Depression,moodiness and Short Temper

Great job on looking for alternatives to medicine! The side effects are not worth the risk. I second what Leah said and the websites she referred you to.

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I was watching a special on depression the other day. It said that omega-3s and exercise do wonders for depression. You can get omegas from some types of fish as well as flaxseed. Flaxseed is something you can add to your hot or cold cereal. If you like fish, try eating more fish. If you don't, you can get omega-3 suppliments that are ok to take while you're pregnant or nursing. . You should also go walking (at a good pace) or go to a gym and work out a few days a week. The study they were talking about said that in a few months - the group taking omegas and walking out scored those on certain mood enhancing meds!

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Hi J.,

One good way to get yourself back in balance naturally without meds is to try acupuncture and herbs...not self-medication, since you'll get 20 different suggestions from 20 individuals, but rather a treatment that's customized to your unique pattern from an experienced practitioner. I have a couple of colleagues down in the Palm Desert area that I would be happy to refer you to if you are interested in going that route. Let me know...

Warmly,

S. Ihrig, L.Ac.
Lotus Wellspring Healthcare
456 E. Mission Road, Suite 100
San Marcos, CA 92069
###-###-####
____@____.com
www.lotuswellspring.com

2 moms found this helpful

There is meds you can take that are safe while breast feeding, ask your doc, no reason to be miserable. THe benefits of the meds way out weigh the draw backs, your kids need a happy healthy mom, your hubby too! GREAT JOB BREAST FEEDING THE BEST THING FOR YOUR CHILD!!!!!!!!!

1 mom found this helpful

Dear J.,
Greetings!!!

Firstly, I want to commend you for nursing. There's nothing more magical between a mommy and her child! It's true love! And, Jeanette, I truly understand how you are feeling as a MAMA myself. Experiencing DEPRESSION is downright heartbreaking and so overwhelming, especially when you want to be the best MAMA you can be and everything becomes an effort. It's wonderful that you are researching natural and homeopathic remedies for how you are feeling. There are definitely many natural solutions that can actually help with what you are going through.

I highly recommend contacting Dr. Anita Pepi who is truly an amazing Chiropractor and Nutritionist and would definitely be able to help you naturally.

Here's her data:

2950 Los Feliz Blvd. Suite 101
Los Angeles, CA 90039
(323) 666~1088
http://www.drpepi.com

If she is too far for you, please let me know as I may know of an incredible nutritionist that is closer to you.

I also recommend checking out 4 organizations validating why going the natural route is best for you and your family:

http://www.uniteforlife.org/
http://www.cchr.org/
http://www.cchr.org/mothers_act.html
http://www.labelmesane.com/

You'll also find some amazing data regarding alternatives at: http://www.cchr.org/solutions_and_alternatives/

And, J., please watch:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=LQW23XCmOCw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qble_vQEC7M
http://www.psychconflicts.org/

Please free to reach me anytime at: (323) 906~2784 or via e~mail me at ____@____.com. I'd love to help you however I can. And, I promise, there is light at the end of the tunnel! : )))

LOL,
L. (Mama to 39 week old Dylan Orion).

1 mom found this helpful

Good Evening, well seems like you are overwhelmed. You area busy mommy. Have you thought of giving yourself some time alone. Sometimes us moms need a time out. Do not think of taking meds this will bring more ... to your plate. good luck do some reading, jogging, gardening, scrapbooking, or find a hobbie of your interest to keep busy when you have a free time.

1 mom found this helpful

Dear J.,
You are under the gun with 4 kids all the time. I know how that feels since I had 7, now grown (I survived, thank God!). I noticed a big benefit when I began consistently taking vitamins and eat healthier foods (the kids benefit from them too). At the health food store there are vitamins that help your mood: balanced B vitamins help combat depression, also more calcium, magnesium and vit D keep your nerves from getting jangly (Twinlabs brand has a good daily (one a day) multi with everything in it). Plus GABA is a natural amino acid that promotes calmness. Good quality vitamins are not cheap, but the price is worth it in the way you feel (stronger) and can handle the day's stressors (not freaking out!). The best prices I have found are online at:
www.iherb.com
If you need advice on which ones are best call Health food city in Pasadena and ask for Martin or Jesus. They are experts on all that stuff (or look online)!
My heart goes out to you because the job you have is tough. You are like a soldier on a battlefield, fighting exhaustion AND yourself not to give up at times. Pray for God to give you strength each day. I had to go in the bathroom alone and cry out to Him for help often not to lose my cool sometimes. It's doable, don't give up, and DO do everything you can to remain strong and healthy, & take naps if you're tired. Those kids need you, so you have to take care of yourself.
I have a little illustration here I made for just your situation:
http://www.gomommygo.com/inspirations.html
There are lots of other good tips to keep the kids acting better, too, on the other pages. Check them out, they really help a lot!
I know YOU CAN Make it!
:)
Best, R.

1 mom found this helpful

J.,
I highly recommend getting your thyroid checked. It's a simple blood test and only takes a second. I was severly depressed after my second and turns out that was my problem. That short test changed my life in just a matter of days.
Good luck. You're doing the right thing seeking help and advice from others. Stay strong, you'll figure it all out.

1 mom found this helpful

Do you have anyone to help you? Will a relative babysit sometimes so you can get some time to yourself. Can you join a gym that has babysitting. You are taking care of so many kids, but you need to take care of yourself too - if you are not already exercising, execise will help with the depression. I have 5 kids, and when they were little, I did whatever I could to get in exercise. This included taking them for walks, going to the gym and taking the kids to park and while the older ones played, I ran pushing the youngest around the park - I could still see the kids. I would have been totally depressed too without exercising.

