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Can going back to work trigger PPD?

jennabird37jennabird37
in Working Moms
I have been back to work for about a month and I am really losing my ability to cope with large and small frustrations.  I feel really detached and like I am running to stay in one place.  Is this normal for returning to work or something more serious?
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Re: Can going back to work trigger PPD?

  • ShufflerChickShufflerChick
    I'd say normal for both having a newborn and for returning to work, but I don't know the extent of what you're feeling. I felt much the same way for a long time - overwhelmed, yelling at the smallest frustration, etc. Now, I don't know if I had ppd or something similar, but it was rough those first few months back. Whether it's ppd or not, it never hurts to talk to someone to get some perspective. And get help from family/friends when you can - I remember everyone was always so willing to help and I always turned it down, and that led to a lot more frustration because I was doing too much. Good luck, hope you feel better soon.
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  • capitalBcapitalB
    I definitely think the transition can trigger PPD. Whether it's diagnosable or just normal, it couldn't hurt to talk to someone about what you are feeling right now. I only recognized this in retrospect, and I wish I had gotten help when I was in the thick of it. Good luck!
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  • TKx2TKx2
    I suffered from the same thing when I went back to work (and quite frankly, still am almost 2 years later).  My OB said it wasn't technically PPD because that has to onset withing 6 weeks (I think I'm remembering that right).  She called it reactionary depression.  She put me on anxiety and depression meds but they made me so loopy I had to stop taking them.  I'm having a really tough time right now and am looking into therapy to try to help me manage my stress better.  I'd definitely talk to your doctor about it. 
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  • JulielovesBen06JulielovesBen06 member

    I definitely experienced this when I went back to work.  I was home with my son for ~5 months, and it took a few months (5 ish, so, like 10 months postpartum) after I went back to work to really recognize how horrible I felt.  Like you said, I was simply unable to cope anymore.  I remember telling my husband that when I woke up in the morning that I just wanted to disappear from my own life.  And I'd tell myself, I'm supposed to be so happy, I have this beautiful baby and amazing husband - what is WRONG with me?  

    I ended up letting those feelings go so long that I called my OB in tears, a sobbing mess.  They offered to prescribe me something, but I opted to go to therapy instead.  I went 2x/month, and it was expensive, but, the best money I ever spent.  

    It wasn't labeled as PPD, but a lot of the emotions were similar:  I can't do anything the way I WANT to anymore.  I felt inadequate and incapable of everything - my child, my job, who I was as a wife.  

    Anyway, call your OB.  Ask if they can refer you to a therapist, or give you a prescription if you want one.  Ask for help.  

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  • DTNZ4EverDTNZ4Ever member
    PPD has to have an onset within 4 weeks of giving birth. However you can have some sort of mood disorder going on. I would contact your primary doctor and see if they can refer to a psychiatrist they are more knowledgable with medications for mood stabalization then your OB or PP as well as a therapist.
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  • BlairWaldorfBlairWaldorf member

    Yes, a lifestyle change can absolutely trigger symptoms of PPD.

    I would talk to your OB about this.  It could be a passing thing as you adjust to your new schedule & demands, or it could be more serious - but it won't hurt to talk to soemone.

    & PP, postpartum depression can onset at any time in the first year after birth.

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  • cheex090cheex090
    imageBlairWaldorf:

    Yes, a lifestyle change can absolutely trigger symptoms of PPD.

    I would talk to your OB about this.  It could be a passing thing as you adjust to your new schedule & demands, or it could be more serious - but it won't hurt to talk to soemone.

    & PP, postpartum depression can onset at any time in the first year after birth.

    This is what I've always read as well.

     OP, I think going back to work can definitely trigger PPD. I felt the same way, especially in my first 2 weeks. I'm a month in now and still have days where I feel like I just don't care about anything. I THINK I want to be at home with LO, but in reality if I were doing that every day I doubt I'd feel better. The feelings I have now aren't nearly as severe as they were at first, so I'm chopping it off to going through a transition...but if it were to come back in full force I'd probably consider seeing my Dr.

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  • CA_EAMCA_EAM
    My OB says it does and did for me.  However, my mom (a doc) says I had situational depression, as when I came back to work there was a whole bunch of political crap I was dealing with.  My OB actually offered to write me out of work.  I didn't and I didn't take the drugs either.  Mostly b/c I am stubborn like that and I was BFing.  I still feel pretty loony most days, so I am thinking about revisiting the subject of meds soon.  But things did improve.  It is really hard to find the line.  But find comfort in the fact that you are not alone!
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