Postpartum Depression

Create a new post for topic
Join the Conversation on
Postpartum Depression
3K people
0 stories
280 posts
About Postpartum Depression Show topic details
Explore Our Newsletters
What's New in Postpartum Depression
All
Stories
Posts
Videos
Latest
Trending
Post

Whats the point? HELP!!!

I have so much that has gone on in my life which lead me to here and now. Childhood trauma (physical abuse, neglect, emotional abuse, molestation, etc…) led to PTSD & MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER. I also have ADHD, and my meds for that don’t work because my med manager can’t find a med that will keep my ANXIETY under control. And my anxiety keeps me from sticking with 1 train of thought! My anxiety level is at a consistent 7… but more on my bad days! My anxiety is getting worse with time, to the point where I spend my last $20 door dashing groceries because I have a panic attack at the thought of having to go shopping in a store. Also, I take my Propanolol medication everytime before I drive my car, because that also scares the hell out of me now. I raised my son myself for 20 years, and he just got his own apartment a few weeks ago. EMPTY NEST SYNDROME! I spent the 1st 16 years so focused on raising my son, that I unintentionally isolated myself for those 16 years. I understand that my old friends moved on when I stopped reaching out to them. However, I had POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION, for the first 5 years of my sons life, and when I unintentionally stopped reaching out to my family, they never (not once) bothered to try to call me. Not long after my son turned 5, it was like walking out of a fog and I felt sooo alone and lost and my first thought was “where did everyone go”! Since that point, when I woke up mentally and started trying to connect with those I cared about, I was never able to entirely make those connections again. An example of this was my brothers wedding May 2023, and I was surrounded by family and friends, but I ended up leaving right after the ceremony. This was because no one was talking to me and I started to feel very alone even surrounded by so many people I have known for years. It is like I no longer can carry a conversation, and the effort to connect with people makes me physically and mentally exhausted. When my son turned 16, I decided for the first time since I had him, that I would try dating again. I rushed into a marriage with the first guy who seemed interested in me, (seeing as how I have very low self esteem, and clearly assumed that I was to old to waste time trying to find better for myself). Within a few months of being married, his Narcissistic traits started to show. I do count my blessings, that I had been working as a Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician for years, and I was very aware of what narcissistic behavior looked like. Even then, it still took me another 7 months to kick him out of my apartment, and 2 more months to finalize my divorce. My marriage lasted exactly 1 year! Then I was raped by the next guy I went on a date with, and he gave md HERPES. I was 39 at this point, and having not dated for many years after my sons father broke up with me (in his next breath, after I told him I was pregnant). So Herpes guy was only my 4th sexual partner in all my 39 years. Also, my 1st partner (my manager at Walmart) also raped me, on my 18th birthday! A few months after getting herpes, I met a new man. He was in a bad place. He had been married for 8 years, together 10, and raised her to kids since her youngest was first born. She had Borderline Personality Disorder, snd had stopped taking her meds. She became abusive physically towards him as well as mentally. His doctors told him when he started having seizures, that they were stress induced. For his mental and physical health, he left his wife. Since he was the only father her kids had ever known, she promised to keep him in their lives. But when me and him started dating, she cut him out of his life entirely. I am pretty sure, although he never said it, but I’m pretty sure he blamed me for losing his kids. I let him move in with me, probably sooner in our relationship than I should have. 4 months in, I told him I was In Love with him. 2 months later I came home from work to hearing him on his phone (with speaker phond on). He was talking to his friend Kelsey (who was engaged, so it never occurred to me to be concerned about them two). They very graphically were discussing the last time they had sex in great detail (which had been a few days before the phone call). Then they started making plans for their next hookup. Now, I had never allowed myself to Truly Love someone before. I was devastated and started SELF HARMING for awhile. I broke up with him, but my nature is very empathetic and kind. He had no car to get to work and no ond else he could move in with. So he moved into my spare bedroom. For the last 1 1/2 years, he has continued to live with me (he says I’m his best friend). But I can’t shut those feelings of Love off. So everytime he goes out wya girl, I lose it. He spent the night at a hotel with a woman, tgd one he cheated on me with, and I ended up in a voluntary crisis house for 8 days. I know… and have been told by many people… that he needs to move out for the sake of my mental health. But… I have no one else. Like literally no one. Even my son who just moved out, will only talk to me when he comes over to my place to do laundry. I am terrified of him leaving. Of me being completely alone in my
big apartment. When I start thinking about kicking him out, I immediately have a panic attack. I know I could use some therapy/counseling, but the 3 places in my area that I signed up for have very long waiting lists. And my current med manager is having no luck with trying to find a med regime that works for me. So last week she referred me to a new person. This person id going to thoroughly reevaluate my mental health diagnoses, and start treating me using a new fresh pair of eyes.

I am SO SORRY that this was so long. But please keep in mind that I in fact DID NOT entirely list ALL of my trauma history or every negative thing that has derailed my life throughout my 41 years. This is just the cliff notes. But feeling so alone all the time, I don’t often get the chance to get all these thoughts outta my head. THANKS FOR LISTENING!!!

