Postpartum Depression and Your Experience

I had horrible PPD. I was unable to treat it holistically. (That is to say, nothing worked short of prescription meds.) People who are able to pull out of it by "pulling themselves up by their boot straps" so to speak, do not actually have PPD, they have baby blues, which is much milder. Depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain, and it tends to feed on itself. In other words, the more depressed you get, the less likely it is that you'll be able to pull out of it without medication. That being said, there are medications you can take that are safe to take while pregnant and breastfeeding. Ask your doctor about this, s/he can help you through this. Hang in there. PPD is so tough to cope with when you have a new baby, aren't getting much sleep, and you're overwhelmed with a tide of hormones. Please speak with your doctor; help is available for you!

I had PPD with all 3 of my kids. I was miserable. I dealt with the first, not even sure that is what I had...my Mom described having the 'baby blues' and that most people get it and I just dealt with it. With the 2nd, I figured I got thru the 1st time, I can do it again...but boy was it hard, hubby suggested talking to the Dr. and I nixed the idea and took some vitamins and tried to eat better and get more rest, it still was hard. With the 3rd, I just couldn't do it again, after talking with the hubby I understood that it wasn't just effecting me but my whole family...talked with Dr. about it and took a minimal dose of Zoloft for 8 months before I weaned myself off it slowly.

The best way to describe it is...never being happy/content, a bit of a 'dis-connect' in all LOVE areas and always feeling very frazzled!

I had the baby blues with my first one, but it didn't last long. I do know that getting enough omega-3's in your diet will help. I eat lots of "chia" seeds. You can have them on your oatmeal or as a snack. They taste like small little nuts. They are full of omega-3's, and there are more omega-3's in chia than in flax.

There is also fish oil if you can handle that. I take a teaspoon everyday. With fish supplements in pill form, you'd have to take about 15 of them to equal one tsp. of the oil. I get the kind that has been tested for mercury and PCB's. The best ones on the market are Nordic Naturals and Carlson's fish oil. (vitacost online has the best prices by the way). There is a lemon or orange flavored one that covers up that fish taste.

I am not a doctor MG; I'm only going on lots of research and all the studying I have done on nutrition for the past 30 years. I hope this helps MG. I feel for you.

try going to a Professional Naturopath or Holistic Doctor or practitioner.

Each person... should be evaluated per THEIR condition.
It can also be hormonal... it being out of balance.
So, the best way to be diagnosed and get targeted help/treatment for YOU... your situation.. is to seek a Professional.

I know, its hard, but really, see a professional...

You have not mentioned how long ago you had your baby. If it was very recently, and if you are experiencing "baby blues," then it is very normal to feel "blue" (weepy, sad). If it's been several months since the birth of your baby and you are experiencing depression, then I would address this with your doctor. I do not know of holistic ways to deal with whatever you are dealing with...because I do not know any more details then you have given. It may be my understanding that you do not want to do prescription drugs. It's easier to say, "just smile and try to be happy," than to actually do it. Our hormones, especially after the birth of a baby wreck havoc on our minds and sometimes we do need something that only a doctor can prescribe (short term) that will even out our hormones. I would talk about this with your doctor and start there.

Try lots of exercise and vitamin d. Acupuncture might help as well.
They all worked for me.

Omega-3s helped me. You can take fish or krill oil or flaxseed oil. Whole Foods and other natural food grocers may have the flavored flaxseed oil. I would take it by the tablespoon or drizzle it on yogurt or in a smoothie. Also, can you get out in the sunlight? That helped me as well.

If you need more help, you should call a nutritionist. Here is the link to a nutritionist in Scotts Valley that I have used. I would definitely recommend her.

http://www.healthylifestyleonline.us/

Good luck!

I had it bad. I lived 2k miles from anyone I knew and hubby is a workaholic. His job is not normal to anyones hours so it takes its toll. i once was 2 under 2, oi! I mainly beat the depression by pulling myself out mentally. You really have to "trick" or get your mind into only positive lights. This wont work for everyone and it takes time too. You have to make life better by changing your routine, keeping good things and people around you. It is a major change around from single to parenthood. Accepting the changes and rolling with them is part of the process. Accepting how you feel and that is ok to feel down at times is part of it. Best way i beat it was by keeping myself occupied with things I want to do. I had this 2 times while preggo. I also wrote down things in my life that were making me blue. I found that I was stressing over pretty stupid stuff and told myself to get over it, seriously. Life could be worse and be grateful what I have.

I dont know if what I had could be called postpartem depression, but yes, I was on a constant emotional roller coaster and I think my family members were even too afraid to chat to me, because all i would do is cry. I cried for the dumbest reasons. but my hubby knew that whenever I had a rough day (which was everyday) he would buy me a slab of chocolate (I am what you call a chocoholic) and yes I would eat the ENTIRE slab in one sitting. Thank God I was breastfeeding so I didnt gain weight. along with my 'depression' I also had carpal tunna (if thats how you spell it). which means my wrists and certain fingers would ache! chocolate works wonders...