Mood Shift

I agree with the others, it sounds like PPD - Post Partum Depression. I've replied to several other requests on this site and feel like I might be bugging some people with the details of my PPD experience, so I'll keep this one short!

In a nutshell, I suffered from Severe PPD which lead to PP Psychosis. Attended a PPD support group which I later helped facilitate, saw a Psychologist and Pscyhiatrist.

If you are experiencing PPD it will NOT go away untreated, only worsen.

I recommend you call you OB/GYN or PCP and schedule an appt immediately. They should have a screening they can administer to see if you fit the criteria or would benifit from Psychotropic meds. Please don't be embarassed to ask for help.

If you have any questions, I'd be glad to help.

Also, please let us all know what happens.
M. M.

Yes you may be thrilled with your new little one, but beware of post-pardum depression hitting you. Please don't be scared, it definitely does not mean you want to hurt yourself or your baby (I feel like I always have to clarify the definition of PPD ) Post Pardum Psyhcosis is the dangerous one. I cryed and cryed after caring for my preemie baby at home for a month. I wasn't sleeping or eating regularly and I simply became weak and feel into depression. I was so weak I couldn't care for my sweet daughter. It was awful, humiliating and it seemed noone understood until I learned about an expert in the field of PPD. Dr. Ronald Rosenberg, who also authored a book titled Coping with Post-pardum depression. Even if this is not your case, I would suggest that you talk to someone who knows about these types of issues. Don't necessarily rely on your doctor for a reccommendation because mine sent me to a quack. It is important to act quick and develop a support system. You may need help, but it does not mean you feel any less love towards your baby. Belive me, it is hard to ask for help but hey I'm still dealing with it 5 years later (that is an unusual case) usually these thing resolve themselves quicker. Don't be afraid of meds if that is what you may need now. Good Luck! I'm sure you are a great mom and your child is lucky. Please don't be embarresed, but I know exactly how you feel. It is hard to explain to anyone and yes you do feel like you are going crazy. You may be suffering from some anxiety as well. That use to hit me in the early evening. Are you ever afraid you can't handle things now that in the past were nothing to accomplish. If you do, I bet you get up every morning and do just what a good mother is supposed to do. I would love to start a support group for moms who have struggled with depression/anxiety after having a child. I just have to build my confidence back up.

I have suffered with depression, post partum depression, and now I have bi-polar disorder. I know how it feels. I absolutely believe that the best thing you can do is talk to your doctor about this. I have gone through counseling which was very helpful(but can be very expensive), and I also take a daily medication which makes all the difference in the world. Mental health concerns carry a stigma, and people react in ways that make no sense. Its okay to have depression and its okay to get treated for it. You have to do what it takes to make yourself a normal functional human being, because happy babies need happy mommies. Wishing you the best!

A.

I can totally relate!(i have a 2 1/2 year old and a 11 month old) i seem okay during the day and about 6 clock, im crabby , moody and im just done. I was gonna go to the doctor to see if its just being a mom of 2 small childern, so close together or if theres more to it.Ive just been putting it off.i guess scard to do it. im glad you wrote in and that there are others out there to, with the same thing. i look froward to hearing the response you get. thanks for posting it and good luck to you!

Hi there,
Sometimes I know how you feel. I know that for myself I find that by the end of the night I am completely exhausted. You might want to try taking a nap if you can or going to bed earlier. I am (very) emotional when I am tired. I'm not trying to down-play it but I notice it happening to myself so it's a suggestion that you may be able to try before heading to the doc. Just a thought and I hope that everything turns out well!

Hi L H,

Please don't feel bad. You are not going crazy nor are you alone. I often feel that way too. Many of my friends feel that way too. It sounds like what you are experiencing may be hormonal and/or a combination of horomones and post partum depression. One minute you feel on top of the world, next minute you're in the dumps. I'm 38 and have 2 kids and I've felt like this on and off for years. With me, it's almost always the horomones. Sometimes too it's just certain situations in my life that trigger the emotional roller coaster. The best thing to do is to contact your doctor and tell him what you are experiencing and see what he suggests. Also, it helps to talk with family and friends whom you can trust to vent to and give you support. It's healthy to cry and let those emotions out rather than keeping them bottled up.

