Advice on Depression

M.,
GO AND SEE A DOCTOR (GP) sometimes it is due to THYROID issue (unbalanced hormones) you will have a blood test done to find out. So get your Dr. to check your thyroid gland.

If it is not try to find out what is this depression coming from before you make any decision.

Try not to be alone too much, have friends/ family/ support around and tell yourself you will be fine soon.

ALL THE VERY BEST TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

I went through severe PPD after my son was born. I was prescribed Lexapro by my OB and attended weekly counseling with the in-house therapist at my OB's office. It took a while for the meds to kick in and to get the right dose but once it did, it made all the difference. PLEASE go see your doctor. You don't have to keep living like this. Good luck!

M.--First of all, I'm sooo sorry. You're doing the right thing to get help. I'm wondering if maybe you have a thyroid condition?? Have you had it tested?? A low thyroid can cause all of things you mentioned above. I would start there. Then...if you need an anti-depressant, I have to friends that started taking something called Celexa (sp?) It actually helps your body to stat making more serotonin and help to keep it at a healthy level. In both women, I've seen dramatic change for the good. (I realize everyone is different, but you DO have a say in what you go on if you need to)
Hang in there and if you have any questions about thyroid stuff, I know a ton a things, from where's the cheapest place to get tested and so on.
please email me
____@____.com
S.

My suggestion would be to find a psychologist, or a psychiatrist who does psychotherapy and not just medication management. That professional is in the best position to see if you need medication. The medication, if you need it, would be only part of your recovery. Also, I wouldn't involve your mother in your depression right now, since people close to you don't necessarily know how to step back. They turn their issues into yours. Not because they're being bad to you, but because it's natural.

Medication can be a big help, but everyone is different and not every medication affects everyone the same way.

You don't have to feel that way. Your understanding that you need help is a big first step.

God bless you.

First, God bless you for asking for advice and help, that is very tough to do!

I am a mother of two young children (3 and almost 5). I have a very good support system, but when I had my son I went through a serious bout of depression and anger. I went back and forth on whether or not to take medication, go to counseling, etc. I finally decided to go ahead and try Prozac on a very low dose, and it was amazing to see how much it helped me. I know that some people see antidepressants as a crutch or something bad, but they are really there to help people like you and me get through some tough points in our lives.

I am not sure why your mom thinks you better not, but I found that Prozac just helped me have a few moments to "think" before I reacted to a situation or my kids. Being a mom is difficult enough, and then add being single on top of it is so tough! Sometimes after having children your hormones get so out of whack that you have to relearn how to cope with stress and life.

My recommendation is to go ahead and try antidepressants, they don't make you weird or anything crazy, especially the SSRI's like Prozac, Zoloft, etc. I would also recommend getting a good support network going, people who can help you learn how to cope with life. I have found several ladies in my church that have gone through similar situations, and actually we joked and called ourselves the PE Ladies (we were all either taking Prozac or Effexor! :0))

Try to get involved with a group like MOPS (mothers of preschoolers). They have great meetings and even ones for working moms. Go to www.mops.org to find one near you. Many churches have mothering matters groups too. The point is to get with other moms who can share in the struggles we all go through. It was amazingly healing for me, and I hope would be for you.

Okay, enough going on and on :0) Bottom line, don't be afraid or ashamed to take antidepressants. You don't have to take them forever, and it is better to be a happy mommy on antidepressants than a miserable one without. Do what you think is best, not what your mom thinks is best. You know yourself better than anyone!

Hope this helps. Email me if you want any futher info on the stuff I mentioned. I would love to pray with you too!

K.

Hi M.,

I'm so glad you are receiving help. You may also want to take a look at Postpartum Depression For Dummies, since it's got lots of simple self help and natural techniques for depression.

Take good care,
S.

I think you should look to find out why you are depressed and start to love yourself!!! Try attending church services....right now my church (which stresses faith rather than religion!) is teaching a service right now on handling your emotions..... it is great !!! : )
Living word bible church in Mesa
feel free to contact me for more information!!

