Depression - what next?

[jaype]

Okay, so I am 17 weeks pg with no3 and have really not been feeling myself... I have days (about once a week to 10 days) of being very tearful and miserable, doing anything seems too much and I am snapping at H and the dcs and just generally wanting everyone to go away and leave me alone. I do realise this is pretty definitely prenatal depression - H and I went through a very hard time last year because he did something terrible and we split up for a bit, then a member of my family was seriously ill. I think it's suddenly all come back to get me and I keep dwelling on it.

Question is, what happens when you tell the doctor? I have been keeping this from everyone as I thought I'd just get through it but finally told the midwife last week, who said I should see the GP. Finally admitting how I felt actually made me feel much better for a week or so, but I can feel it coming on again. So, once I get the courage up to see them, what can they do? I'm not keen on medication so does anyone know if they give you counselling and how long it takes to get an appointment for that? Thanks

Hiya

Firstly, well done on working up the courage to talk to your MW. I know how hard it is to admit you're struggling, to anyone.

GPs, generally, are pretty good about depression. I've just gone back on my prozac (Am 26+6 with my first) and feeling so much better. I came off everything when I found out I was pregnant but it just got too much. I'm not going to force you - obviously!!! - into taking medication, but please try and keep an open mind in reference to it. They tend to kick in with about two weeks, and just make everything that bit easier to deal with and process. There are specialist antenatal mental health teams you can talk to if you do choose to go down this route. I also have plenty of information I'm happy to share with you

Counselling wise - from my experience, it took about six weeks to get an appointment four weeks later... So you're looking at about two and a half months. Of course it varies from place to place, but that's just from my friends and families - and my own - use of the system.

You could also talk to your MW again, see if there are any antenatal support groups around for you to use in the waiting period.

Good luck with everything, and keep talking - it trully helps. I hope you feel better soon. x

Thanks - that has probably given me the boost I need to make the initial appointment. We have friends coming to stay shortly so I didn't want them to know about it through me having to run about for appontments and coming back looking upset because I've had to talk everything through. The longer i leave it the worse it will be so I had better get started. I know nothing moves fast in the NHS... If you have refs for information I'm very happy to have them - thanks again!

I'm not sure about a support group - we moved to a relatively small town a year ago and I am increasingly finding that everyone is related to each other or knows each other through something and I don't want my business being broadcast about!

I'm glad I can be of some help. And what you've said is exactly true - the longer you leave it, the worse it will be. It gets more difficult the longer you put it off as well. Finally got the same thing through to my DP last night

I can TOTALLY understand that..!! Just a suggestion, but if you're in such a small place, that makes complete sense