PPD?

Russiandea12

Not sure difference between ppd and being exhausted & emotional from hormones, lack of sleep etc. DH keeps calling me bipolar and FIL said I was acting depressed this weekend. I'm tired, easily frustrated and emotional so how do I know if it's more? I feel like I'm doing ok but everyone else seems to be worried about me.

deanna1313

I think the fact that other people are mentioning it to you is a sign that you should take a closer look at how you are feeling.
Do you feel badly?
It's easy for others to look at you and call you "moody" when you may simply be tired and adjusting to Motherhood.
How old is your child?
I knew something was wrong 1week postpartum. Not everyone does. I was so sad and have never been so down in my life. I was even regretting becoming a Mother.
My son is just 3months and I'm doing so much better, but this can last a long time for some people especially if it goes untreated.
Can you better describe how you are feeling and if you feel something is wrong?

Russiandea12

My DD is 4 weeks old. I feel like I'm keeping it together but I have been crying often, worrying about something happening to dd especially at night to point where I wake up panickingthe I fell asleep with her in bed even though I double check just her in pnp before I turn off the light. I've also been easily frustrated by my dh and DS (3 1/2 yrs old.) I take buspar for anxiety (have since pregnancy prior was on celexa.) I love dd and cuddling with her but bf is taking a toll on me due to lake if sleep. My dh says I over exaggerate how difficult things are. Dd has been a good eater and sleeper but newborns are still hard. I've taken Zoloft in the past but have me bad headaches, so I can't switch to that and anything else would mean giving up bf which not sure ready to do. I had similar feelings with my DS and thats when started on anti anxiety meds.

deanna1313

It's possible that you have PPD, but only a dr can really tell you that. You may have PPA which is overlooked a lot of times. I have a combination if both.
I'm sure you're not exaggerating. Everything is very difficult, I'm sure.
I'm not on any meds. Zoloft gave me bad reactions and I'm also breastfeeding so I'm not trying anything else and my psychologist said that I'm functioning(eating, sleeping and able to have a happy conversation) so I don't have to take meds.
Do you have intrusive thoughts? Thoughts if dropping your baby or something bad happening to her that scare you? Hope you don't mind me asking you, but it is a big symptom that a lot of women have.

flcl

Childbirth and taking care of a newborn is so exhausting and those first few weeks can be really emotional.  Add in sleep deprivation and struggling with BF, that can make anyone feel like they're losing it.  That said, it is probably still a good idea for you to talk to your doctor about how you've been feeling.  If your doctor thinks that meds will help, you may want to see a psychiatrist to figure out what meds would be best.  I agree with PP that most people talk about and screen for PPD, PPA is more common.  

I would also take some time to talk to your H to discuss how you feel and what kind of help you need.  Calling you bipolar and saying that you're over exaggerating doesn't sound too supportive to me.  GL.

deanna1313

Very true! Just the support alone from your husband may make a big difference in your feeling better PPD or not.
Hang in there and hopefully things will get better soon!

ladylisalt

flcl said:

Childbirth and taking care of a newborn is so exhausting and those first few weeks can be really emotional.  Add in sleep deprivation and struggling with BF, that can make anyone feel like they're losing it.  That said, it is probably still a good idea for you to talk to your doctor about how you've been feeling.  If your doctor thinks that meds will help, you may want to see a psychiatrist to figure out what meds would be best.  I agree with PP that most people talk about and screen for PPD, PPA is more common.  

I would also take some time to talk to your H to discuss how you feel and what kind of help you need.  Calling you bipolar and saying that you're over exaggerating doesn't sound too supportive to me.  GL.

I completely agree with this. Exhaustion from bf and lack of sleep make me very emotional and slightly depressed. I went through this last pregnancy and professionals told me I was on the cusp of PPD but it was never fully diagnosed. Luckily it eventually went away. My dr. quickly prescribed me something like Zoloft but I only took 1 and realized I didnt want to be on it. I am struggling with these same feelings now just not as often as last time but I think mine set in more around a month. If you feel horrible daily, I would def. try to see a therapist, it can help even if its temporary