So I had my son Aug 30th of last year. I got an extreme case of post pardum depression.?

Question

Anti- depressants made it worse so I stopped taking them. A year later I finally went back, They diagnosed me with a chemical imbalance and panic attacks. I am now on a mood stabalizer and xanax for my attacks. I have been on treatment for 4 months, I feel alot better, but I dont feel my depression has gone away. Also I am still overweight from my pregnancy and I think my pills are making me gain weight. I am not embracing motherhood or family life at all. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can just be content with where I am at. I have always wanted to be married and have children, but now that i have it, its like the last thing I want. Please any suggestions would be helpful

Answer 1

You can't cure this with a magic pill. granted, sometimes medication can help (if you're on the right one) but you also have to put some of your own effort into your recovery, and you need a support system.

Do you have friends or family who are there for you? Are you seeing a psychologist regularly? A psychologist does not perscribe meds but they do help you discover the source of your displaced anxiety and discover better coping skills to manage. Often this goes hand in hand with other types of therapy, especially medication therapy.

Psychaitrists are the docs that perscribe meds. It is highly irresponsible to be on medication therapy for PPD without any sort of counseling. Shame on your doc if you are not getting counseling.

Something that will help you is an exercise program along with dietary modification. Not only will that help you control your weight, but also give your body a chance to help itself heal.

Certain kinds of foods stimulate the production of certain chemicals the reduce stress, give you energy, speed your metabolism, and make you feel good. Also, certain kinds of exercise do the same thing, such as release endorphins, make dopamine and norepinepherine.

Your body is probably freaking out because of various chemical changes, and your mind is in turmoil due to the fact that your life is forever changed. You have so many things to deal with right now. That can't be easy to deal with, for anyone. Don't beat yourself up about it.

Being a mother does not come with an owners manual. Neither does being a wife, for that matter. You have probably already figured that out by now. Sometimes it helps to visit with different people, compare notes, and see what others are doing.

There are different sorts of communities such as church groups, support groups, etc. This could be a valuable resource for you.

Remember that you do not have to always be in control of everything, all the time. The most important thing you need to be in control of is your own behavior. Controlling your emotions is always a losing battle. You shouldn't have to do that, anyway. But it would help you to try on some new perspective sometimes.

Realize that all of our past experience and our upbringing, and what we learn from our families does not necessarily have to define who we choose to become. Granted, it does tend to influence our perceptions, which in turn influence our emotions, which guides our behavior.

We all do the best we can with what we know. This is why it's so important to see a counselor. We sometimes don't realize the effects of our attempts to cope with things; on ourselves, our families, our children, and our friends. A counselor is completely objective and has no emotional investment. They can see the big picture more clearly that we can. And support groups are for people facing similar issues. It is easier to see their pictures more clearly than our own.

You owe it to yourself and your child, to take care of yourself. You have to learn some new perspectives that can change everything. For example, what if you replaced every "I can't" in your vocabulary with "I am not willing to". It changes everything. A counselor would have some alternative perspectives for you that pertain to your issues, specifically.

My heart goes out to you, and I admore and respect your attempt to reach out and seek assistance. Remember that you are a woman first, then a wife, and now a mother. Whatever happens in your life, you will always be a woman first, and that's the one most imporatant role you need to take care of. Take care of that woman, so you will be able to handle all of the other roles you assume in life.

Remember that your past does not define who you are. Your emotions do not define who you are. Your beliefs do not define who you are. Your family, your job, your other responsibilities and obligations do not define who you are. Your effort, your motivations, and your behavior, defines who you are (and who you choose to become).

You have so much power hidden inside yourself that you may not know about or realze. It would really benefit you to tap into it, realize it, and embrace it. Seeing a counselor can help you figure out how to do that. It's not a weakness, but rather quite empowering.

Taking care of the woman you are will also benefit your marriage. Your huby fell in love with you, the women. He didn't fall in love with a wife or a mother. Take care of that woman, because that is what is most important. The rest will fall into place......

Take care!

Answer 2

Hmmm. Xanax and Anti-D's. Don't they just rock? haha. Just kidding.
I think it's not just a chemical imbalance - psychiatrists are wont to just letting the 'drugs' do all the fixing. the thing about these medicine is that they only 'fix' the symptoms.
your depression and your panic attacks are just mere symptoms of bigger and deeper problems of choice (and you've actually mentioned it...)
i suggest going to a psychotherapist, someone who has a degree in Clinical Psychology (they're PhD holders, too so they are doctors, too) - in addition to your psychiatrist.
Also, it seems that post partum depression for 1year is too long - from my recollection, PPD does not last that long - which means, there are other things - questions, choices, etc. - at play, my friend, not just getting married and having children.
hope this helps - and i wish you well.

Answer 3

KIip it in the Bud now and get on the right Meds and eat low carb food and then exercise lightly or take long walks and then have a friend with you that can spend some time and both of you share thoughts about you and the other. It is not good to be alone when your like this. friends help.

Answer 4

Been there and really bad to. Prozac is what helped me an awful lot and therapy for you to be able to understand your thoughts better. I have been on this now for 15 years. Weened off of it twice and went right back on. It is great for me and maybe for you as well. Check it out.