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What if I have postpartum depression?

Kayla - posted on 01/25/2013 ( 2 moms have responded )

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I have a 2 year old daughter and a 4 month old son and up until recently everything was wonderful. lately I've been way off though. I have been depressed and irritable. I've had extreme highs and lows and I've been thinking a lot about how my life could have been different/ or even better?I absolutely love my babies though and don't at all regret having them. I don't know what's going on and I'm scared to admit that i think i have postpartum depression. So I guess my question is what happens if i do? what do the doctors tell you to do? take pills or go see a counselor... What?

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Rebekah - posted on 01/25/2013

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The scarier thing would be if you do have post partum depression and you DON'T do anything about it. Trust your gut and seek out your OBGYN or family dr. What they prescribe might depend on the severity of your symptoms or their philosophy, but stay open-minded and ask them as many questions as you need to, whether they prescribe meds, counseling, or both. Chances are, if you take meds, it will just be for a period of time until your body regulates again. Medication can give you relief more quickly (though some meds do take a couple of weeks to fully kick in), and counseling helps in ways that are more enduring. You also have your hands full, with your young children, so counseling can be an opportunity to talk out your stress and learn ways to cope with the mood swings and the thoughts you are having. That will serve you now, and in the future.

Enlist your husband's support. He needs to know what's going on with you so that he doesn't inadvertently add to your difficulties. Educate him about what post partum is (find printed material, or a website he can refer to) and point out that not all sufferers have homicidal and suicidal thoughts. Getting help now may prevent things from escalating. Good luck to you.

Kayla - posted on 01/25/2013

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I am also scared to tell my husband. I feel like he's going to judge me or be worried I'll hurt the kids or myself but so far, I don't have any of those thoughts

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