postpartum depression ?
Q.I have been experiencing moderate to severe boughts of depression since about 3 days postpartum, and am planning on calling the doc tomorrow morning. This is so different from the depression I experienced after my first pregnancy in that this time it the onset was very sudden and severe, and the first was very mild gradually building and peaked at about 6 months. I took Paxil the first time around, but I had already stopped nursing. This time I am still nursing and would like to know if the medications are safe during nursing. Also, is everyone treated with medication. My books recommend therapy, but it wasn't even mentioned last pregnancy, and I don't think it would help too much. I want the meds so I can function. This sounds kind of rambly to me, but I hope it makes sense to someone.
A.Different doctors will recommend different things. I took Prozac throughout my second pregnancy and beyond, and I'm still nursing my daughter. I don't think everyone is treated with medication, but certainly if the depression is NOT going away, meds are something to look at. I'm suffering right now and have been since one week PP. Ripley is now 5 months old and I am still BF'ding and will go to 6 months or longer. I take 150 mg of Zoloft every day (I used to be on Celexa...but it did nothing). The meds seem to help, but I think that the therapy does more. I see a therapist every second week and my Psychiatrist every three weeks. I still have bad days, but I haven't hurt myself (also experiencing self-mutilation....does it ever end?) in at least two months. See your doctor. My DH dragged me to go it because I thought that people would make fun of me. There is such a stigma that goes with depression. A lot of people are on meds and live very normal lives. I have that to look forward too. According to my therapist 90% of people suffering from Depression are "cured" (able to go off their medication) within 1 year. 7% will need medication for 2-3 years, and the remaining 3% will be on it for 3+ years. Of course some of that 90% may eventually have to go back on medication short term. Most PPD is "cured" within a year, there are apparently few cases of it lingering for more than a year or two at the most. In most of the cases of lingering depression Doctors have found that it seems to run in the family (hereditary) or stems from severe childhood abuse. Children diagnosed with depression are more likely to suffer from it longer than people who are diagnosed as adults. The longer the depression goes untreated, the more likely it is that you'll need more "drastic" cures to "fix it". (all info is from some literature my Doc gave me) I agree that therapy works better than the drugs do in many cases. I really feel that people on medication should be in therapy as well for it to work correctly. TEN COPING TECHNIQUES FOR PPD 1. If you think something is wrong, seek professional support. Do not blame yourself. It is not your fault! At least one in ten women experience Postpartum Depression and many have no history of mental illness of any kind. Focus on today. Take one day at a time. 2. Try to rest when your baby sleeps, if your mind is racing tell your doctor. 3. Try to eat well, if you have no appetite, tell your doctor. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. 4. Remember that good mothers make mistakes. Having PPD has nothing to do with your abilities as a mother. It is an illness that is treatable and you should be commended for seeking help. Try not to compare yourself to other mothers. Avoid people who make you feel bad. 5. Talk to someone you trust about your feelings. Confide in your partner and/or family. Let others know what they can do to help. Let someone help out with the baby or other children. 6. It's okay to have negative feelings. Remember what it feels like to start a new job. It often takes any person 6 months to get used to a new role. Bonding can take time, and most mothers report a feeling of protectiveness but not love in the first 6 weeks. It will develop, bonding does not happen overnight. 7. It's normal to start out with all bad days, with a few good days; soon the good days will outweigh the bad days. Allow yourself time to cry. 8. Stay on all medications you have been instructed to take. Studies show that most people will stop their meds within the first two weeks. Stick with it! It can take 4-6 weeks for antidepressants to take effect, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about this. There are medications that are considered relatively safe to take while breastfeeding. If you are concerned about breastfeeding while on medication, contact Motherrisk at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto. 9. Force yourself to walk every day for at least 30 minutes, studies show that exercise can be very effective on depression. Get some fresh air. Take a deep breath. 10. Join a parenting and/or play group. Find a support group or a counsellor that you feel comfortable with. If any of these groups don't feel good, leave them. Trust your instincts. Tell your doctor how you feel.
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