPocket245]

Hi all :), my HV has referred me to the mental health team for PND after a long time denying it. I was wondering what the treatment actually is? Is there an assessment? Would I be given medication? I know a lot depends on your situation but I’m curious to know people’s experiences if you feel comfortable sharing.
Thank you xxx

It depends on you. For some it's medication (some of which can be taken while breastfeeding) for some talking therapy works best.

I had talking therapy as really I just needed help process a few things

I had talking therapy but although it helped it didn't help loads. I'm on sertraline which definitely helps.

I'm now looking into cbt and hypnotherapy so I can reduce the sertraline.

Also yes - lots of assessments- to gage your level of depression and anxiety.

Ridiculous questions about tiredness which is great for parents if little ones 😂

I had medication and taking therapies 14 years ago for pnd.
Talking therapies do an assessment every appointment. So did the GP actually whenever I needed a new prescription.

You’ll have an assessment with a MH professional (nurse/psychologist/OT depending on the team) who will ask about your symptoms, worrying thoughts, family, support, history. There might also be a psychiatrist there.

Treatment is usually a combination of talking therapy and medication, but all options will be discussed with you before any decisions made. Well done on reaching out, it’s not easy.

Thank you for your replies, its reassuring to hear they do something. It’s been so hard to try and tell someone I need help, I think I’m scared I’ll be ignored or told it’s not that bad

Well done for reaching out. Really well done. For me sertraline helped PNA but it did cause me other issues like reducing my sex drive to 0 which affected my relationship more than the anxiety. It got to the point I hated him touching me for a cuddle or being affectionate in the slightest so I came off the medication and being open and honest with my partner and having regular chats about how I'm feeling, whether it be happy/sad/anxious keeps it under control now:) you will get there, have faith in yourself x

I had CBT which was quite helpful. Medication was suggested but I was quite cautious because of the side effects, I’m now glad I didn’t go down that route.

Oh my goodness @5678hfdtu I have this exact problem I’m on sertraline for pnd and 0 sex drive do not want partner touching me I describe it as feeling numb, I thought it was the depression? Did your sex drive come back once off it ? I’ve even been considering splitting up as I thought maybe I just don’t like my partner anymore as I have no desire. Can I ask what dosage you were on if you don’t mind ? X

I don't think they will tell you it's not that bad or not give you anything to help if you have been referred to the mental health team. I'm on 150mg sertraline and I've only ever seen the gp and health visitor.

@hs0201 I thought the exact same! We almost broke up, was so confused because I still had love just didn't want him anywhere near me. I did some research into the side effects and reduced sex drive was one. I went cold turkey (which you probably shouldn't do) but it saved us! We are back to normal, he believes I do actually love him now because we cuddle/kiss/have sex again. What the internet/gp should say is reduced sex drive and reduced need for affection! My anxiety has returned a bit but instead of relying on tablets I go to him for cuddle or reassurance. The relationship problems are probably causing you more anxiety than when you weren't taking it tbh, I was on 50mg a day :)

Thank you for your honest experiences, it’s so helpful. I’ve always been reluctant to go on medication, years ago I was given Prozac for an unrelated issue and had such a bad reaction I swore I would never again but I’m seriously reconsidering due to how I feel. It sounds like sertraline is the main one they prescribe? Cbt also sounds like a good option but I’m not sure how quickly people feel the benefit of that. Anything is worth a go at this point! Xx

I have pnd, I was already under the perinatal mh team as I was a very high risk of developing post partum mental illness. I have a cpn with them who I see every few weeks

They have increased my dose of my existing medication. This hasn't helped so I have a review tomorrow to see if another medication would be more helpful.
There is potentially the option for therapy through the perinatal team but at the moment my mood is too low to effectively engage with therapy. If I wasn't under the perinatal team there is a healthy minds service I could self refer to for therapeutic support.
My health visitors have arranged for me to have a 1-2-1 baby massage course to help me bond better with my little one. They offer listening appointments which I have had 1 session of, the hv came and we just talked about how I was finding being a mother and life and less about how baby was doing. They are also getting in touch with the infant parenting service for advice on how they can continue to help me and my little one.
I was also pointed in the direction of a peer support group in my area, they aren't doing in person groups currently but they have a WhatsApp group which I find helpful.

There are lots of different options for treating pnd depending on your personal needs. Have you had any thoughts about what would help you?

@PollyPocket245 - hey well done for taking the next step, very proud of you.

I had ante natal depression during my pregnancy, my daughter is now 14 months old and I’m still down.

I don’t know if it’s lifestyle changes, personal circumstances or if it’s PND that’s causing me to feel how I do.

The best way I can describe it is:

• on my really down days I feel like I’m in quicksand struggling to breathe and need air.

• on an average day I do feel very numb to everything, I’m blessed in many ways but why am I not warm and fuzzy and happy inside?

Could this be PND...