Moms, I need serious help!

[beautybelle]

My daughter is now 3 months old. A week and a half after she was born I developed a serious case of PPD. I have since left my high stress job thinking that that might help me, I have been seeing a counciler for months and that doesnt seem to be helping either. I am soooo miserable. Logically thinking I should be one of the happiest people on earth. I have a wonderful hubby, wonderful son, and my new daughter is beautiful. BUT I feel so sad, scared, desparet, hopeless and anything else bad you can think of. Im always on the verge of crying. I hate opening my eyes in the morning. I know what your asking yourself at this point "Are her kids safe?" Yes. I have never had any bad thoughts about my babys. Its all toward me. Its just that when I think of my future I dont see anything. I hope somebody who has had this writes me back. I need some hope that this will go away, I just dont know if I can hold up much longer without............I dont know, I guess just going to sleep. My husband tells me I should leave it in the Lords hands and so does my couciler. I am trying too, maybe my faith isnt what it needs to be.

 

[Mom21]

I don't have any advice just . make sure you are getting the help you need. I know it is hard, but hang in there. Best wishes.

 

[PlaneJoy1]

Have you been to your post-partum check up? If not, make sure you discuss it with your doctor/mid-wife. There are several medications that can help, even if you are breast feeding. If you've already been, call back and speak to the nurse or better yet make another appointment. You most likely have a hormonal imbalance, very common and very treatable.

Yes, leave it in the Lord's hands. However, the very God that made this world has allowed scientists to create medicine to help. It's okay and your doctor can help.

 

[Magickndm]

Are you on or willing to take any medication for this?
My cousin had a severe case of PPD, so much so that she refused to take care of her baby. If you knew her, you'd know this is not her personality at all, we were all shocked, including her.
With a lot of counciling and the proper meds she was able to get past this and is now one of the most devoted mothers ever.
So please, get help. It's out there for you.
If your current councilor doesn't seem to be helping, find another!

 

[HaleyB]

With all due respect, you need a new counsler. Now.

God helps those that help themeselves and leaving it in his hands does not mean do nothing. For your own sake and your families seek help until you get it.

 

[grimley1968]

I'm sorry, but it sounds like that so-called "counselor" is giving some awful advice. I'm all for religion, but this is a medical issue, not a faith issue. You can put all the faith you can muster in your religion and it will not change the fact that science and medicine are sometimes necessary to overcome things. It sounds like this depression you are suffering is a prime example.

Please, for your kid's sake and yours, please see a qualified medical doctor about this problem and do whatever the doc prescribes, with maybe a second opinion if you feel necessary. A lot of women have PPD (my wife had it after having both our girls, though not as bad what you describe), and there's no stigma attached to needing a little help to get through it. And someday you will probably no longer need the meds.

No offense, but that counselor sounds like Tom Cruise.

 

[horseshowmom]

Have you been to your post-partum check up? If not, make sure you discuss it with your doctor/mid-wife. There are several medications that can help, even if you are breast feeding. If you've already been, call back and speak to the nurse or better yet make another appointment. You most likely have a hormonal imbalance, very common and very treatable.

Yes, leave it in the Lord's hands. However, the very God that made this world has allowed scientists to create medicine to help. It's okay and your doctor can help.

I agree with this completely. While I'm a firm believer in God and His comfort, your problem has nothing to do with not having "enough faith". Since I didn't suffer from this myself, I can't give you hands on advice, but I know that there is help out there. Best wishes!

 

[Tiggeroo]

Is your counselor a pastor or leader in your church. I'm asking because our church offers this. This is good for alot of situations. But there are times when you need medication, when you need somebody with some serious training. PPD is one of those situations. It's a chemical inbalance not a behavior issue. Go see your obgyn. Tell him what's going on and ask for a referral to a dr who can help. Call today, tell them it is serious and get in quickly. If your obgyn can't get you in fast go to your family dr and tell them the same thing. You can get help and you can feel better. Don't suffer needlessly.

 

[minniecarousel]

I second the comment about talking this over with your physician; medication can be a God-send, and it doesn't need to be life-long - just a short-course, for a few months. And, yes, if the counselor isn't helping - find a new one!

 

[Maleficent13]

Everything grimley said, say again.

