Postpartum Depression After 1 Year of Giving Birth?

Dear D W,

Good for you for getting the help you need to get back to feeling like yourself again!

Based on some advise from other moms, I just wanted you to be aware of a few things. You should not take herbal supplements or herbal "treatments" when already taking prescription antidepressants. There can be dangerous interactions. If you do decide at some point to go that route (herbals), please do so only in consultation with the prescribing physician and after you have been off of the antidepressants for some time. Also, herbals/supplements are not regulated by the FDA, so there is no guarantee of consistency between one herbal/supplement and another.

When appropriately prescribed and monitored by a qualified, licensed physician, anti-depressants can be life-saving. It sounds like you are doing what you need to do to take care of your physical and mental health, and as you already know, you need to be healthy to take care of your children and enjoy them!

For me, it is always helpful to get some good social support in the form of mommy and me groups; it's really nice to be around other moms who are going through the same parenting stages and issues. You will find that many of the women in these groups have experienced either PPD or some other form of depression to some degree, so they can relate.

Although you probably have little free time, if you can just squeeze in 20 minutes of exercise a few times a week, it can be very helpful---walking and yoga are two great things that don't require any great cost, a trip to the gym, or tremendous time commitment. My walks are my sanity savers!

Take care and best to you and your family.

J.

2 moms found this helpful

D, I truly understand how you are feeling as a MAMA myself. Experiencing the BABY BLUES is downright depressing and so overwhelming, especially when you want to be the best MAMA you can be and everything becomes an effort. Have you ever thought about researching natural or homeopathic remedies for how you are feeling instead of taking the medication? 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, please watch:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=LQW23XCmOCw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qble_vQEC7M
http://www.psychconflicts.org/
http://www.cchr.org/#/videos/making-a-killing-introduction

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 this tunnel! : )))

LOL (Lots Of Love),
L. (MAMA to 17 month old Dylan Orion....29 September 2007).

2 moms found this helpful

I had that happen too. Probably a little sooner than the 1 yr mark I was for sure in a slump. But it took me close to another 2 yrs before I realized what was going on and did anything about it. It was horrible...I just yelled at everybody and was so uptight and tightly wound from it. So for a while I was thinking , maybe I need some medication or something. Then one day my husband said maybe you should go to the doctor. I was like oh thank you for saying that. Just to hear some one else say it was so great. So I went and got on Effexor XR and took it for about a year and the weaned off of it. It was great. It made me feel like me again. All the while though, I learned alot about what triggered me to feel down and uptight. So now I am able to recognize those things and identify what is going on with me. I have been off for about a year now. I feel alot better and as long as I keep a good exercise regime going I am able to maintain quite well, but when I slip from exercising I still think I could use being on something once in a while. So my advice is to add some cardio to your life at least 2-3 days a week and I think you will see even better and faster results. I hope I wasnt rambling to much. And Kudos to you for being pro-active with your mental self.

1 mom found this helpful

Take those walks they naturally produce endorphins & help make you happy. Plus you will get out of the house for a few. :) This is what I do when I'm feeling funky. Many times I walk with my husband & we're able to hash out our kinks. Good luck....

I think I am still struggling with adjusting to everything. Sometimes I am not sure if it is depression or just sadness. could it be you are sad your baby is growing up? Or maybe is this your last one and that is sad. I was on medication once in my 20s and they do help if you need them. dont be afraid to take them ifyou need them.

Hello D W,

Have you considered Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine to help you to restore the balance to your body? I have treated women who have experienced Postpartum Depression, and they had wonderful results.

If you would like to know more or have questions, feel free to give me a call. I can be reached at ###-###-#### @ Rhee's Acupuncture Clinic. Good Luck, Dr. O. Rhee