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Our Antenatal and Postnatal Depression forum is a supportive space where you can share your postnatal depression experiences.

Antenatal/postnatal depression

Postnatal depression- will it ever go?

3 replies

iamworriedsick · 14/11/2012 11:44

My wife suffered with perinatal depression during almost the entire pregnancy of our second child. For prolonged periods she was self-harming and suicidal. This was incredibly traumatic and scary for me, not knowing if I was going to return from work to a dead body.

After the birth, the depression continued. Within the first few weeks she was admitted into a mother and baby unit, because she was deemed to be a risk to herself. She made good improvements and left, but several months on is now back in there. It has been over a month, and she has reached the maximum dosage she can safely be given of anti-depressants. But still, she is at rock-bottom with no sign of any improvement.

The doctors are saying that they want her to go back home, because there is nothing more they can do for her and they fear she risks becoming dependent on the unit. But she is still self-harming and suicidal. And I am terrified I won't be able to cope.

Does anyone have similar experiences of Post-natal depression? Can anyone reassure me that things will improve? At the moment I don't see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I'm scared I'm heading towards a breakdown.

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amazingmumof6 · 15/11/2012 10:15

I'm so sorry to hear of your your situation and would like to offer some support.
as you describe her state of mind I think she does need some sort of full time care/supervision, I don't know if she's been assessed by a pshyciatrist, but I don't know how in her current state she could possibly look after herself and be safe!

I don't know what you could do to extend her stay or change her medical care - are the doctors at all sympathetic?
what's the legal standpoint?
Are social services involved?
I'm unable to give advice about the depression part, but I wonder if you could get some help for yourself, like counselling? This is available, talk to your gp.

A friend of mine had PD and it took her several years to get better, so of course there's hope and things will improve, but the thing is that it will probably be a long recovery, especially that she's suffering so much.

what does she think about returning home?
she/you obviously will need help if she does go home, perhaps a friend or a relative to stay - tricky as she may refuse help and get even more stressed.
Same with paid/unpaid help - would be great if she can cope with someone else being there.

Are you able to take some time off or work from home?
Or reduce your hours? (I guess the answer is probably no to all, but if you talked to your employer they might be able to offer a solution)

I'm sure you are doing everything you can, which is why you need help & support too so that you can cope.

I wonder if you could talk to a nutritionist as there are ways of increasing the serotonin level in the brain through a specially advised diet.

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elvispelvis · 16/11/2012 10:34

Does the hospital have a day unit (or any other institution near you)? She could go there while you are at work and it would also serve as slower tansition from hospital life to home.

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StaciSylvan · 27/11/2012 17:42

Hi the meds took 6 weeks to work on me when i had PND xx

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