How long is this gonna last?

logansmommy0418

My son is almost 11 months old and I still find myself struggling almost daily even though I'm on antidepressants I try to hang out with other moms to become active and to get out and do stuff it's just not working does anybody have any tips? Is this normal? I'd really appreciate some feedback

dufferoo

well im not sure i can be of terrific help as my children are older now, and i am solidly through the adjustment to parenthood, but i still wanted to reach out to you. i think of postpartum depression as many types of depression, in that it is something that you recover from sssllloooowly, with lots of ups and downs, which is part of what makes it so difficult; it’s so hard to measure progress, which makes it hard to believe you will ever feel “better.” that was tricky even to word because i think sometimes with depression we wind up waiting around for things to go back to “normal,” but with parenting being such a radical lifestyle adjustment, it’s more about allowing a “new normal” to unfold.

i tend to think regular counseling can be as helpful if not more so than medication- there’s just so much to vent about as a new mom! a trained counselor who knows the nuances of your particular journey will likely have more specific tips and coping mechanisms for you. exercise has also been an absolute lifesaver for me over the years. it sucks, and i hate it, and i’m often way too exhausted, BUT a lot of gyms offer free childcare while you work out, starting at about age 1, and that alone can provide some much needed respite, but coupled with the proven depression-fighting benefits of regular cardio, i would say it’s definitely worth the effort.

regarding how long will it last, i wish i had a better answer for you except to say that spring always comes. its the end of february, the pit of hell for many, ppd or no ppd! in a month your baby will be 1 and it will be almost april. my completely uneducated prognosis is that that will be the beginning of the end of the hardest days for you. good luck out there!