How can I cheer myself up for more than a few minutes?

[Jolleigh]

I'm just past 13 weeks with my first and feel so depressed all the time. It's so out of character for me. I'm normally an extremely happy person and on the odd occasion I do feel low, I act like I'm fine and my brain eventually catches up.

But that's just not working these past few weeks. Practically anything can tip me into seemingly uncontrollable waterworks. I'm controlling myself in work with an enormous amount of self discipline but sometimes I get home and can't face doing anything. I know DP is worried but he doesn't seem to understand that there's nothing in particular that he can fix...I flat out don't know what's wrong.

I'm not sure how to cope. I could do with all the advice I can get from anyone who's been through similar.

I'm sorry to hear you're feeling this way, but it's good that you're aware of, and keeping track of your emotions. Pregnancy hormones can throw the happiest, most emotionally balanced person into turmoil at times - for no reason whatsoever. However, it's worth remembering that many women will suffer from differing levels of depression during and after pregnancy.

I have suffered from anxiety and depression for the last 4 years. I'm 36+5 weeks pregnant today and still on 10mg of citalopram. I have had one or two mild panic attacks in the last few months but nothing compared to how I would have been off the medication.

Talk to your GP and midwife about how you're feeling - they're there to help and monitor you and they will be best placed to provide you with appropriate treatment - be it medication or some form of therapy.

I hope this helps!

Hi Jolls

I suffered with antenatal depression when I was having DS - I'd never heard of it before but apparently its similar to PND and is triggered by your hormones like postnatal depression is. Its less common but still happens quite a lot. I was referred to a counsellor for CBT (NHS prioritise you when pregnant, I had about a 6 week wait rather than 6+ months when not pregnant) and it really helped. I didn't want to take antidepressants and managed to deal with it through the CBT.

When DS was born it was like a fog lifted. I didn't have any of the baby blues that I was warned virtually all new mums get, I certainly didn't get PND, it really showed me that it was just my hormones.

Definitely get yourself to the dr, the sooner you do then the sooner you can get referred for help. Hope you're ok