After 7 Months Am I Still at Risk for Postpartum Depression?

I have a seven month old also. I was just at the doctors for the same reasons. She said I have postpartum depression, she put me on zoloft and I have tried to excersise at home everyday. It was hard at first because I had no energy and no motivation.After a couple weeks when the zoloft kicked in I felt so much better. You should talk to you doctor there are a lot of options. Good luck and I promise things will get better.

i think they say that you can have postpartum for up to 2 years after but I think alot of moms go through the stage where they take so much care of the new baby they let themselves go. I have a 4 year old and I was right on the ball when I had her but I was a single mom and i had to be but after my son, I was so tired. We found out that we are expecting another in May (wasn't planned) but I find myself not wanting to get dresses, usually wearing my husbands jammy pants and ecen letting my son Bum it out for the day. I feel like it takes so much enerygy to get in the shower and do my hair and I just dont have it. I stay in my house for days at a time, and even try not to answer the phone. I whine when my husband goes somewhere because then I start to feel lonely. Sex drive,please what is that. I feel bad for my husband. You can try going to the gym, My dr says to do something that will make me feel good about myself. I see her point but I still don't feel like it. There is also a vitamin at GNC I will have to get back to you on the name but it helps boost your sex drive.

I feel for you! I have a 4 year old daughter and 6 month old son and sometimes feel as you do. I think a key part of what I read from your post is that you sometimes forget to sleep~ That could be HUGE. For me, I am not myself w/ out a full night's rest! Be sure you are getting this. It may make you feel "normal" again. Also, try to get out and work out~ just you, either on a walk, run, or trip to the gym~ I know it sacrifices some time w/ your little guy, but it can make you a better person and mother in the long run:-) Good luck!

hi V.,

maybe you should look at my book, Missing In Action on my website www.missinginactiononline.com You sound like the hundreds of mothers i interviewed and present to (speaking engagements). i know firsthand what you feel like...take a look, read through the pages of my website, and maybe you will find some helpful information. in a nutshell, you are in the most dramatic life-changing transition that you will probably ever enoounter...and what you are going through is neither unusual or unnatural. its quite typical. i hope my material helps in some way. all my best to you!
A.

Yes, you are still at risk for PPD. I think it's up to a year or more after you give birth. Not to mention that you've been through a lot of changes recently. If you're really concerned, I'd mention it to your doctor. I'm the same way as you described -however, I have two children 3.5 and 2. I do take antidepressant medication, and have for years. There is help out there, and what you're experiencing is not uncommon. Take care!

Wow i had to leave a message because i read all that and i feel excactly the same... a son of 7 months i'm stuck in my house all day with him, i dont even have a driving licence yet and i'm stuck in the middle of knowhere so i cant even go out and about with him... i too have a problem with my thyroid to active so that also adds problems ... I was looking about and reading up on post partum depression because i'm worried of having it too... and i felt like a freak and was just thinking dont be stupid its you.. Untill i read your message and thats because they are so simalor .. (excuse my spelling).. its sort of made me feel better knowing i'm not alone.. Having a baby is overwhelming and i wanted to say well done to you for making an apointment.. since its a very hard thing to deal with... I wish the best of luck to you and i'm going to follow your lead and also get myself to my docter and talk about it

I don't think that what you are going through is postpartum depression. I am also a SAHM and for the most part I get outof my pjs only to but a clean set on. I rarely leave the house unless I or the baby has a doctor's appointment. When I do get out of the house and I am dressed up, I do feel better and my attitude is much different. What I would suggest is take one day a week, dress up, cook a really nice meal, get the baby settled and ready for bed early and plan a romantic evening for you and your husband. It may be what you both need and spark something that you both have been missing.

You are still at risk as far as I know. Talk to your doctor. The fact that you are recognizing the problem is great but you really need to get some help. I think you should talk to your doctor first and then find yourself a MOMS support group. Google them. They are everywhere. Get some exercise, it helps with depression, especially postpartum depression. There are many mommy fitness classes out there. Check out www.babybootcamp.com and you'll be able to bring your baby with you. Whatever you do, get the help you need, don't ignore it.

V.,

I read about how you're feeling that you lack life and energy...I think that in your about me section ...you seem very fortunate in life. Just thank God you aren't homeless, ill with a disease, or just plain LONELY. Girl, Thank God for what you have...you seem to have a beautiful little boy and a great husband...and a good business. So I just wanted to say try to see the greener side of life...it's so precious and you only live once.

Take care!

As far as I know, from personal experience, and what my doctor told me, you are at risk for PPD for a year after you have your baby. I went through it. As for the make up and clothes, I used to be the same way. Now, I do my make-up when I have time, and RARELY get dressed up, I'm all about comfort now, and it's SO much easier. You're a new mommy, you have every right to wear comfy clothes and make-up only sometimes, you have more important things to do. As for the PPD, I know it's awful, but, I called my DR. and she helped, that's what they're there for. Call yours and see what he/she says, it can't hurt. If you need to talk or blow off steam, my e-mail is ____@____.com:)

I'm not sure if your still at risk for post partum, but I know first hand that sleep deprivation can make ya feeling like your losing your mind, and feel depressed also.

