Expectations too high? Or...?

[danielle13]

As some of you will know, I was (officially) diagnosed with PND about 5 weeks ago (ish).

I was prescribed Citalopram which I'm taking 20mg of daily.

After a week or so I started noticing the difference it was making to my overall mood, not stressing so much, not letting the little things bother me etc etc. That was a huge relief.
But now that I've dug myself out of that black hole that I was in when I sought help, I now feel that the meds aren't helping quite as much as I'd like them to.
But.... am I just expecting too much too soon?
I'm still depressed. I'm still anxious. I still feel incredibly isolated and alone. I feel more and more distant from my partner, who's support is pretty much non-existent.
I saw a psychologist twice who basically suggested that because I was feeling more calm, I was better, and didn't need to see her anymore.
Not so.
Am I supposed to feel satisfied that I'm not a ticking timebomb ready to go off at any moment, or am I justified in feeling like I should be getting more relief?
Are my continuing issues things that should be addressed more with counselling? Do I need to up my meds?
I know someone is probably going to come back with "see your gp"... Well, I have. Nothing came of it.
Please give me your thoughts.

[mum2my4]

Hi,

I think that maybe starting the med's and the counselling may have taken the edge off your depression, if that makes sense.

I would go to a different GP if I were you, a GP and Psychologist can't just expect 5 wks of meds and two sessions of counselling will be the magic cure and if they do that's pretty bad care IMO.

I don't think it's normal to feel how you still are, do you have a mother baby centre near you that you can contact. Sometimes places that specialise in PND can be more helpful.

:hugs:

[punkbaby]

Your expectations arent high, but sadly it does take time and doesnt just go away in such a short time, well in my experience anyhow from what i have had etc. I cant believe your psychologist said you didnt need to see her anymore, pnd doesnt go away for some, well for some it might but for me personally it only eases and comes back when i least expect it!
I feel great for months then hit a low again and i need someone to talk to, even though i dont see a psych now my mum is great for the support i need and she helps me through a hell of a lot. If i get really bad i will see my psych and i find this helps, i really suffer mainly from anxiety though now and do find depression kicks in but not as bad as my anxiety.
I would ask your psychologist to see you more, two visits isnt alot and you need support.

In saying that Its great that you are calrmer and the meds are working for you, stay strong and keep getting the support you deserve, its not an easy thing to go through :) it is hard when your partner doesnt support you though it took me a long time for my dh to actualy understand and accept i needed his support. Did he come to the counselling with you? It helped my dh undesrtand me alot more thats all.
I wish you luck *Hugs*

[mumof2angels]

From my experience, I wasnt on meds as i refused to take them, I had conselling for a long time and I think unless you deal with or confront the underlying issues of why you are depressed it will be slower getting better. Having a baby can bring up past issues in your life or childhood you havent dealt with and make you deal with them. It helped me to get better. You can do this because you are strong already to post this thread and want to get better. All the best.

[RoarsomeMum]

I had conselling for a long time and I think unless you deal with or confront the underlying issues of why you are depressed it will be slower getting better.

I so agree with this Dan.. And for your Psyc to tell you your all better.. OMG :banghead: The Meds can only do so much hon.. and I honestly think people with depression have complicated personality structures.. we tend to overthink things, over expect or underexpect. Having someone trained to talk through those confusing and sometimes crazy thoughts is a must IMO to a lasting recovery from the dreaded black dog. :hugs: :hugs: Dan, WELL DONE for sticking to the meds hon! Onwards and upwards from here.

[Shanaynay]

Hi Danielle :wave:

Whenever I start a new medication or start meds after a long break, I often find that they bring me out of htat hole, but it's still hard to get through the day. When I go back to my GP he usually ups the dosage, which either works which is great, or if it doesn't, we change meds and try again.

But I agree with the other girls... depending on why you have PND and your issues, counselling may go a long way.....

xx
:hugs:

[threepigs]

Hi Danielle,

New counsellor - definately :yes:

You're on the road to recovering but it's ongoing and you still need support to help you along. It's even more pressing that you get this support because your partner isn't supporting you, which is truly awful.

Please see someone else - someone who specialises in PND. I think beyondblue.com.au now have a hotline number you can ring and talk to someone. Perhaps they can point you in the right direction.

[danielle13]

Thanks ladies,
The thing that is most disconcerting here is, the psychologist I was seeing DOES specialise in PND, she's with Karitane.
I've found this whole process quite, from lack of a better word - disgusting.

I think I'll check out beyondblue and the black dog institute, but I'll admit I am sceptical - afterall I thought I was seeing the right people before...

This is one of the main reasons I resisted taking anti-depressants for a long time in the past, I know they're not the be-all-and-end-all of the recovery process, and I feel that my gp and psych feel satisfied that because I'm "popping pills", I don't need the extra attention and help that comes with counselling.

It's no wonder so many people slip through the cracks of this country's mental health system.

I'll check out other options and let you all know what happens.

Thanks everyone :hugs:

[punkbaby]

hey danielle PANDA is great too, my hubby thought they were excellent
you can check them out http://www.panda.org.au/index.html
Popping pills as its put, does help in a sense but doesnt make it go away :D
Good luck x

[Unsure]

:hugs: Danielle, I don't have a great deal of advice for you - only that I agree with everyone else. Try another counsellor, someone you feel comfortable talking to. Do you have any other outlets that help?? I've found that getting outside, going for a walk, even gardening makes me feel better - not so trapped by it all.
I hope you can get your DH to understand & offer more support, do you have any family or friends that make you feel better?? I know it's hard to depend on people sometimes - but when they are willing to helo - it help you...

All the best:fingerscrossed: