I have a 5 month old daughter who is perfect. My life is great, my husband loves me, it really is quite picture perfect. I even took another month off work to be with my daughter for a bit. I have dropped almost all of my baby weight so I know it can't be that. But the problem is that I am just feeling "out of sorts." I feel like crying a lot during the day and I can't remember the last time I was super happy. I feel like I am just going through the motions a lot of the time. I am not unhappy with being a mother. In fact, I love it. But, I just feel very inadequate. I know I can care for her but am I a good mother? It's not enough for me to just be adequate. I am really moody with my husband and even he says that I have been irritable. It's not even all the time. It actually comes and goes. Some days are worse than others. Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't want to jump the gun and say I have PPD, especially if it is unlikely.
2007-05-24 16:08:51 · 11 answers · asked by Confused 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
Yes, You can have Post partum Depression. It is usually found within the first 6 months of birth. However, It can last until the child is one. Therapy will help or you might need just a little medication to alleviate the condition. Its really common so don't think bad of yourself. Just think of the little one and try to hold your head up it will get better.
2007-05-24 16:19:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I just had my 3rd baby. With the first 2, PPD set in at about 6 months after delivery. I was so afraid this time about feeling like that again that I went to the doctor before hand (new baby is 51/2 months now) and got something. I don't know for sure what the time frames are but I once had a therepist tell me that it could show up a year later or maybe even 2.
It is never normal to feel like crying all the time. That has always been my biggest clue is when I cry over everything and nothing. I would talk to a doctor because we have all heard of the worst that can happen when PPD gets left untreated. The hormones throw everything off and that is something that you can't control. Just talk to your doctor about how you feel.
2007-05-24 18:04:24 · answer #2 · answered by Christina J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being a first time mom is extremely difficult. I remember my first time at home with her and I was terrified. I wanted everything to be 'perfect'. I worried excessively about her emotional well-being not to mention how many diapers she wet in a day, was she getting enough breast milk, why didn't she sleep at all, etc......
You sound like you have the perfect situation to have a happy home and wonderful relationship with your baby and husband. Unfortunately, if you are unhappy despite all the positive circumstances than it is a clear indication of depression. Irritability is also an indicator that you could be suffering from some anxiety and depression and anxiety tend to occur simultaneously.
I , too, had a 'perfect' situation at home but I just couldn't get it together so I blamed myself for 'coming up short' and not being a very good mother/wife. What I later discovered was that I was suffering from PPD and I was suffering a severe case of PPD. What most people don't realize is that when they are suffering from some form of mental illness they don't realize it. You think that your thinking is normal and that everyone thinks this way or just the opposite and you are too embarrassed to seek help. This is a mistake because your relationship with your husband and baby will needlessly suffer if you don't attend to your suspicion about your depression.
I was the most positive, happy pregnant mom but when my daughter was born, I became an anxious and unsettled person. I thought this was normal because it was my first time being a mom but it wasn't. If you suspect, and I do, that you are suffering from depression than you should seek help.
Once it is identified and you receive the proper help then you will begin to feel the happiness and joy, you should be.
Good Luck!
2007-05-24 16:37:12 · answer #3 · answered by louraleigh m 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think you definitely can have symptoms of PPD when your child is 5 months old, or even older. After my son was born, I felt very similar to the feelings you are describing, but did not approach my doctor about it until he was 10 months old. For the first 10 months of his life, I always felt self concious and felt like others were judging everything about the way I took care of him. It was hard to enjoy being a parent as much as I should have because I was having those feelings. I was also very moody and irritable. My husband and parents finally convinced me to see my doctor, and once I was placed on a mild antidepressant, it was so so much better. It was hard to get up the nerve to talk to my doctor, but I was so glad I did. I only wish I had done it sooner. Good luck to you, things can get better!
2007-05-25 03:17:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can. If you feel that you may have it, please speak to your ob/gyn about it. I feel for you. I had the feelings of inadequacy after my children were born, and after the birth of my daughter, I had a very severe case of PPD that lasted for a long time.
I urge you to talk to someone. Is there anyone who can stay with the baby while you nap or go out and take some time for yourself?
I wish you the best.
2007-05-25 00:28:00 · answer #5 · answered by AV 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should talk to your doctor but dont let him prescribe you to a whold bunch of pills because they can really mess with your mind but my advice would be to everytime you feel like crying think of somthing happy or something that makes yuou happy and walking and swimming even jsut 20 30 mins a day can help alot and try taking calcium and vitamin D it helps naturally with depression and go online and looks up herbel remedies for depression i hope you start feeling better good luck
2007-05-24 16:36:38 · answer #6 · answered by gateway1981 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
PPD can hit at anytime. my son is 4 mos and i think i have it b/c i feel the exact same way as you. you def need to talk to your doc. Good luck. if you need someone to talk to that is going through the same thing feel free to email me. Good luck!
2007-05-24 19:04:01 · answer #7 · answered by M n M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, you can have ppd when your child is a year old, my mother in law did when my husband was 1.
2007-05-24 16:17:41 · answer #8 · answered by corpsman9903 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. A trip to the ob/gyn to discuss the topic would be very beneficial to you.
Best Wishes!
2007-05-24 16:18:59 · answer #9 · answered by texasrosejacquot 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
go straight to the doctor because it sounds like you have it. I know someone who wasn't diagnosed till her oldest was 6. Get help now
2007-05-24 23:28:44 · answer #10 · answered by Rachel 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