Prenatal depression? Anyone out there suffering?

Question

I was just wondering if anyone out there has been diagnosed with (or suspect they have) prenatal depression. I am suffering from this and would appreciate some feedback on what treatment works for you, and what teqhniques you are using to cope.

Some details- I am 25. Have a 4 yo son. Recently moved to a rural farm for hubbys job. 4 months pregnant. No friends or family within a 4 hour drive. Very lonely and secluded. Stay at home mom, NOT by choice, but because we live rural and I can't find a job here (recent college grad, also)...Anyone else in this situation, feel free to email me.

Answer 1

I can relate to what you are saying, my husband and I moved over the summer about 1,000 miles away from all family and friends due to his job and I am so lonely here. We live in to what I consider a smaller city and I don't know anyone here. I am 31 weeks pregnant and am going crazy!

Answer 2

In my 17th week I got very anxious and could not sleep for 4 days. After taking melatonin just 3 nights I seemed to have solved the problem but cannot shake the feeling that I do not want this baby although I spent a fortune on fertility treatments trying to get pregnant. I just don't feel excited about the baby or anything else for that matter and now I am starting to not feel passionate about my work. I contracted a cold which is keeping me up nights and going on my 4th week. I just cannot wait until this is over and feel like I should have adopted instead. I have never been depressed. I am always a together person who loves life. Now I worry that this pregnancy has ruined me for good, what if I stay like this? I just pass the days and seemed bored and then another day. I just can't wait to get this over with. My Doctor just started me on Prozac and I am joining a support group.

Answer 3

I think it's definitely understandable why you're feeling depressed. Not only is your body a hormonal battlefield, but you've been faced with a lot of sudden change in your lifestyle! If you haven't discussed this with a doctor, I'd recommend doing so. In the meantime, I think the best thing to do is to try to keep busy. With a 4-year old and a brand new place, I'm sure you're not at a loss for things to do. Maybe now is a good time to investigate at-home businesses and do some research on working from home.

I really admire that you're talking about your rough time. I suffered post-partum depression with my first, and even though you're talking about prenatal and not post-partum, it used to be that you just didn't talk about depression. Because I felt ashamed, I was never straight with my doctor about what was going on with me. I ended up developing a drinking problem that took years to correct. Funny how that used to be a more socially acceptable thing than to just come out & day you feel depressed. I'm so glad you're handling this in a healthy way, and I wish you the best of luck.

Answer 4

I hear ya too!! I lived in a big city where I had friends and family close by, a good paying job, I knew where everything was and all the cool places to hang out and moved to a small city in a different province and now I'm working as a grocery store cashier my husband has been bouncing job to job, every night we stay home cause we have no friends or family and don't know where anything is or we've been to the places a few times in the past year. *yawn* now that I'm 27 weeks pregnant I want to get out of the house and try new things and do some more stuff, but find it hard. I refuse to go on anti-depressents cause I know I'm depressed out of boredom. I picked up cross stitching but now I've grown old of it. *sigh* the joys of living life eh?

Answer 5

i am 34 weeks pregnant and also have prenatal depression. My doc put me on prozac and it has really helped with the crazy feelings and mood swings. I am not 100% better but they helped. The only bad thing is they take away your sex drive which can create a whole new problem. If you have any questions or just need to talk to someone you can email me anytime. I understand what you are going through.

Answer 6

When i suffered prenatal depression I went and talked to my therapist about how i was feeling and asked her what my options were, she called and talked to my OB/GYN and together they made a decision to put me on lexapro-I was in my 3rd trimester and they told me it was safe. It helped, but talking to my therapist helped more. Just having someone to listen to me did wonders-after I had my son I was over joyed and had no depression, then a few months later-it came back and for a week straight I cried-so I had to go back and start seeing my therapist again after talking to her, I went and got a job-and there I made new friends and was able to get away for awhile, and feel I actually was doing something with myself. I hope you feel better- :-)

Answer 7

over the final 5 years I had all started to have increasingly greater withdraw right into a downward spiral of melancholy.. yet now with the tactic i will totally concentration my power and recommendations right into a decisive line on a thank you to make my existence greater efficient constantly. And it works like magic! i'm commencing as much as entice human beings to me as quickly as returned and issues have purely been looking up in view that then. helping you do away with melancholy?

Answer 8

Hi Mel, that's gotta be rough. I'm not a depression sufferer myself but sometimes just getting outside to walk helps a lot.

Answer 9

I'll email you and see if it goes through. Nope you email doesn't go though.. email me here..., mine is set up to Yahoo Answers. I am pregnant and have had this.. adn I refuse to go on the meds.. so I am waiting it out...

Answer 10

Start by reading through this short article http://www.healthadel.com/articles/9/1/Depression-Treatments/Page1.html lists treatments benefits and other general info.