I've recently been diagnosed with postpartum depression & anxiety. I suffered through it with our first daughter, but never sought help. After our 2nd daughter was born almost 3 months ago, I promised myself I'd seek help if I needed it. I'm currently taking a low dose (50 mg) of Zoloft. It seemed to help for a while, but the last 2 weeks have been really rough. I plan on contacting my doctor to up my dose today to see if that helps.
I'm also thinking I might need additional help. Can anyone recommend a good therapist that specializes in postpartum mood disorders? I'm in Prairie Village, KS, so someone close would be great, but I'm willing to drive for a good therapist. I'd also prefer to talk to a woman.
Lastly, does anyone who has been through this (or going through it now) have any tips/advice on how to help manage PPD?
Thank you!
I wish I had a therapist to recommend, but I just wanted to say how great I think you are (and the other posts, too) for seeking help. I think it's awful the way we moms are expected to handle it all, and sometimes it just doesn't work that way.
Good luck - I truly wish you the best and hope you find a therapist.
I don't know of any therapists, but maybe I should! I, too, live in PV, have a child born December 2007 and am taking meds for PPD but don't know if they are working. I've been on Pristiq for a few months and am switching today to something different b/c I'm losing prescription drug coverage and this is cheaper.
The only advice I have is what you're doing! Seek help, talk to others, don't just hide it. I have a supportive husband and am just now talking to my friends about things.
Feel free to contact me for chats, too!
Contact The Postpartum Resource Center of Kansas and Missouri.
Meeka Centimano is a therapist that started the resource center. She is a survivor of PPD herself. I am so glad you ask for help. Blessings.
Cyndi Meeker - Crossroads Counseling - ###-###-#### off Johnson Dr & Lamar (she was originally recommended by my OB). I started seeing her about 2 months ago for PPD. One of my friends starting going about 1 month ago. She is fantastic & has loads of experience & I think her PHd...her speciality is PPD.
I also have been doing acupunture to help the anxiety. Michael Trump - ###-###-####.
I've tried a couple other things if you want to talk further. The thing that helped the most was having more time to myself. if you can hire a sitter for a couple days a week...a few hours each day. And then use the time for you. ..i.e. workout/go to coffee shop/etc. Just don't use it to run errands for "household chores"! I also found that not having a lot of scheduled things seemed to relieve some pressure & stress.
Also, Village Pres has a program called Handworks. They provide 2 hours of childcare & you go work on projects (that you bring from home) with other moms. A lot of times it turns into a talking session! It's only $25 for the semester. Go to village pres website & look under VillageU(niversity).
Love to chat more if you want. Just send me a private message. I'm home w/ 2 sick kids & I'm getting it myself! ugh.
I also found the earlier you get help (like you are) the better!
A.
A.-
Kim's suggestion is perfect. Meeka is a excellent counselor who I used when I had PPD. Her direct line is ###-###-####, ext 104. You will get better but please talk to someone soon. Take care.
Hi A.,
First of all, I am sorry you are going through this. I had PPD with my first child and it was tough admitting and getting help. I went to the Shawnee Mission Medical Center off of I-35. They have a free service for treating women's issues, and I was able to go talk to a counseler once a week and they said I could return every week for as long as I needed. I used the service for a couple of months, and it was really a sanity-saver. I am forever grateful that they were able to provide such an important service to me for no charge. You can find information at http://www.shawneemission.org/women-s-health/kansas-city-.... At the time I went, they offered both group therapy and individual therapy for PPD.
Good luck and good health to you! D.
I don't know of a therapist, but I have been through this and know how difficult it is. I tried Zoloft and it didn't work well for me, but Lexapro or Wellbutrin were options I tried that worked better for me. Hang in there, find people to talk to that will accept you and not think that if you were stronger you'd not be dealing with this, etc :) Take some scheduled time for yourself, even if it's one hour a week to look forward to, or what I did was schedule a time to walk four days a week. It made a big difference. Good luck! Feel free to contact me for more info!
Hi A.,
This is someone I saw when I was diagnosed with an event-triggered depression (but it wasn't PPD). My friend also ended up seeing her and thought highly of her.
Louise D. Glotzbach, Ph.D.
400 E Red Bridge Rd,
Suite 304
Kansas City, MO 64131
Phone: ###-###-####
I like what others have recommended. See if you can find someone to watch the girls for 2 hours one afternoon a week and go get a Baskin Robbins milkshake to enjoy while you go grocery shopping or something.
I hope you start feeling better soon. The increase in meds will take awhile to make a difference. I'm sure you know that, but just a reminder that they won't quickly relieve you like an aspirin treats a headache. So hang in there.
I clicked on this link because I am about to have my third child. After my second I had ppd, and I never found a good therapist, and want to be prepared if it happens again. Also, I wanted to mention after my second my thyroid and other hormones were WAY out of wack (esterol and testosterone). I got on thyroid medication and was a bit better, and temporary hormone replacement helped me even more. Anyway, I just thought you might want to be checked for other things too. A simple blood test is easy enough. I know it's hard, but getting out helps a lot. I'm terrible at this, but getting dressed, make up, contacts (for me) helps. I hope you find the help you need. I know it is hard. I had 2 girls 2.5 years apart too. Also, look at anything else that has changed and see if it might be contributing. I am a firm believer in therapists, if you get a good one they can help a lot. If you get one you don't click with, don't go back, find someone else, it's not worth it.
K.
