The question before the long story:
Has anyone tried alternative means for controlling depression? I am wondering if someone has tried hypnosis or acupuncture or anything else that might have seemed to help. I am at my witts end. I call for help and I feel that I get the run around. I am not in the state of mind to deal with even the littlest problem.
Also, can the emergency room actually do anything?? I was told that I should consider going but I am afraid of being treated horribly for feeling the way I do. I don't have thoughts of harming myself or anyone around me, but my depression is getting worse that it has ever been.
I have been suffering from depression since my daughter was born 7 years ago. My depression is hitting an all time high. I have been on 200mg of Zoloft for some time now. I called my psychiatrist over a month ago for help and she told me there is nothing she can do because I am breast feeding my son. I have since gotten worse. I called my ob/gyn office yesterday and she said I should be talking to my psychiatrist, I explained that I tried to. She told me there are medications that I can take. She will call my psych. to let her know. My psych. called me and asked how long I am going to breast feed for. I explained to her that it will probably be a year. My son will not drink formula. I tried several different brands. (other family/friends have tried feeding him without me around.) He will however drink breast milk from a bottle so I know he will use a bottle. She again told me there is not much she can do for me. She wanted me to do some research on the computer after every thing settled down yesterday to find out what I can take. How am I supposed to know?? Why can't she do her job??
I did not have this problem 7 years ago when I had my daughter. I know there is something that could be done, but I can not find anyone to help.
My insurance is horrible!! I have blue cross for health, but I have an EAP for mental health and they are located in Alabama. I call them for referals and they ask if Milwaukee is close. Argh!! They only have less than a handfull of psyciatrists and therapists in thier data base. I get even more frustrated making a call to them.
Sorry this is so long. Thank you for reading this.
My ob/gyn told me that if it is bad enough that I should go to the er. I don't want to do this because my daughters father is trying to get custody of her. (he has since the day I fild for divorce over 5 years ago. I am now remarried. There is no way he can. I don't want to give him any ammunition. He is an attorney and he thinks that he is better than me.) I also don't want to leave my newborn. I am sure he wont starve but, I don't feel comfortable not being there if he wont take formula.
Thanks for reading. M.
I have never tried Hypnosis or Accupunture but I would suggest going to the ER if you are feeling especially depressed. If anything, they will be able to direct you to someone who can offer you the best treatment. A healthy mom is the most important thing here. Your kids will be okay.
So sorry it's been so rough! Does your Dr. think "pumping and dumping" would be an option for times when meds would be in breastmilk? Especially when your little one will take breastmilk in a bottle. I've been on Zoloft also, so don't know much about other meds, but maybe that's an option. Drugs.com has detailed info on meds. I didn't try alternative options while going through the worst of it, but when I tried to get pregnant the second time around, I tried to wean off the Zoloft and there were a few things that helped somewhat. I still ended up going back to Zoloft, so they weren't miracle cures, but they did take the edge off which might make all the difference.
-I took an Omega 3 supplement (Omega-Max or something like that - I'll get you the name if I can find it)
-I exercised whenever I could to get those endorphins flowing
-I took a T'ai Chi Chih class (different than true t'ai chi)...it was originated by Justin Stone...you can probably find the DVD at the library: "T'ai Chi Chih! Joy Thru Movement".
-and get time for yourself whenever possible!
I go to a chiropractor I really like who also does accupuncture (tho' haven't tried that yet). His name is Paul Risner and he has offices in Grayslake ###-###-####) and in Chicago (on Oak Park Ave. I think, but I don't have that #).
If you're thinking of changing psychiatrists, you might want to check www.ppdil.org or call Depression After Delivery info request line, 800-944-4ppd for referrals. Susan Benjamin Feingold (a member of D.A.D. and psychologist specializing in PPD) is in Highland Park and would be a great resource for counseling.
Take care of yourself, and feel free to contact me if you need someone to talk to!
Hi M.,
I'm so sorry you are going through this tough time. I myself am seeing a therapist for depression. It seems like every few years or so I experience depression and I understand how difficult it is. I don't have any idea about hypnosis or accupunture, however, I am reading this book that seems to help a lot. It's by David Burns, Mood therapy. It basically says that depression is not an emotional sickness but that it's all about your thought process. You have to retrain your brain. The book is excellent, it can be confusing and it requires work on your part. I have found that w/my depression I have to work very hard at it every day. I feel for you and understand how dark this time is. You want to get better for your kids so keep that in mind..whatever it takes. If you really think you need to go to the hospital than by all means go. Take care of yourself.. othwerwise you won't be able to care for anyone else!
Good luck and I wish you the best.
M.,
I don't believe the emergency room is the place for you. They only deal well with trauma, blood, accidents, etc..
Have you tried looking into a state run facility that works your payment fees on a sliding scale that is based on your income? If your insurance is in Alabama and your alternative is Milwaukee. Milwaukee is really not that far depending on where you live in Illinois and is a much better alternative than traveling say to the city of Chicago.
I too had postpartum after my daughter was born 7 years ago, I called my OBGYN and they asked if I was suicidal (I told them no, I had a newborn to care for), so their approach was only to deal with it if someones life was in imminent peril.
I find it hard to believe that your shrink can't find an alternative to your Zoloft that won't interfere with your breastfeeding, maybe a second opinion from a different shrink?
I wonder if your ex-husband and mine are friends, my ex succeeded in using my manic depressive disorder(and getting help for it) against me in court and won. Seems to me they would be happy to see that a person is taking care of problems like ours and see it as a positive thing instead of using it to take our children from us. And how would your ex-husband know about this and your treatment unless you needed to commit yourself to the psych ward to get your meds and your mind leveled out.
Glad to hear that you have a wonderful, supportive husband that helps you combat the elitist ex.
As to your question about hypnosis, I just don't know and I do accupuncture for chronic neck and back pain (too many motorcycle crashes) but I haven't tried it for post partum.
There are two very good accupuncturist that I know of, one is in Libertyville and the other one is in Lake Geneva, WI.
____@____.com if you need any other information.
Good Luck to You!