1 mom found this helpful

I feel for you. I have an 8 month old myself but only her for now. I am 9 weeks pregnant with our second. I have been feeling very depressed these last 2 weeks and have a hard time enjoying my daughter. I have thoughts of how hard it will be with another one. I feel so tired and no energy. Did you feel this way? Bless you for having the courage to have 4. I sometimes feel that I am not made to be a mom. I only feel this way a few times a month. Before I had children I couldn't wwait and fantasied of how great it would be. Now that I am a mom I have days where I wish I was young and free again. Do other mom's feel this way and how do you cope. I feel guily for these feelings

1 mom found this helpful

I feel your pain!! I myself have a daughter who will be 16yrs on 7/7, a precious lil boy turning terrible 2 on 7/29, AND I just had another beautiful lil boy 3/25! I went through the whole PPD thing when I found out that I was having such a HUGE age difference with my 1st 2 kids, then look out, I get pregnant again. I cried every day during my pregnancy and hid it from everyone. I pretended that I was as happy as can be, but inside I had sooooo many emotions and thoughts going on. It was so hard for me, and sometimes it still is. I feel so overwhelmed, like there is not enough time and not enough of me to go around for all 3 of my kids who are needy in different ways. I always have the feeling I am neglecting one, if not all 3!! My youngest is now going to be 4 months and it is getting easier for me. I am so blessed to have a wonderful father to help me, but sometimes that doesnt seem to be enough! You are always going to have those feelings, but just need to realize they are not there forever. Children are a challenge, but so so so worth it. To wake up in the mornings for work at 5am, I am so tired and grouchy, but as soon as I wake up my boys and they smile at me, it makes it all worth while. You will have your days when you seem like you cant make it through, but you are going to do fine!! Whenever you feel grouchy or done with it all, go sit with your kids and watch them smile, it will take away all your pain!! good luck!!

1 mom found this helpful

I know exactly how you feel. I recommend that you start by talking to your doctor first. I was totally against taking any medication but my doctor did alot of research for me and I found after taking the medication for 6 months I was able to be mediation free. It is work taking care of little ones, I am a director of HR and I can deal with thousands of employees but feel more exhausted while home with my three daughters now 3,5 and 7. I have been home for 4 months and I give you so much credit. Keep smiling and remember your not alone. Our babies are gifts from above.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi J.,

I am sorry to hear you are having such a rough time. Do you get outside much? Sunshine is one of the best mood lifters. It gives your body much needed Vitamin D which can help your mood quite a bit. You don't need much sun, just about 10-20 minutes a day on as much skin as possible, depending on your skin type with no sunscreens.

I hope this helps.

T.
www.sharethecause.com/T.

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Do you have any family or friends that can let you have so time to yourself? Even just a hour or hour and a half. Are you eating healthy and enough for you and for baby? Did you have depression with the others? Having a family especially with 4 children under 6 would make any normal person moody and a little depressed. It is an enormous amount of time and energy for the care and responsibility of children.
Take a break and maybe check with your OB/GYN.

For your kids sake, for your sake, please see a Dr. It doesn't mean you'll need to be put on medication. It may be as simple as eating better and exersising (not to say that you aren't already doing this but if you aren't, those two things alone can be a cureall). Also, if you aren't already part of a Mom's group, join one or start your own! I find the daily interaction I have with my Mommy friends to be very theraputic.

You have a lot on your plate, so it is no suprise you are under a "little" stress. Reach out - just like you did here on Mamasource. Talk to your husband, talk to your Dr.

Best wishes,
M.

You Maybe having late Postpartum depression, give it some time, anod if you don't feel better soon, talk to your doctor, but breast` feeding or not you don't want to go meds, there are natural cures for what you are experienceing, J.

Hi J., I'm the same age and just adopted our first child so I don't have PPD horomones to blame but I can relate to you feelings.

I set goals for and keep a journal of my daily activities (how much I sleep, eat, exercise, feel etc.) I find when I write down things I am better at doing what I know I should do, like eat better, exercise more, be patient with DH. In the end my emotions are often more balanced and I feel better.

Good luck to you!

Hi! J.,
You sound very much like me. I have come to realize that I have been depressed since I hit puberty. I also had 4 children in 6 years, 6 months and 5 days. I spent the next two years wearing out a recliner. I didn't talk to my doctor until just resently and my youngest is 28 now.
I don't have any answers, only a warning. Alot of the pills will turn off your ability to have an organism. I would use that as a very last resort.
If you have friends close, try getting out as much as you can and they said exercise helps. However, if you are really depressed, who feels like that. Your friends might be willing to help you get out and walk or exercise.

Try to look for help with friends maybe do a play date with your friends kids. Also try having someone come atleast once a week to help you with the kids as a friend or pay job so that you have time to yourself. You can always email me and we can talk via mail so that you do not feel left out or depressed. ____@____.com I wish you well and take deep breaths in the morning and say thank you lord for letting me breath this morning.

sincerely,
D.

Hi J.,

Make an appointment and talk to your doctor. There is nothing wrong with taking medication to help battle Post Partum Depression and it does NOT make you a bad person. They have meds that are safe for you to take while nursing. Talk to someone, you'll feel better! Good luck.

Call me if you'd like to chat.

###-###-####

-Char

Hi J.,

Find some support group in your area where you can go interact with women and take the kids along. This is postpartum depression. You need to find some support so you don't have to take care of the kids by yourself, it's too much. You have to take care of yourself so you'll be able to take care of the kids.

V.

I truly believe exhaustion leads to depression and moodiness. Are you doing anything to take care of yourself as a women. "If moma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." Is there someone who can give you a bit of time off. Do you have friends you can go out with and have lunch, dinner or a drink. Do you work out. When was the last time you treated yourself. Children can drain you, I reccomend being creative and find ways to do things that re-energize you, so you can come back and be mom. good luck