Depression? - Jasper,AL

I would definately go talk to your doctor about it. It sounds to me that it MIGHT be postpartum depression... Or it could be due to the stress and lack of sleep after having a new baby. :) Postpartum depression is nothing to mess with, and I would STRONGLY suggest that you at least tell your concerns to your doctor to ease your mind about what is going on. I had a very short, very minor bout of postpartum depression, which I never got treated for because it did not seem to affect how I functioned. It sounds to me that you are not functioning as you normally would, and with all the stress you are under, AND a newborn on top of it, who blames you? (Certainly not me) I hope you begin to feel better soon and I will keep you in my prayers!! ((HUGS))

I was the same way with the crying for no reason, but I did not have the bad dreams. I would talk to your doctor about getting a mild anti-depressent, this is very common after giving birth. I am not sure what is going on with your father, but having a baby and losing a loved one and I am sure lack of sleep is enough to send anyone into depression. You don't have to stay on the meds forever, but you may need them to get through a tough time. Call you OB-GYN and they will help you to make the right decision. Good luck with everything.

Sounds like post-partum depression to me. See immediate help! You really don't want to end up one of those moms we see on the news because your drown all your children. Call the dr. right now. Then call your husband and tell him you need serious help. Since you are normally level-headed, I'm sure he's noticed this change in you as well and will be glad to help you get help.

This is not your fault. Hormones are touchy and you've been through so much, your brain is just protecting itself! Get some help and then relax and enjoy those beautiful little ones.

I went through the same thing off and on in my twenties and after both of my children were born. My doctor had me take a test on his computer and deduced that I have a panic disorder. I do take medication, zoloft, for this problem. Before the medicine, I would get very anxious, hyperventilate, I didn't want to leave my home. I would get very emotional and panicky. With the meds, I can function normally. I even work now and socialize very normally. I am 42 now, my doctor says I will probably be on the medication for the rest of my life. But at least I have one now. See your doctor, you may just need short term meds.or maybe just rest and a little help around the home. Take my advice, don't wait too long to get help. This problem can be very debilitating. I had to stay with my Mom a few weeks at a time on occassion, because I couldn't function at all.I hope things get better for you.

It does sound like post partum depression to me. I had it too and it was so strange to feel like everything was closing in on me and I would get overwelmed with the smallest things and I was really paranoid too. I was breastfeeding so chose not to take any medications, but my doctor told me one of the best things you can do is exercise. There is something about getting up and moving causes certain chemicals in your body to help with the depression. For me what worked best was walking around the block. I would get up every day and put the kids in the double stroller and walk for at least 20 or 30 minutes. If there is bad weather go to the mall or some other indoor walking place. Just getting out in the fresh air away from the house helped me too. My doctor also said housework does not count as exercise. I would definitely check with your family doctor to see what works best for you.
Hope this helps! KT
P.S. After reading at some of the other responses I just wanted to add that I also had blood testing done and found out I had hypothyroidism also which can also cause depression if not treated. About 6 months after I had my daughter I was having tingling in my arms and legs along with the depression. After some blood tests I found out about the hypothyroidism. The medication for that also helped with my depression symptoms. But the walking and excersice definately helped also. Check with your doctor! God Bless!

That is wonderful that you recognize that you need some help! You sound a lot like me after my first was born. The whole first 6 weeks were a fog of crying and feeling completely out of control and helpless. I wish I had recognized it and gotten treatment. I came out of it on my own, but when I felt sad again for no apparent reason after my second son's delivery, I got counseling and was put on a mild antidepressant. I honestly can't say the counseling helped a whole lot, but the help of the medication was wonderful. Some people caution against medicating for depression because they say it just "masks" the problem. For me though, it helped take the edge off of the "funk" I was in, and let me enjoy my life and children. I was off of it within several months, and back to normal. Of course medication is not for everyone, but I wanted to share with you my experience. Talk to your OB/GYN. They have a lot of experience with this, can refer you to a counselor, and can prescribe medication if the 2 of you decide that is what you need. Good luck!

D., I am not a DR. but I did suffer from post partum, you need to see your DR asap if DR finds you are post partum or suffering from depression ask for Lexapro, its great you will feel better within days and no weight gain.