Your counselor sounds grossly incompetent...or at the best clueless. Please talk to your OB about finding a counselor that specializes in PPD!

 

[Christine]

Most cases (if not all) of PPD are chemically related. Meaning, all the couseling in the world, is not going to cure you of this. You need to see your OB/GYN and explain this. Or go to a psychiatrist (not a counselor). This needs a medication to fix.

 

[marydmjj]

This has to do with chemistry - not faith. Make an appointment to see your OBGYN and try some medication. Taking care of yourself will in turn help your children, your DH and your faith.

 

[binny]

please see your doctor now. I sufferred from PPD with all but my middle child and it was horrible. I feel your pain in your post. I know how desperately you WANT to be happy and you feel guilty for NOT being happy and that just makes you more miserable. I know. Ive been there. This WILL get better. I promise you.
Some day you will look back at this and wonder why it was such a big deal but dont ever let anyone tell you that this isnt real. The important thing here though is to GET HELP. I urge you to speak with your doctor there are medications that can help you. I didnt get help soon enough. I really regret that.

Please call your Doctor and ask. You have a lot to live for and so much to be grateful for. This is too important to shrug off and hope it will go away.

Please PM me if you need a shoulder to cry on.

 

[ennazus]

(((hugs)))

another ditto for seeing your OB.

It doesn't have to be bad like this!!

 

[redshoes]

I'm so sorry that you are hurting right now . The best thing that you can do for your family is to take care of yourself. Your son and daughter need a Mom who takes care of herself too. The other posters that have said that this is not a matter of too little faith are exactly right, you can take a proactive approach to getting help and still have faith. Please talk to your OB/GYN they can direct you to the correct avenues in getting help. I have been where you are, it's not an instant fix but once you start feeling better you'll wonder why you waited so long to get help. If you need to talk, I'm here.

 

[becka]

PLEASE see your OB/GYN as soon as possible. I know you must feel terrible. I know I did and I tried to just "get over it" on my own after my DD's birth. I tried to deal with everything on my own and thought I was doing OK on my own until I quickly started to spiral out of control. I don't want to scare you but I started having some pretty vivid thoughts about hurting myself (but thankfully NEVER my kids). I would be driving down the interstate and think that all I wanted to do was to just drive my car right off the road.

PPD is a very scary thing but thankfully it is treatable. There are medications that can work. I would imagine your doctor could prescribe you something and between the meds and the counseling hopefully that will make a big difference for you. I know for me it made all the difference in the world. I was afraid I would have to be on something long term but within 4 months I was feeling so much better and I have never looked back. My only regret is that I missed so much during those first few months with my DD.

 

[crazyme5kids]

I agree with needing to speak to your Dr about medication. Do you have anyone that can help with the baby? This would allow you the time to focus on taking care of yourself and getting healthy. Your family needs you, but they need a healthy, happy you.

 

[CathrynRose]

Have you considered an anti-depressant, at all? Depression, post-partum or not, is not something to be taken lightly!

My girlfriend had a case of it - felt silly going on anti-meds so didnt ask about it. She was miserable for a good few months before FINALLY getting on a low dose of Prozac. She felt better in a few weeks, and within a few months they were able to wean her off of it. She has said, so many times, she wishes she would have said something (taken something) sooner.

I cant imagine how she would have been / felt if not for Prozac - honestly.

 

[irishbosoxfan]

I had PPD after the birth of my 4th child and it was horrible with mine though I was having hallucinations and that is what scared me enough to seek help! I felt like I was just rotting away and didn't know why I bothered with anything. I went to both a psychiatrist and psychologist for the meds and in about 6/7 weeks I felt wonderful--I still have other disorders but the meds have worked wonders and make me normal again if you can understand that. Get to someone as soon as possible they will listen to you and talk to you without judging and give you ways of dealing with the stress.
The counselor you have now needs to go though-If they are through your church they may not be equipped to deal with what is happening to you and you need someone who deals with issues such as yours on a regular basis and understands what you are going thru and has the means to help you!

 

[Sonya]

Really, it will be better. I felt like I was going mad, that everything should be wonderful but I was not wonderful. Within 2 weeks of being on the meds I felt myself again. Granted they were 2 LONG weeks but after 3 months 2 weeks will go by just like that. GO GET HELP!!!!! It will get better.