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PPD or just life circumstances

Nancy6306Nancy6306 member
in Postpartum Depression

I've never posted on this board before but have a question regarding depression after baby.

I often wonder how much of the depression is hormonal or just the circumstances and change that comes our way after the baby.

My youngest will be 1 in three weeks. I can tell you that the last few years have been challenging for DH with so many changes that took place in a very short amount of time. We got married in 2006, he adopted my daughter from my previous marriage, I moved an hour a way from my home state to his, we welcomed our first baby together in 2007. In 2008, we grieved a 15 week miscarriage. In 2009, we grieved our 2nd loss at 11 weeks. I was diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma (small, non cancerous brain tumor) that was causing all kinds of hormonal havoc. Baby #3 born in 2010. My husband works nights and sleeps days. I felt lonely and overwhelmed most of the time. My family offered little support due to the distance we lived. We sold a house and built a new one. HIs parents are gone to FL from Jan-May, and even when in MA, they live about 40 minutes away. I transitioned to someone who worked full time to being a full time stay at home mom. Needless to say more, it was a lot in a short amount of time.

Most days I feel like crying but I shake it off quickly because I have three children that need and depend on me to be OK and meet their needs. I would say it's a mild depression....who wouldn't be. I think what really through me over the edge was discovering that DH was having an emotional affair. It was the perfect storm. I think even the most medicated person would have a hard time with all of this. 

I guess my question, perhaps it's more of a statement, is that PPD can also be more of life circumstances that you have to work through than just a hormonal imbalance.  

Three beautiful girls! DD#1 8-23-01 DD#2 4-25-07 DD#3 10-19-10
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Re: PPD or just life circumstances

  • jw87jw87 member
    I think that if you're experiencing mild PPD, that life circumstances can deff. make it worse.  That's how it was with me.

    I was very emotional the first year with DS, but when I started taking anti-depressants, and saw a counselor- I started to talk about the abuse I experienced as a child.  Which- having a child, can trigger all those emotions again, or when your child is the age you were when abused, etc.  

    I think my PPD without my past, probably wouldn't have been so bad, it's hard for me to say which was what exactly- PPD or dealing with the abuse head on - I remember a day getting in the shower with all my clothes on and just sobbing... I couldn't tell you exactly why- possibly letting the sadness go?

    Those days are hard to recall, it felt like a giant fog and all I wanted was to be myself.  I highly suggest going to see a counselor, he really helped me put the pieces together... sort out my feelings, etc.  

    ((hugs)) things will get better. 
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