Hm. I guess the title says it all. I'm no shrink, but having struggled with depression and anxiety for most of my life, I'm comfortable diagnosing myself.
Long story short, given that I live in a superconservative area with hypervigilant CPS, I'd be foolish to go to a shrink. I got a whiff of this at my hospital stay and my son's pedi confirmed, most GYN's and psychiatrists in the area report you to social services if you admit to PPD/PPA. Fortunately, pedi put me in touch with a "rogue" GYNwho will give me some drugs and keep it between us. I'm seeing new GYN next week, but since she's a GYN, not a shrink, I prefer to go in with some reccs for drugs.
Re: Bad PPA and BF, can you reccommend me a "safe" antianxiety med?
Have you thought about maybe going to your primary physician? My OB/GYN gives me my meds for PPD but she is kind of a family friend (she delivered me and my brothers) But she has said that she can only give me meds for so long, then I need to go to my primary physician.
But as for recommending safe meds, can't help you out there. You'll have to discuss that with your Dr.
PCP's not an option... I'm aware he's reported other women to social services before for suffering from PPD. I'm firing him for that reason. :-(
But you have to think about it this way, TONS of women get PPD. That doesn't make them bad mothers and you aren't doing anything wrong by seeking help. So if your PCP did report you to social services, what are they going to do?
You aren't doing anything wrong so that shouldn't worry you.
Of course having PPD doesn't make you a bad mother! I think those who admit to having a problem and seeking help are arguably more responsible moms than those who sweep it under the rug. But as you may know, if CPS thinks you're a bad mom, they have the power to make your life really miserable.
I personally had my chart "flagged" at the hospital because my chart said I'd taken prozac a few yrs ago after a miscarriage... someone from Social Services came to my room and threatened to take DS because she didn't feel he'd be safe given that. Keep in mind, DH and I are well-educated financially stable 30 something professionals with clean records. I've never been hospitalized for mental illness; (as far as my OB is concerned) the reason for the Prozac was a one time thing when I just needed something to help me get past a tough time. Fortunately, I had a lawyer present (my sister) who got that biitch to leave me alone.
Holy crap, you really have your head together for an 18 year old! I was a complete airhead at your age. Good on you!
Your daughter is adorable, BTW.
it was hospital soc svcs actually. Probably violates hippa, but it happens frequently at that hospital from what I gather.
it 100% violates HIPPA and is illegal. you need to talk to someone regarding your PPD. thats what those laws are in place for.
Why would CPS have a problem with you seeing a psychologist? That's almost disgusting to hear. I mean, way to scare off women from getting the help they need.
Seeing a psychologist doesn't make you crazy and unable to take care of your children. Psychologists are doctors. They treat illnesses. CPS wouldn't care if you had your appendix removed, so why would PPA or PPD be any different? Blah.
Anyway, I was BFing and I was diagnosed with severe PPA. My gynecologist gave me zoloft, but I had a really bad reaction to that (my PPA increased), so she referred me to a psychologist who put me on lexapro. I started out at 15 mg, and she worked me down to 5 mg. I stayed on that for a little while and then gradually weaned off of it. Baby had no side effects, neither did I.
Evelyn (3.24.10), Graham (5.30.13) & Miles (8.28.16)