Post Partum Depression Question

With my first daughter I think mine was worse with each month that past until she was about two.
Then I had a second child and I think the hormonal upset fixed it.
Right now I would blame the weather. Everyone I know is a little out of sorts. If you spend the majority of time with the kids, you'll probably feel better once you can get outside in the spring.

I think people gave lots of good advice - that the weather sucks, everyone is feeling cooped up, get out and take a walk, etc. But sometimes, those little pick me ups don't work and the depression stays. Do what your gut is telling you to do. If the walks ain't workin' - go see your dr. or get a recommendation for a counselor. Everyone has an opinoin on diagnosing depression, taking meds, etc. Do what you think you need and don't feel bad, one way or the other. Good luck!

Go see the doctor. I had mild depression before my first was born, and then when she was about 6 months old. I was put on a low dose of antidepressants the first time, and I also talked with a psychologist. I have a family history so I did not mess around.

I think what helped the most was getting out of the house and being with other people. My husband traveled Sun-Fri, and I hated being in the house alone. I was ok at work, but once I got home I was anxious and had to get out of the house.

I am no longer on meds, but with a 9yr old and 5yr old twins, I am busy, and have less downtime to feel lonely. I am unemployed at the moment, and I am feeling the winter blues.

Get out of the house, even to go walk around the mall, and on the rare warmer days get out and walk.

L.

I agree with a lot of the other posts...I don't remember having any symptoms with my first. I noticed symptoms with my second, but she was almost 6 months old. I went to the doc and he put me on antidepressant and it helped. After being on them and feeling better I realized how "down" I had been. So when I had my 3rd and started feeling some of the same things after 3 months - I didn't try to muddle through it like I had with the 2nd. Trust your gut - it is unbelievable how right it usually is. Hope this helps. Of course yucky weather doesn't help much either.

I don't think it's uncommon to feel depressed even 6 months out. Especially if you're a person who is prone to depression. And especially this time of year, when it's always gloomy outside, not to mention shortly after the holidays. It is probably a combination of ALL these things - feeling overwhelmed and not getting a break, gloomy weather, etc etc. Whatever the source, you'll need to decide whether this is something you can work through yourself or whether it's worth talking to someone about. Good luck!

Feeling depressed and blah when you're a new mother or not so new mother, doesn't always scream post partum depression. I think we're all too quick to jump on that diagnosis because it's easier to feel okay about feeling blah if it's "not your fault" and rather, linked to a hormonal thing. I'm not saying it's not real, I just think it's kinda like ADD, overdiagnosed.

Having said that, when my kids were really young I had some rough times too. My oldest was only 15 months old when my second was born. I had gone from being head bartender of the biggest club in Northeastern Indiana, to being a boring (that's what I thought) stay at home mom in only 9 months. It was a HUGE reality check for me. I fell into a HUGE rut and felt almost like visiting with people was more of a chore than an enjoyment because I just felt so blah all the time. But, not once did I even think about it being post partum. I just knew that my life had changed so much and that I was really being thrown into it and let go to fend for myself. Even if I hadn't had that huge social life though, being a mother really does change every core of you. You go from being able to enjoy hundreds of peaceful moments to yourself to having a child barge into the bathroom right when you've pulled out a tampon! Well, I got so tired of feeling the way I did, so I decided that was it! I got out there, found a gym, took the kids with me, and began working out 4-5 times a week. Even though I'd always HATED working out, it gave me an hour to just be "me". I would sit and think peacefully about whatever I wanted to, or I would think of nothing at all. But, the wonderful part was that I was allowed to think without interruptions, which is one part of my life that I still have a hard time dealing with....the thousands of daily interruptions! After a couple of weeks or so, I decided to take another step. I looked on Craigslist and called about a local play group. I can't tell you how hard it was for me to actually go to the first play date. It's just so much easier to stay at home in my little comfort zone and not feel like "okay, so what do I talk about now?". It was so much easier to just do my monotonous routine of cleaning, cooking, and changing diapers, and chalk it up to the "it won't always be like this" excuse. Well, I MADE myself get up the morning of the first play date and I took a shower, DID MY HAIR, and wore MAKEUP! I nervously went to the park where the girls were meeting, and forced a smile on my face while I walked over to the group. I'm telling you, within 10 minutes, I was talking right along with them about anything and everything. The thing is, mothers NEED intimate companionship with other women. They LOVE to hear about the stuff that our husbands couldn't care less about. So, I told them about how my kids said "mommy you have a big butt" when I bent over in front of them to pick up a toy. I told them about how my morning was so stressful and how the kids were driving me nuts lately. It's things that women truly understand, not try to fix like our loving husbands do. So, the reason I shared that with you is because YOU are in control of what your life is like throughout the ups and downs of motherhood. You can either stay at home and be swallowed up by the vacuums, sinks, and dirty toilets, or you can take advantage of all of the mothers out there that support each other. All it takes is that one group of women that makes you feel like you're not alone, and reminds you that every woman feels isolated at times. Once you find that support group, and you get yourself out of the house more often to spend time doing things you enjoy, you will notice that the "blahs" will disappear. I know you work, but it's not the same because you go there and you WORK! You're not getting any breaks! So, think about it, and get out there girlie!

Hi E.,
I haven't had any experiences when it comes to post partum depression. I have a three year old and 5 month old. I have felt very overwhelmed and not like myself lately. But I in no means feel that it's depression. I've looked at the whole picture. I'm a little sleep deprived, I am raising a difficult three year old, as well as a 5 month old who cries during every nap for at least 30 minutes. Not to mention the weather hasn't been the best lately. When I feel overwhelmed I get myself out of the house immediately. I think when you start to feel sad or like you are going to do something you don't normally do. You just need to pull yourself out of that situation and do something else. I found just driving takes away my stress and I feel much better. And it's hard for the kids during the winter months. Because they start to feel cooped up as well. You'll find that everyone has a better attitude when you get out and do things. It's good to throw off your schedule every once in while. It teaches your kids how to be flexible.
Every mom is not perfect, and every mom has their crazy moments. It's completely normal. Mom's would be lying if they said they never feel like screaming at certain times.
But since you've been through the whole post partum depression, you would know best on how you feel, and if this is something you should get checked out. I guess it wouldn't hurt for you to get it checked out.
But I would just try and get out of the house. It'll make a lot of the blues go away (smile).
Hope this helped out a little.
A.

i had it with my second. She is 2 now, and I just in the past 6 months started feeling "normal" again. I don't think it is totally gone. Don't try to do it on your own. I waited a long time to get on meds and couldn't believe how much better I felt after taking them. You will be better available for your kids if you own up to it and take care of yourself.

My post partum depression didn't start until 6 months after I had each of my two daughters. It lasted until about the 9th month. I really felt that medicine helped- and I am not one to take a pill unless I have tried everything else. You may want to talk to the doctor.

I can tell you from my experience that it can take awhile. I went undiagnosed with PPD after the birth of my 3.5 year old. It continued right through my second pregnancy and is just now starting to improve as I have sought medical intervention this time around. My youngest is 21 months and I can tell that the effects are starting to dwindle. All I can say is seek help if you think their is any chance you may have PPD. Don't let it go untreated or you miss out on too much with your kids.

It can happen at varying times. If you feel symptoms I would talk to a health care provider as soon as you are able.

Last article I saw/read said it can occur for up to a year after baby!

It's classified as PPD for up to 2 years after the baby is born.