How long does post partem depression last?

Question

My wife gave birth to our beautiful baby girl just over 5 months ago. She had a hard time getting pregnant and had difficulties during the pregnancy. So, I have tried my hardest to be supportive and loving to her and to help her as much as she needs. But, she is basically a different person than she was before she became pregnant. We argue all the time (she yells and I apologize), she has no interest in sex (we've had sex 4 times in just over a year) and at times she seems scared to be alone with the baby. Could she have post partem depression and not know it and could it last this long? When will she be normal again??

Answer 1

Reading this, I am so upset for both you & your wife...this is not the dark ages---

Don't you remember how we all wondered about the husband of that poor woman who killed their beautiful children?

He knew she had a past history of severe Post Partum depression; yet he kept her pregnant & off her meds.

No one should ever have to suffer like she your wife has.

You need to call your wife's ob-gyn and make an apt. ASAP.

Read them what your wrote her & and they will see her today.

She needs to be on anti-depressants NOW...

Preferably something that's been around for 20 years like Prozac---which we know is safe & does not cause weight gain & is now available as a generic...

Don't take samples of "newer" anti-depressants some drug rep dropped off for her doctor:

She does NOT need to be a guinea pig for their drug studies.

She also needs to be on an anti-anxiety medication today because it will take around 10-14 days before the anti depressant kicks in. Klonopin is safe, also generic, and stays in your system much longer than Xanax--which is the most Rx anti-anxiety med on the market.

And she needs to talk to other women who've had this same problem so she'll know she's not a terrible person.

Remember DEPRESSION IS AN ILLNESS NOT A WEAKNESS+
Thank goodness you love your wife enough to you want to help her
I just wish you'd asked this question four months ago..

I'll stop writing now so you can make that call...please, let me know how she does, okay?

As for sex, once she's treated for the depression, that will renew itself as well. If not, again, see her doctor...

I am going to have a lot of good people praying for her. Keep in touch.
Patricia

Answer 2

Dave/Patricia makes some good points. Post partum depression can last for years. If she is scared to alone with the baby, respect that, she may fell like she might hurt the baby or she may feel like she can't take care of the baby. You both need help. There is more going on in any family than just the surface. It is likely that something you are doing trying to help her (and you are doing itby accident) is making her feel even more incompetent and overwhelmed. It is time that both of you went into talk with a counselor AND her Ob-Gyn. She is dealing with all the emotions you are and more, being a new mom is hard, and she has an overwhelming hormone change and fluctuation occuring. She will never be "normal" again, she is a mom now and that is a permanent change, you will always be different too, you are a dad now. It is sometimes hard for dads to understand, but even now your wife is worried about your daughter's life, her schooling, her health, her marriage, all of it, all at once. It is a lot and women are wired differently than men, you may never understand why she is so upset about something that seems so far away or so unimportant, but make it important because it is important to her.

Answer 3

PPD is nothing to sneeze at. With my first child, I didn't have it, I breezed right through with no problems and wondered what the big deal was when I heard people talk about it. With my second child, I found out exactly what the problem was, and it was dreadful. I felt a little better around the 3-month mark, but she was about 7 months old before I felt noticeably better, and closer to a year before the fog lifted completely.

I have always been an anti-pharmaceutical person, but I seriously would not go through that again without some kind of help, whether it be medication or counseling or a combination of both. She really needs to see her doctor about this, because, among other things, the depression is probably keeping her from bonding with the baby like she should.

Answer 4

It does sound like PPD, and I highly suggest that you have her talk to her OB/GYN. (Of course she is a different person. She is a mommy now. It is an OVERWHELMING new title and job.) Her hormones are all out of whack. She may need to go on some sort of anti-depressant to iron out the kinks. PPD can last a long time after the baby is born.
Keep being supportive. If you can, offer to take care of the baby more. Shoulder some more of the responsibility. Parenting is a difficult job.
Blessings to you all.

Answer 5

It is quite possible that she could have some type of depression. I would try to get her to visit a doctor and get some Zoloft. It takes about a month to kick in, but it should help things. It is also safe if she is breastfeeding.

You are a good husband for being so patient with her.

Answer 6

This is all I can say. I know it's hard on you & I'm sorry that this is how ur wife is @ this time. I'd try councling for the both of u. That way the 2 of u can talk things out & I hope that all turns out alright.

Answer 7

Yeah, it can last that long. She should speak with a therapist or a psychiatrist.

Answer 8

buy her some flowers spoil her