Sounds like you have it. Talk to your doctor and let your husband know that you think this is what you have.

Hi D.,
Frankly, with all that you have been through you should be worried if you wern't depressed. My daughter had post-partum depression and the symptoms sound the same. Get help. There are measures that the doctor can take to ease this difficult time for you. You've been through a lot...take care of yourself...now. Good luck and keep us posted.
W. Q

D.

It sounds like you have a combination of a lot of emotions all at one time. Postpartum Depression is possible, since there seemed to be some issues on your mind already. It is very treatable and actually very normal after giving birth. Talk to your doctor now, and get the help you need early. Of course you are not losing your mind. You just have a plate that is really full right now. Just a 4 year old and a new born is a lot, as much as we love them. Make the call to your doctor and you will feel a lot better after having a talk with him.

Good Luck and take a little time for you to heal.
S. Miller

One of our Great Personal Physicians is the Lord

Just wanted to jump in and lend support! Go see your doctor and if he/she is not receptive and supportive, go and see another doctor! This is not a strange, crazy, weird thing, it is completely normal in many instances. I had post-partum, too. A good doc can make a world of difference...and a nice walk in the sunshine...and some female companionship time...and a bubble bath...MAKE TIME FOR YOU!

D.,

I went through very similar symptoms after my daughter was born. I didn't think it was serious, so I never looked for treatment. Please don't wait! Since I never got treatment, my symptoms worsened and finally 2 years ago, I got help. My life is so much better now! If you had an infection, you would treat it. This is not much different. If you don't treat it, it can get into every aspect of your life.

Good luck, and if you need more, please, feel free to contact me.

D. you are not crazy! Call your OB today!!!! I had problems after my last child was born but it took until I stopped breastfeeding. There are any many great options out there that are safe for you and your baby if you are nursing

My sister-in-law had postpart depression and it can be very serious if you don't get it treated. You would be suprised how many women have this. I would recommend going to see you OB-GYN and see if he/she can prescribe you something. You won't have to be on it forever just for a little while. You definatley aren't alone in this and you aren't loosing your mind.
J. B

Call your doctor immediately. Anxiety and depression are very closely related. and are treated very similarly. The longer you wait, the more axious and depressed you are likely to become AND the harder it will be to pull out.

Start treatment now and start feeling more like yourself in a few days. You have a lot to deal with right now, but you will find your thoughts clearer and your ability to make decisions improving. Then you can deal with your other issues and love on that new baby boy!

Talk to you Dr. when you go back for your check-up.
Also-DO Research OnLine. In the meantime it will make you feel better.
I went through similar stuff when my daughter was born-about 2 weeks after she was born-my husband came in and found me sitting on the bed holding our crying baby, sobbing myself. He got very upset and kept asking what was wrong, I told him I didn't know. Mostly I think That was just horror-moans settling down. I did get into a funk that the Dr. treated me for.
I think when you have a child it permanantly changes your chemicals in your brain. (I have no studies to back this up).
Talk to your Dr. and look into things on your own. It is obvious you are a caring Mom otherwise you wouldn't be wanting to find out if you might need help.
Good Luck,
C.

sweetheart i had some of those systems and some additonal ones post partum depression is different for every woman your fears are different but my advice is see someone b/c you don't want to risk harming yourself or your child and i almost waited too long to do anything it doesn't get better on it's own

Talk to your doctor and i am sure he/she will help you through. Our children have been through alot (one son a brain tumor and the other is autistic) and after the birth of our daughter, i started using something to "take the edge off". Not only are you going through alot but are probably tired from feedings at one am. There are even medications that are safe if you are breastfeeding. My doctor and I discussed what they were and decided what to take. About the anxiety, what about if you ask your husband to give you a ring here and there durig the day just to touch base. It may not seem like much but you will be surprised at how just a "hi there" and "I Love You" will make a difference. The hospital where our children were born offers groups to help women through postpartum, do you have access to such a group? I always find that talking to someone who has been there helps. Whatever the choice you make, asking for help (in my opinion) is not a sign of weakness but a sign of intelligence. It shows that you want the best you can be to give the best mother to your children. God bless.