PND showing as anxiety and CBT

[LittleWaveyLines]

I've suffered from depression in the past, but since my DD was born nearly 9 months ago I've had major anxiety issues - mainly health - mine and hers.

For example - for the first 3 months after she was born I was scared to kiss her in case I gave her cold sore herpes.... and I've never had a cold sore to my knowledge :(

I have major panics several times a week, and generalised anxiety most days. I am quite down as well, and sort of just "go through the motions" with DD. Feel there are things I have to do, rather than enjoying my maternity leave with her.

Anyway, despite me going to the GP about it back in November, I've only just been allocated a treatment slot, and it's for CBT.

So I have 2 questions - is it common for PND to exhibit mainly as anxiety?

and how useful is CBT for PND?

TIA

[WeeKirkie]

I was diagnosed with severe post natal depression after the birth of my third child which to the doctors came out of the blue! However I had 2 burst eardrums, my ceasaerian scar had burst open and got infected, and since I was so ill our banks kept going into withdrawal. I was given very strong antidepressants which I never took and explained that there was severe physical reasons why I had become depressed and the doctor agreed. So my question to you is this, has your feelings changed since the baby was born, or have you always been over cautious about illness etc? If so you are exhibiting behaviour more like OCD which needs different treatment to pnd. Also didnt agree when I was told I had PND untill the doctor asked me was I enjoying my baby? That was what gave me a shock! I had been very proud of my other 2 kids taking them out, loving people telling me how cute they were etc. and realised how very little I actually felt for this baby! Hope this helps you understand what might be going on, and my child is now nearly 2 and very much loved so know that these feelings wont last forever. Best luck to you :)

[LittleWaveyLines]

I've always had a few niggly worries about the big illnesses, but never to this extreme before.
I certainly didn't enjoy the early months and resented her a lot to some extent - but then she had colic, and has never slept more than 2 hours in a row, so I'm somewhat sleep deprived. She's now 9 months and still waking hourly or 2 hourly.... she also doesn't nap well, and won't be put down most days, and wakes if I leave the bed in the evening so I'm trapped there. So I don't get much "time off"

I am quite tearful, but again that could be sleep deprivation...

[LittlePoot]

Oh you poor thing. I really feel for you. My lo is now nearly 14 months and all is now well, but for the first few weeks/months I had terrible anxiety and struggled to bond. My anxiety was hard to pin down to anything like illnesses, it was more like an overwhelming sense that I was doing everything wrong and that I couldn't cope. I don't think there is a definite line where pnd starts so it's hard for anyone to definitely say you do or don't have it. But anxiety can be a (the) major symptom. Either way, Cbt is actually very good for treating anxiety and giving you strategies to stop it coming back in future since I'd definitely do that. Some anti-depressants can really help with anxiety too. I was given citalopram which turned things around for me in about six weeks so that I really enjoyed the rest of my mat leave and even cope better with sleepless nights. Six months later I gradually came off them and have been well ever since. Be warned though, the first couple of weeks on citalopram gave me even worse anxiety and was a massive struggle to get through, and I think that's a common side effect. Worth it though for me.

[LittlePoot]

Sorry-that sent before I meant it too! I was also going to add that I found the no-cry sleep solution and nap solution books and the baby whisperer really helpful in coaxing lo into more sociable sleep habits. Or other friends have been done more formal sleep training and got good results too. Your sleep deprivation will be helping make you anxious and tearful so please don't beat yourself up for that, or for sometimes feeling resentful of the little person who disrupted everything in the first place! That's really common too although I think a lot of people won't admit to it. The whole baby business just turns your whole life on it's head and although ultimately you love them and wouldn't be without them, it's not easy-whatever some people make out. I'd definitely recommend having a good go at the CBT and maybe talk about anti-ds with them and/or your Dr if you'd like to.

[NotAnotherNewNappy]

My PND showed up as stress and anxiety, even though I'd had low mood depression in the past. Things that had been worries in the past became full blown phobias (i.e. dogs and driving). I found CBT extremely helpful, along with ADs. Best of luck.

[Solola]

My postnatal and antenatal depression was more anxiety based (insomnia, panic attacks and anxious thoughts) than being tearful and sad and not wanting to get up and out.

Was skeptical about CBT but to my surprise found it v.helpful and it turned things around for me. Would def recommend giving it a go.

I also took antidepressants citalopram (1st time) - it's true you have to expect increase in anxiety for first 2 weeks, I was prescribed sleeping tablets during that time and (2nd time) doseplin, not sure of spelling but that is more anti anxiety than antidepressant.

So in answer to your two questions, yes and very helpful imo.

[leedy]

My main PND symptoms were anxiety and insomnia, so yes, can definitely present that way.

Counselling/CBT helped but I really only got full relief from antidepressants (Lustral/sertraline) - like some of the others I got more anxious when I started taking them (and couldn't take anything to help me relax as I was still exclusively breastfeeding) but I had been warned about that, and once I got the dosage right and they kicked in properly I was back to my old self again. No more 4am whirlybrain! Had no noticeable side effects or problems weaning off them, and would definitely take them again if it happens again.

[Dulra]

My PND was completely anxiety based didn't feel depressed at all which was why I was so surprised that I had pnd. I had insomnia, panic attacks and crippling anxiety. I was prescribed citrolpam (sp??) and within a few weeks of taking that I was fine and was weaned off with no problems 6 months later. i had been told about CBT but never got the chance to do it. The more I talk to people who have suffered from pnd the more it does seem to be anxiety based. Littlewavey after 9 months of suffering I would really encourage you to get help it doesn't have to be this way and you will get better. Mind yourself xx

[mrsaligee]

Hi, I have just been given meds for anxiety/pnd (propranolol). I went back to work full time when DD2 was 7 months and I also have an older DD who is 2. I managed to do one week of work before my back went bathing the kids and when I went to see the doctor it was all I could do to stop myself from breaking down. The most stressful part of that week for me was getting two kids ready for nursery first thing in the morning before my commute despite having their/my clothes and nursery bags ready the night before.

If I look back over my maternity leave, I didn't enjoy it as much because we moved house and I didn't know any other mums although I did go to a breastfeeding mums group once a week. I thought I could cope with the sleep deprivation but clearly it had a major impact on how I was feeling. I also was dreading the return to work because some major changes had taken place and there were a lot of new faces. Your brain degenerates to a certain extent when it's not being used in a work capacity in my opinion and I was finding it hard to even remember how to plug in the laptop! That stressed me out because everyone expects you to pick up where you left off.

Anyway, I am due back next week and am planning a phased return to work with one day a week working from home and for the next two months, a day a week to myself (using my annual leave). I just have to hope my boss agrees to it because I don't know how I'm going to cope otherwise.

Sorry if this is a "me" post, but wanted to let you know you're not alone. All the best for your recovery. I haven't been offered CBT but I may look into it.