how did you know?

[Mamalicious]

How did you know you had pnd?

[camille]

With DD I didnt know that I had it until a few years later when I was diagnosed with depression and all the symptoms were the same. With DS1 I knew the symptoms and was prepared so that when I knew I was getting it I went and saw my GP straight away and got it under control.
Luckily with DS2 I havnt had it....yet.....I am always on the lookout for my symptoms though so I can catch it before it becomes a problem, such as losing interest in everything around me, getting extra cranky and snappy, crying at the drop of a hat, having self-harm thoughts to name a few.

If you just dont know whether you suffering from it (I found it the same as normal depression), I would take precautions anyway and go and see your GP for a chat.

[punkbaby]

I didnt have the actual depression side of things more so the panic and anxiety side of things. With dd9 i had it but didnt know, i didnt know what pnd was and thought it was one of those things. DS come and myanxiety got alot worse but i still didnt know what was wrong :(

With dd when she was about 4 months old i fell into a heap basically had a breakdown, working too hard and a combination of other things finally i went to a doc in tears and bingo i was normal i finally knew what was wrong with me.

At least i know this time what to expect, sure i still have mild attacks now and again but i can manage them they just seem to be alot more severe when i am pregnant or bf...the feeling of i will die and my kids will be left at home till someone realises really haunts me still. At least i am aware of it now and i am not hiding it from dh he knows when i am having a bad day and is really supportive :)

Sorry but the depression side of things i cant really help but try and prepare yourself for the support now if you know whats there to help and you have some people close to you that you can share pnd with this is a huge help :) Good luck

[ac51]

Hi.

I suffered depression about 6years before my first child. I had pnd with him but was not diagnosed/didn't get help until he was one.

I felt a difference with depression and pnd. The utter hoplessness, the confusion over whether i just wasn't coping with motherhood & something was wrong drew out my getting help. I cried, was not able to rationalise with reality, got angry and had very little self-esteem. I just wanted to run and hide and never be in contact with any of my loved ones again - i thought they would be much happier without me.

With the depression, i was sad, but the numbness, no sensation of the good or bad the the sense of darkness and hoplessness was so much deeper and more endless.

If you are at all thinking pnd...go see gp. Getting checked out is nothing to fear, help is there.

All the best and not sure if i really helped.

[taurusmum]

I have been diagnosed with depressiona dn GAD for the last 2 years and am higher risk but being "managed' in advance for PND if it comes up. I asked my doctor how would I know the difference between "normal" depression and PND? She said- Don't put a label on it, just know if you feel like cr*p, then to come in and see someone.