M.
I'm sorry to hear about how you feel, I've been there. I've been taking Lexapro for almost 4 years and it has made all the difference. It's an SSRI that also works for anxiety. I've also tried Celexa, which is similar, and Wellbutrin. You're not alone and not "crazy". I know many people are against antidepressants, my husband included. I tried to go off them for a bit, but when he saw the change in me he changed his mind. Do what is best for you, and don't worry about what your mom or anyone else says or thinks.

Please go see your doctor, M.. I went through the same thing and my doctor referred me to a pshychiatrist that prescribed me a low dose of the anti-depressant Celexa. S/He can also suggest a support group. I started to sleep better and within a few weeks, began to feel more 'normal'. Don't be ashamed of 'taking pills' for your problem...it's much better than losing these precious years with your children.

It sounds like you may have Post Partum Depression. I highly recommend a book called "Post Partum Depression for Dummies", by Dr. Shoshana Bennett. It is wonderful, it will tell you everything that you need to know and how and where to get help. Don't let it go on any longer. Best to you and your family.

Anti-depressive meds saved my life. Do not be embarrassed or ashamed or swayed by the prejudices of other people when it comes to medication. If you had pneumonia, you'd take antibiotics. Depression is a real medical condition... meds may not "fix" it, but they can give you a foundation and keep you well enough to function and get through it.

People who don't "believe" in depression or medication have probably never suffered from this illness. Natural remedies may help some people, but not if your depression is severe, chemically based. This perpetuates the stigma against getting help - if only these people were stronger or took the right herbs and vitamins, they could just "pull themselves out of it." Not true. Not believing in something doesn't make it not exist. Not believing in meds doesn't mean they don't work.

This is a serious medical condition and needs to be taken seriously. When you are depressed, everyone around you suffers, especially your kids. Take care of yourself, so you can be the best mom to your kids!

I am not at all a believer in anti depression medication. It is very likely you have been suffering from some sort of post partum that has only got worse over time. I went through that after my daughter. Anti depressants are a supplement. If you see a naturopathic Dr. he can give you something to help your own body do what it is supposed to do ... jump start it, not give it fake hormones. Dr. Popiel at sonoran naturopathic is a great Dr. ###-###-####. As far as support. . friends that have children are the best. Talking. But if it chemical you do need something. Dr. Popiel will test your chemical levels. A family Doc MD will not. they never do. They prescribe just cause. You can e-mail me / call me if you need to talk. My info is online.

M.,

I too went through an period of deep depression after my second child. I beleive I was having PPD. I was doing the same things as you, sleeping all the time and just crying for no reasons. I was also a CSR with an insurance company and believe that the stresses of the job also contributed to my well being. I was prescribed Lexapro from my doctor. It did work for me. The only downside was the desire I didnt have for sex. This is a common side effect from being on this type of medication, but do believe that it was worth it, especially with a supporting husband. I only had to take the medication for about 6 months and was able to gradually cut back and finally go off the medication. I had the "baby blues" with my first child, but nothing like the deep depression I had after my second child. I wish you luck and know that many women out there have been or are in the same boat.

Being a single mom is very hard, I know I have raised my daughter by myself since she was 1 1/2 and now she is 17. I myself take effexor 150mg. Don't take paxil because that will just put weight on you. Sometime you have to do what is best for our kids and if you are always sad that isn't good so don't worry what your mom says, it just might be a chemical inbalance and the only way to correct it is pills.

I would talk with your doctor and tell him all that you are experiencing. He will then recommend a course of action you can take. Pills will help balance you out but sometimes talking to someone about whatever issues you may be having helps more than pills. Every situation (and person) is different so what worked for someone else won't always work for you, but there are options out there for everyone. I applaud you though. Most women don't come out and acknowledge they have a problem. I wish you the best of luck. You can message me anytime. :)