- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
October 2014 Moms
MrMrsandBaby
member
PPD questions
MrMrsandBaby
member
I may have missed it but I didn't see a PPD check in. I hope it is ok to ask...
I have an appointment with my PCP on Monday morning to talk about me having PPD. DH and a couple friends made me call so I'm not feeling all that great about it. What do I tell the doctor? What should I expect her to do? She isn't a therapist so what can she really do?
I'm struggling. I know that. But I hate the idea of feeling like I gave up trying (I know that isn't the reality, it is just the perception).
Does anyone have any good resources or advice on what/how to prep for the appointment?
I have an appointment with my PCP on Monday morning to talk about me having PPD. DH and a couple friends made me call so I'm not feeling all that great about it. What do I tell the doctor? What should I expect her to do? She isn't a therapist so what can she really do?
I'm struggling. I know that. But I hate the idea of feeling like I gave up trying (I know that isn't the reality, it is just the perception).
Does anyone have any good resources or advice on what/how to prep for the appointment?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: PPD questions
She can listen to you. She can get you a rx for something to help take the edge off if you are interested. She can refer you to a therapist is that is something you are interested in.
Tell her the facts. Going to the doctor is not a sign of giving up. It is a sign of fighting.
This is a good move. Just talking with a medical professional and hearing their professional opinion often makes me feel better and puts me at ease.
Don't be ashamed or scared. This is a big step in helping you live a much happier life.
Also
I went to see my OB 1 week pp because I was crying uncontrollably. She told me that even though she is a doctor and knew all the facts that she was in a corner crying pp with one of her babies as well. I found it refreshing to hear that even doctors have a hard time coping.
She told me that it is normal to feel this way because newborns are hard. Her office has a counselor that happens to come the day of the week that I was there and I spoke to her as well. Just being able to say out loud what I was feeling was a huge relief and then we talked about coping skills.
I don't know the details of your situation but this upcoming appointment is nothing to dread or prepare for. Just go in and tell them how you feel. It seems as if you have a great support system in your DH and friends.
I did mention TB to the counselor and she was so happy to hear that I had support online as well. Participating here often has helped feel like I'm not alone and that everyday they are people facing the same struggles.
Also, ((Hugs)) Your feelings are not your fault, and you are a wonderful mother! Hopefully things will seem brighter once you've spoken with your doctor and found appropriate treatment and some good sources of encouragement.
After you talk to her and if you want to move forward, it might be worth it to call your OB office because they may have better resources for ppd, like a good therapist or psychiatrist. Finding a therapist that you like is like finding a needle in a haystack so your OB may be able to narrow the options down a little. And when looking for a therapist--- degrees don't necessarily matter-- you want a therapist who matches your personality-- it's like a relationship. I feel like if you don't connect than you may find them helpful but not life changing... And many should do a free consultation so you can feel them out (however they may only do this on the phone). Good luck!
Eta: psychiatrists prescribe, therapists don't. However, most psychiatrists are too busy to do talk therapy anymore and may not see you for a full hr and probably only once per month so you'll want to find a psychotherapist for talk therapy.
To make it easier to discuss, you might fill out a PHQ9 which is a very common tool used by a lot, probably most, clinics to diagnose and then assess the efficacy of meds/therapy. https://www.phqscreeners.com/ You could print it out and bring it in to discuss with the provider and they would know where you are really having problems plus it would serve as a discussion starter and might make you feel more comfortable than bringing up out of the clear blue.
You are doing the exact opposite of giving up.
You all are awesome.
Good luck!