Most common user reactionsMost common user reactionsMost common user reactions 13 reactions 1 comment
Post

Mediation session requested by my boss and HR #PTSD #ADHD #Depression #Anxiety

After months of tele-therapy with my wonderful therapist and finally landed a job, I thought I’ve dug myself out of my postpartum depression and work place PTSD. After a series of events at my new job, I’ve found myself in the same situation, the only person moving lifting heavy boxes while we are a team of 6, being over worked and burnt out, not getting along with a coworker, etc. My director told me to work with HR and her to have a mediation session “to talk things out”. If this coworker is honest or harmless, then of course I am willing and ready; but all I can think of are the past events and how she can Lie about everything and manipulate the situation and people and people buy it. HR asked me how picture our mediation session, I honestly told her, if will look like the recent presidential debate I guess. I am inclined to say I will for sure lose, because I am a Christian and I will not lie and I am not good at responding to people lying to my face. (Of course I didn’t say these things to HR)
What do you think I should do before this all come down? One key word my husband told me is to stay “calm”. What do you think?

Most common user reactionsMost common user reactionsMost common user reactions 21 reactions 7 comments
Post

Recognition

All my life I’ve had many different diagnoses. Not because I have so many issues, just took until I was in my 30s and a bad bout of postpartum depression that moved my mental health professionals to realize it was not just that (although that was serious). Lots of mood swings and many medication changes later, I feel better than I ever have. Each new breakthrough gives me more hope for others. Don’t give up! #Support

Most common user reactions 22 reactions
Post
See full photo

😔The Biggest Smile Can Hide The Greatest Sorrow😔

There is so much stigma around mental health issues, especially amongst men. That is why, this Men’s Mental Health Awareness Week, it’s important to remember that sometimes the biggest smile can hide the greatest sorrow. Similarly to the old saying “you can’t judge a book by its cover”, you can’t judge someone’s mental health based on how they appear - just because someone appears happy on the surface it doesn’t mean that is how they truly feel.

#MentalHealth #Depression #BipolarDepression #MajorDepressiveDisorder #MoodDisorders #PersistentDepressiveDisorder #PostpartumDepression #Selfharm #Suicide #DepressiveDisorders #Grief #Anxiety #MightyTogether #ItsOKMan #Loneliness #OtherMentalHealth

Most common user reactionsMost common user reactions 16 reactions 1 comment
Post

Postpartum Depression

How do you all recommend supporting a friend with postpartum depression? I’ve been through depression myself but haven’t been through having a baby. It seems so hard. I’ve brought her food, texted her encouragement, and checked in with her via text around once a week. Any ideas from those who have been through it? #PostpartumDepression #MentalHealth

Most common user reactions 19 reactions 4 comments
Post
See full photo

What becoming a mom has done to me.

Hi everyone I’m new here I’m 25 female, and I just recently became a mother at the end of last year. Since becoming a mother has been difficult in more ways then one. Before I was pregnant i had really bad anxiety and depression. When I had found out i was going to be a mom it changed my mindset for the better and I took care of myself in a way I never had before. I was so determined to be a good mom for my baby. When I found out I was also scared because I’ve been dealing with acute pain in my back for 16 years of my life called spondololthesis. So I did ask my doctor if it’s okay for me to have a baby with my condition to make sure it wouldn’t get worse. She told me I was good to go. Little did I know that after I healed from child birth that. I was far from being okay. I’ve been dealing with chronic pain for 4 months. Everyday is a struggle I cry and I have very bad postpartum depression, and anxiety. I am getting help but I just feel so alone becoming a new mom is lonely but so is being in pain at the same time every single day. It’s been nothing but doctors appointments and stress trying to figure out exactly what is going on. I’ve been told it’s a form of sciatica and I have a disc disease. I am going to be getting spine injections and I’m hoping they will help me. If that doesn’t help me I will need surgery. (Back surgery) which is very scary. I feel so alone as much as my fiancée tried to make me feel better and take care of me. I still just feel so alone and I’m supposed to be happy and it’s very difficult to just be happy. My life has changed in more then one way it’s been very difficult to cope with all this change. Please don’t judge me or make me feel worse I just want to feel heard. All of this has been very traumatic.

#Depression #Anxiety #ChronicPain #newmom

Most common user reactionsMost common user reactionsMost common user reactions 22 reactions 8 comments
Post

Support group interest

Hello, and Happy New Year!

I am in the process of setting up a virtual support group for expecting and postpartum moms. The Mamas Haven will be it's name and it will be held weekly. You can drop in whenever you need support and connection. Who would be interested in attending? Please comment below if you are interested! I will add you to a list and invite you when the group is up and running!

#PostpartumDisorders #MentalHealth #OtherMentalHealth #PostpartumDepression #PostpartumAnxiety

Post

I'm new here!

Hi, my name is EntrancingOwl7143. I'm here because I just had my 4th baby and have a history of severe postpartum depression and anxiety on top of being diagnosed with major depressive disorder not pregnant, and I’m just trying to find healthy ways to cope before it gets to bad.

#MightyTogether #Anxiety #Depression

Most common user reactions 6 reactions 5 comments
Post
See full photo

A thought. A story. A reason.

I was 19 when I was pregnant with my first child. I made the choice to keep my baby and find a way to raise them alone. The second one I couldn't.. I feel grief. I wonder about all the what if's. I still cry. I still scream. I still feel guilt, but I made the best decision I could for myself and my child that I already had. They didn't need to lose their mother from complications. I got PPD with both of them.
#Abortion #MentalHealth #physicalhealth #Depression #Anxiety #PostpartumDepression

Most common user reactions 3 reactions