Anxiety/Depression support thread

[xQuinnx]

Thanks spiffynoodles. I spoke to my health visitor a few weeks ago but then things started to get better so didn't follow anything up. I've got an appointment with a birth reflections service on Friday I didn't know whether to wait for that to see my GP or ring sooner?
The night time anxiety is getting worse, I wake up in the middle of the night in a full on panic but I don't know why :-/ ladies with anxiety have you always known what caused it or did you have to learn what caused it? If that makes any sense? x

 

[Spiffynoodles]

Quinn, I'm sorry your anxiety is getting worse. Like I said, I figured out that my anxiety revolves around sleep. If I'm worried that I'm not going to get much sleep, I get anxiety, if I'm worried that the kids' sleep routine is going to get messed up, I get anxiety.

I would seriously think about medication for your anxiety. I wasn't the type to immediately jump to pills for solutions, but after a week of taking Zoloft for my depression, I feel like a whole new person, more happy than I've been in years. I'm actually getting on the floor and playing with my kids instead of giving them cartoons because I can't handle them. I finally feel like I can be the kind of mom I want to be.

 

[xQuinnx]

Thank you spiffy noodles. What did the doctor say about your medication? Is it a forever thing? I want to sort the problem as well as treat it if that makes sense.

 

[Spiffynoodles]

Well, they gave me refills for a year, but I don't think they're looking at it as a forever thing (of course I have no idea what they're thinking; all I did was call them and tell them that I was depressed, and they wrote me a prescription without even making an appointment!) But based on the fact that I've dealt with depression since I was younger, I may see if I can continue with the medication, because the difference with it is so worth it for me.

 

[pichi]

hi girls, mind if i join?

I suffer from anxiety and depression.

My anxiety seems to be getting worse to the point where i can't go to places like the post office or even the cinema without feeling sick and light headed, clammy hands, sore head and really sore stomach. i don't know what triggers my episodes but it seems to me whenever i have to go somewhere that isn't my own house or work i get like how i described. I've been on referral for a psychologist for over a year now and still no appointment.

We've been trying for baby number 3 for a good we while now too (since april last year) and i feel it's bringing back my depression (much to my dismay) I feel like i'm very snappy with my kids now, i have no patience, overwhelmed most of the time and some days i just want to crawl into my bed and not move until the next morning. Again, Drs have been tip-toeing around this subject also so i have had nothing done in a year also.

sorry about the rant

 

[Spiffynoodles]

Pichi I'm so sorry the doctors have been putting you off for so long. I know how you feel about being snappy with your kids. I do the same thing and it makes me feel so bad.

Always here if you need to talk.

 

[Dawnyybus]

So glad I found this thread. I have stress, depression and anxiety with OCD and Asperger's syndrome. I also have other mental health issues, anorexia and adjustment personality disorder.

Being pregnant was horrible and I'm so scared now that I will get worse again. So much scares me, I don't even know where to begin. I have to constantly be cleaning and tidying my house if I'm not feeding my baby just to try and keep the bad thoughts away.

I'm so scared to admit that I think my anxiety and depression is getting worse. I have a cpn but am sometimes to nervous to be honest and I know if I'm not I won't get help...

I'm on medication for my depression but really want it increased and something to help my anxiety but I don't know if they will prescribe anything more as I am breast feeding...

Thank you for this thread.

Xxxxxxx

 

[Spiffynoodles]

Dawnyybus that sounds awful! I'm so sorry you have to deal with all of those things. You're an amazing woman! I'm taking Zoloft right now for depression and anxiety, and have heard that it's among the safer medications to take if you're breastfeeding (I'm not), so it might be worth asking about, because it sounds like you really need some help with the anxiety so you just can enjoy being a mum.

 

[krulci]

Hope you don't mind if I join in?

Feeling like maybe it's time to reach out to an empathetic audience. I certainly have enough I want to rant about...

If I had to guess, my postpartum depression started almost immediately after birth, though I've had anxiety my entire life. My daughter was born with meconium present, leading to a respiratory infection and a week stay in the NICU. Breastfeeding is a total nightmare with her tongue and lip ties, so we had those operated on in hopes it'd help me heal physically and her eat like other babies. We're still struggling with feeding in almost every possible sense... She won't take a bottle to give me a break, and the physical pain is excruciating. I cringe every time I think about her needing to eat and will often try to put off feeding her, which, of course, only serves to make me feel worse about my parenting.

With DS1, I had similar issues that sunk me into a deep depression that then spread to DH, leading him towards infidelity. I'm scared out of my mind that all of this (breastfeeding issues, postpartum depression/anxiety, etc) repeating will break down our marriage yet again and we'll spend another year in intense counseling. I sobbed for a few hours, today, because we got in a fight and all I could think was where this road is leading us. I have every intention of calling my MW Monday morning to see if I can't be seen before my 6wk appt and get on some sort of medication.

I'm a basket of nerves and have nothing positive to share - yet! Sorry... Wish I could offer something helpful to all of you, but I'm kind of struggling to stay afloat over here. Thank you for sharing your stories... I feel a little less alone, tonight. xx

 

[krulci]

And hey, Spiffynoodles - I'm in Utah too!

 

[hakunamatata]

Great thread

I take 40 mg of Fluoxetine and see a therapist. Some days are better than others. Dealing with a mental illness is quite hard at times but it's manageable with the medication and therapy. Also I do not drink or take any recreational drugs as I have an addictive personality and it makes my mood swings that much worse.

 

[Spiffynoodles]

Hakunamatata, I'm glad that you've found a system that works for you. I agree, dealing with mental illness is terrible, especially when you don't feel comfortable telling people around you.

Krulci, I'm sorry to hear about all of your stresses. That's awful that you have to worry about your husband being unfaithful on top of everything else. I'd definitely talk to your doctor as soon as you can. The medication I'm taking is helping so much. Where abouts in Salt Lake are you? I'm in Magna.

 

[pichi]

i think the first thing is admitting it is actually a problem. this is what i've struggled most with as i'm not one for asking for help. Like HK i don't drink or take anything (other than antibiotics for constant UTIs)

i just don't know what to do after hounding the Drs for a year and getting nowhere

 

[Spiffynoodles]

Pichi, I still can't believe no one is doing anything, even after you've asked for help. I know that in the US, you could file a complaint and they'd probably take you more seriously, but I'm not sure how things work in the UK.

 

[pichi]

i am just fed up with them. it's been the same with my constant utis. about 1-2 a month when the average person gets on 1-2 a YEAR. now, i have been at them countless times in the past FOUR YEARS. it's a nightmare. I'm trying to find another practice to sign up with as mine is pathetic

 

[Spiffynoodles]

Pichi, I would guess that you probably have kidney reflux to be having that many UTIs (my DD had to get tested for that when she was a baby because she got a UTI). Is there anyway you can contact a different doctor?

 

[pichi]

oh i have never heard of that before. i will have to look that one up

 

[topsy]

hi girls

can i join you i have severe pnd, depression and anxiety and psychosis. i have been hospitalized 3 times for it in just over 2 years

I take anti depressants, anxiety meds, anti psychotics and sleeping med and diazepam

xxxx

 

[Spiffynoodles]

Topsy, that sounds horrible. Did you have any problems with depression before you gave birth, or was it just totally new for you afterwards?

 

[topsy]

It has been voice are horrible today. I had mild depression and anxiety before LO but was just under my GP and took tablets and had CBT-NOTHING like it is now though, Its out of control xxx

Hows your day been hun? xxx