Good Luck,

MC

Hi LH! I think 99.9% of moms go through this! I got like this after my first child, when he was about 5-6 mos. old. I felt like my life was perfect, yet, I felt depressed! I had NOTHING to be depressed about!! So, I talked to my dr. and was sooo shocked! He told me that it literally takes about 1 yr. for your body to get back to "normal" and that your hormones are still "out-of-whack". So, he prescribed me prozac to adjust my hormone level. At first, I was embarrased about it b/c I always thought that medication for people that are depressed. However, my dr. told me it helps with hormones. It really worked! I just had my second child in Dec. and when I stopped breast feeding, my dr. put me right back on it, so I wouldn't have that prob again. And so far, I've been fine.
Good luck, and know that there isn't anything wrong with you!
~L.

If your little one is only 9-months old, you could be suffering from a little post-partum depression. It can hit any time in the first year. Talk to your doctor and see what he/she thinks. Getting some zoloft was one of the best things I ever did! Let us know what happens and God Bless!

PLEASE see a doctor! This can be very normal pms or such, but it could also be a sign of something more severe. Even mild depression can be very scary, and you want to take care of it before it gets worse!!!! I have had major depressive disorder since I was 16, sometimes I'm completely normal, other times I'm suicidal. It just isn't something to mess around with. There are many forms of treatment including talk therapy, support groups,lifestyle changes, and antidepressants. Know that you are not alone, and you are doing the right thing by being concerned about your mood shift. I wish you all the luck in the world and hope that you are able to pass this over quickly!

I have had the same feelings as you! Like you, my life is not that bad and could be a lot worse. But I always find myself worrying about EVERYTHING! Since I became a mother, I just want everything to go perfectly and when it's not, I feel like I'm not doing my job correctly. My doctor put me on prozac. I know it sounds bad to be on prozac but it has helped me out a lot! It took about a month for it to work but you will notice a big difference. Also, I found that talking about things works really well too. I just needed to talk to someone have someone talk to me so I was reassured that I was not actually going crazy! Just always remember that there are A LOT of people who have it A LOT worse than you. If you ever want to talk I will be more than happy to help! Good Luck!

First of all I want to tell you that it's really good that you are reaching out for support. Secondly, I want to say that you have no reason to be embarrassed. Depression or sadness, or whatever you want to call it is not your fault and it is not a sign of weakness. In fact, your willingness to seek out support shows a lot of strength and courage. People who have had a "perfect life" are just as susceptible to depression than people who've had a rough go of things. My best recommendation is for you to talk to your friends and family about what's going on with you and even consider talking to your physician about getting on some low grade antidepressants if your situation doesn't improve in the near future. Diet and exercise can certainly impact your mood too. Take care of yourself so you can take care of that 9-month-old! :) Good luck with everything! :)

When I suffered from post-pardum depression I read a great deal about the illness. I remember reading that for some women, these feelings of sadness and depression don't set in until months after a baby is born. I feel able, I would recommend visiting with your doctor, who can hopefully put you in touch with a social worker and/or psychologist. I found it helped just to talk to someone. Good luck!

I agree with Amy, it sounds like post-partum depression. You should see the doctor as soon as possible or it will only get worse. Good luck!

I think many moms have had to deal with this. You are not alone. No need to be embarressed! What makes it even more difficult, even the sweetest and thoughtful hubbys have a hard time relating.
Before trying medication to mask your symptoms, try some lifestyle changes first. Not knowing anything about you, I am going to make some suggestions. YOu may or may not be doing these things.
Try taking all processed and fast/fried foods out of your diet. Eat a lot of fruits and veggies, boneless skinless chicken, fish. Take out sugars, you know, like cookies, cakes, candy, etc.
Add some type of exersize 3 - 4 times a week. Exersizing releases chemicals into your body that naturaly make us feel good, and energized. Also a great stress reliever. (Also a great stress reliever is lots and lots of physical touch with your hubby. As humans we all need touch to thrive. So, go at sister! Make lots of love with your hubby. Thats bound to make you feel better at night! :) ) And lastly, plenty of water and sleep. Which, I know is difficult with a 9 month old, but you have to try.
Oh, and one more thing. Thank You for having the courage to write this. Many women would not. YOu may be helping out many others, and that in itself should make you feel pretty good. Hope this was of some help. Heidi