I too never went out of my house with out being fully made up, I'm now prego with my 4th, 36yrs old, and somedays, Ijust dont care. It's like why bother, most of the time I'm stuck in this house anyway, ya know. I think being in the house alot makes ya get kinda down too.

If the weather is nice where your at, try gettin out in the sun for a walk on a daily basis, I know that can help wonders with the moods.

I hope you start feeling better, you deserve to be ur best.

Take care and God Bless,

L.

It could be PPD, but there are several more symptoms. A good talk with your doc will help you to better see where you are with that. You also mention little sleep....that could be part of the culprit. I, too, stay in my jammies most of the time. I dressed up today, but when we got home, I got back into my sweats. When I started to get down...I started picking a day to take the baby out. if I had a few bucks to spare, I'd take her out to eat. I started doing this when she was about 7 months old. We go out every Wednesday. Sometimes we visit people, sometimes we just go for a bite to eat. We are together every day, so this is our special time. it seems to help my daughter's mood too. She enjoys a change of pace every now and them. I hope this helps some. There are a lot of SAHM's in the same position, so if lonely is an issue, e-mail some of us.
Take care.

Yes, even after 7 months, especially if there is a family history of depression. I was diagnosed with PPD when my daughter was 9 months old. I finally went to my doctor when I didn't have the strength or couldn't find a motivation to get out of bed. She immediately put me on Zoloft. With in 2 days I felt so much better and I also noticed my anxiety disappeared. My daughter is now 45 months old, I continue to take Zoloft with no regrets, and I still feel like a new person. Please contact you doctor and get a check up and let us know when you feel better.

I know how you feel, wheni had my daughter it was great for the first six months, and then i didn't want to do anything, all i really wanted to do was sleep, i didn't even eat anything at all withe, the thing that actually helped me out was getting mobile, just going out with my daughter to the mall, or seeing a friend for only an hour brightened me up alot, also i ended up on zoloft, which is an antidepresstine, and that really helped me out, also you are at risk for PPD until your child is 4 years of age, so you can get at any point in time in order to help yourself it is always better to get help sooner then later, so i would call the doc and talk to him about, and after your first child if you do have PPD you are more like to get it with your second child and so right after i had my son in october of last year the doctor put me back on zoloft and i feel great!!! I hope that this inf helps you out
good luck
S.

Hi V.,

I'm no expert, but it doesn't sound like clinical depression to me--it sounds like you're depressed your life is a lot different in some areas. That's normal but not manageable. Check out mom's groups in your area (you don't say where you are, but we have an awesome one here in Dover, DE!). Joining a playgroup "for the baby" will do wonders for you! And give you an excuse to change out of jammies! : )

Talk to your doc anyway, and see what he/she thinks. They can see you in person, hear how you're speaking and evaluate you thoroughly.

And call a mom's group for sure!! (Check yellow pages, churches sometimes host mom's groups, hospitals can give info on them (if the operator can't help you, ask for the lactation consultants, ob/gyn staff or other woman-related services staff).

D.

V.,
You sound like you are on the road to or are on the road of depression. Postpartum or not it requires attention by a professional! Have your sleeping and eating habits changed? Is EVERYTHING an enormous effort?The # of people in the US who go through periods of depression grows annually and thankfully we no longer have to suffer without help. Medication helps your body within weeks and it is then that you will know that yoyu were, in fact, depressed. If you're not, the meds don't work! So, see someone as soon as possible. You will be able to give 100% to your son and your husband and they will thank you! But most importantly you will be yourself again!

I just wanted you to know that I have a 9 month old daughter, and i feel the same way... I do work PT in the early mornings, and even then i dont even try to look presentable.. I have sweats that dont look like sweats and i wear them all the time, and when i get home i just want to lay around, I even have a treadmil in my living room, and all it does is collect dust.. My husband tells me that if i work out i will get more energy, but how on earth do a get the energy to actually DO IT, i'm tired all the time, and if i do leave the house it is just to go to my moms, and of coarse i dont get dressed for that, i could really care less.. And i had no idea that it could be PPD.. Untill i read your story... Maybe i will talk to my dr.

Well i just wanted to know know that u r not alone

Who cares what the label is? You're unhappy. I'm struck by the fact that your narrative describes someone who is unhappy. But your "about me" section screams out, "I SHOULD be happy! ...except for the teensy problem that I don't sleep, that is."

Being a stay-at-home mom is an isolating experience, but whether it's PPD or not, you're not sleeping. Find a therapist.

1st to answer your question: You are still at risk.

Saying that... You just sounds like a mother of a new baby!! I can tell you (as I sit hear in my sweats lol) there's nothing wrong with what you're describing! Yes, they can be signs of depression, but that does not mean if you do these things you're depressed!

I'm a SAHM. Just moved here more recently so I have no friends. I never get dressed in 'real' clothes, unless I'm going out. And then it's only jeans and whatever sweatshirt I'm wearing!

As for the sex... Remember you have a new baby that is constantly needs you. Especially if you're breastfeeding! By the end of they day when you can be with your hubby your done being 'needed'. You just want to be left alone. Perhaps start with just sitting close on the couch with your husband. Work from there... It takes time!

I would personally say you're not depressed with just the info you've given us. If you're having a LOT of other negative thoughts and so forth I would suggest talking to your dr. or even your peds dr.