Recovering from PND

[Lostlostlost3]

I am suffering from crippling PND. I feel that through the birth of my children I've completely lost who I am. I don't even recognise myself in the mirror.

Here's where you can help! What can I do to feel better (style and beauty wise)? I need a skin care routine. I'm the wrong side of 35 and have no clue where to start.

Help me wise people.

I hope that apart from style & beauty (which I think is v important to feeling yourself again) you're seeing a therapist /considering medication. I found medication really helped.

Are there any particular S&B issues troubling you? For me, losing pregnancy weight was crucial because not being able to wear my pre-pregnancy clothes made me very down.
In terms of beauty - how is your skin? Did you wear makeup every day prior to birth? What do you think you have time for?
What's your hair like - is it low maintenance or in need of a different cut/deep conditioning?

Hope that you are okay, and as BlackSwan says, getting help for your PND. Sending love.

In terms of S&B, I find sticking to a routine helps to cement the feeling that I am prioritising myself.

In the day, I take an effervescent vitamin tablet, wash my face with a flannel and apply face moisturiser & SPF50.

In the evening, I take vitamin D drops, fish oil capsules and a magnesium tablet. I also shower, use facial cleanser, wash and blow dry my hair, apply body moisturiser, and retinol to face.

Weekly I have a bath, and also wear a sheet mask, exfoliate, moisturise and apply fake tan.

For frivolous things: apply perfume every morning, wear a tinted lip balm, keep hand cream close by, apply brow gel etc. Also paint nails on and hoc basis if the mood takes me.

Longer term: keep on top of hair cuts (limited success here...), ad-hoc hair masks

Good luck with everything x

I'm sorry to hear you have PND, it's good you have recognised it and hopefully spoken to a GP and getting support. I had PND with my last, and found medication made the world of difference to my mindset.

I also felt the same, lost my identity somewhat. I started with the basics, taking vitamins and supplements, drinking lots of water and cutting out alcohol. Introduced a skincare routine, cleanser, exfoliator, toner, tretinoin, hyaluronic acid serum. moisturiser and SPF.

I also focused on my post pregnancy hair, taking Viviscal to limit the post partum hairloss and just improving hair health, and adding philip kingsley elasticiser to my routine to make it silky soft and manageable.

Self care is very important, spend some time doing things for you that make you happy, try new things and put yourself first.

I had PND too I’m sorry you are going through it too. It’s awful. I tried to solider on with supplements etc but nothing made any noticeable difference apart from medication. For me I got myself back and stopped being exhausted all the time and started enjoying my children and my life!
When you are really short of time I think multi tasking things like nars cc cream are great because it is moisture, spf and make your skin look better. So that and mascara make you look and feel so much better and only take 2 mins.
Look on Pinterest for messy buns and easy hairstyles that you can do in seconds and either get regular cuts or a very low maintenance cut (eg no fringes or roots to keep up with).
If you can have something to get up and out for most days like playgroups, coffee with another mum, a walk to the park that really helps. As does getting showered and drying your hair and putting a bit of make up and getting out of your joggers.
Going to a yoga class helped me.
And remembering I am important too eg. If I pack everyone else a water bottle and a healthy snack, to pack the same for me - I’d some how forgotten myself 🙁
Good luck getting through this. You will get there

Walk every day! Really helped me to get out of PND fog.