When did you know

Question

That you had PPD?

Answer

With my first, I didn’t realise until I started coming out of the fog. It was nothing like I thought it was. I’d heard the warning signs were not bonding with your baby and things like that. I was the opposite and had such an intense bond that I felt I wasn’t worthy. 
The second time I struggled wasn’t necessarily PPD, but depression came back due to health troubles and family issues. I knew the signs better and I realised when even the simplest things seemed too hard. Like looking at washing and even though I had time, I just couldn’t make myself put it away. Or going to the extreme emotions in an instant. Small things would make me snap and I’ve never been the type of person to have intense outbursts. 
My advice would be that if you’re asking for yourself or on behalf of a friend, there is obviously enough that’s worrying you. So seek help for whomever you’re asking for. Even if there isn’t a diagnosis, it’s worth talking to someone. Hope you’re okay. Best wishes.

Answer

I think I didn’t realize it until I finally talked to my doctor around 8 months pp I had struggled w/ depression & anxiety before getting pregnant & it was pretty well controlled w/ medication & therapy, my symptoms in the postpartum period were different than what I had experienced before so I kept just feeling like “I’m not depressed, I’m just so so tired, if could just get some decent sleep I’ll feel better.” I mostly felt really frustrated that my baby cried a lot & nothing I did seemed to help & frustrated that breastfeeding was hard & frequently painful for me & frustrated that sex hurt etc. etc. 
My doctor upped my antidepressant & also checked my bloodwork & we found out my thyroid was out of wack, the pregnancy had triggered a flare of Graves Disease which has symptoms of irritability & low libido so I had that going on too! 
Long story short it’s always good to check in w/ your doctor if you’re not feeling like yourself, my daughter is now almost 3 years old & I’m completely back to feeling like a normal person :)

Answer

After the first two weeks I started worrying about being alone with my baby all day since my husband would be returning to work. It felt like I was going to have to care for our son on my own since my husband would need to rest for work. Then I thought about what would happen when I returned to work. I pictured myself going to complete a day's work, coming home to take care of everyone, be awake several times through the night, REPEAT. It seemed insurmountable. And I started thinking I would be so overtired I couldn't work and I would lose my job or I'd fall asleep driving and my son would never see me again. I stayed awake a few hours with these thoughts, tears profusely streaming down my face and cradling my baby. My husband awoke and upon seeing me this way immediately asked what was the matter. He patiently listened and offered comforting words. He suggested I might have PPD and that we should bring up the topic at our well-baby appointment. He then took our son into the next room and ordered me to sleep. He continues to be patient with my feelings as I continue to go through varying bouts of feeling okay to feeling despondent. Even though at times he has wanted me to "snap out of it", he knows that is easier said than done and will ask me to share with him, and that usually helps to brighten me up.

Answer

My first it was when I would get mad at his crying, crying non stop and suicidal thoughts. I sought￼ help from my OB and she helped me get through it without medication.
I didn’t have it with my second I would cry but it was from PPD just being overwhelmed.
This is my third and I knew I had it around 3 weeks PP. All I would do is cry over everything non stop, got annoyed at everything, yelling, insomnia, not wanting to be around anyone, lay in bed, leave without telling anyone and just give up. I didn’t seek any help cause I thought maybe it would go away after we got situated with a routine but it didn’t, we are 7 weeks PP tomorrow and was put on Zoloft day before yesterday because it got worse over time.

Answer

When I caught myself thinking that my son would be better off without me. That sent up major red flags and I made an appointment with a therapist.

Answer

With my first I had undiagnosed post part I’m anxiety for about 5 months. I thought that me wanting to protect my child and worrying about if she’d stop breathing in the middle of the night was a normal “new mom” thing but then it got to the point where I wouldn’t let anyone else hold her without covering themselves in hand sanitizer and we didn’t leave the house in fear she’d contract some airborne illness. With my second I developed the baby blues pretty much instantly and about two weeks pp I had full blown PPD. I have never responded well to medication so therapy was a big factor in my recovery. 
It’s so important that you pay attention to yourself. Only you know what’s normal. If you feel like something isn’t right then reach out and get the help you need. Like the other women mentioned, although there are “signs” to look out for PPD looks different for everyone and the sooner you identify it the sooner you’ll feel better.

When did you know

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