Tips on what works!
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Support
Forum Name: Living with Post Natal Depression
Forum Description: Around one in ten NZ mothers will be diagnosed with PND in the first year of their babies life. Find support and encouragement and share ideas for coping here.
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=15274
Printed Date: 30 December 2024 at 4:08pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Tips on what works!
Posted By: Cheche
Subject: Tips on what works!
Date Posted: 13 March 2008 at 4:01pm
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Hi everyone,
If you have any tips on what you have found helpful in coping with PND, anything you found made things easier please write them here. I am grateful for any advice! Thankyou in advance for any replies. x |
Replies:
Posted By: .Mel
Date Posted: 13 March 2008 at 5:07pm
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Take any help offered to you
Don't keep things to yourself Make sure you get time for you Don't do more than you need to Communication - especially with your doctor and/or partner. Take your meds ------------- Mr Mellow (16) Miss Attitude (8) Destructa Kid (3) 
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Posted By: Redbedrock
Date Posted: 13 March 2008 at 5:42pm
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Aaargh just did a huge post and Fay managed to catch the delete button before i posted it.
To summarise it !. Wot mel said 2. Got out of the house on a daily basis, even just round the block 3. counselling, even if you can't get hold a a free service it is a small price to pay for your mental health 4. Set goals for yourself small ones like hoovering the lounge this week and bigger ones like not stopping meds for a year 5. Be kind to yourself easy to say but takes some doing, my counsellor told I could not use the words should must and ought, (as in I must breastfeed my baby, even though I have no milk for her and she won't latch) 6. Join a group, I did a discussion group for new mothers with Mother's Network and there is a PND support group which offers a similar service. there will be something in your area 7. do something as an adult ie mum and Baby movie sessions, at least I had another topic of conversation Good luck, it does get easier and there is an end to the road, a year ago I could not see that, but here I am weaning myself off my meds and feeling really strong ------------- http://www.babysfirstsite.com"> 
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Posted By: Kellz
Date Posted: 13 March 2008 at 9:01pm
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What they said!
The biggest help for me has been telling people about my PND, asking for help, and letting people help. I learnt the hard way tho,...by trying to deal with it pretty much on my own- I was getting professional help,..but tried my best to hide if from almost everyone else. Now that it is finally all out in the open (following hopitalistaion for an OD), I am getting so much more support that I imagined I would. Know that there are services available for partners too. We borrowed a DVD on depression from plunket for DH to watch, cos hes not into reading. Also we accessed a service here that is especially for families of people with mental illness. He was able to talk with someone about how he was feeling, and how he could best help me etc. My Mum went with him too. Feel free to ask further questions, or just have a rant about how u doing. You arent alone 
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Posted By: michsal
Date Posted: 13 March 2008 at 9:29pm
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My Dr gave me a whole plan for PND but I was given another name instead of PND when I met the psychiatrist at MMH which was Adjustment disorder with depression. Whatever it was, I sufferred from mood swing and I felt miserable. I did follow the plan apart from the medication as the psychiatrist at MMH agreed.
Anyway,things that helped me were: - I ate a lot of fish as fish oil is good for mood swing - I made effort to go out of my comfort zone to meet other mums, playgroup, storytime in the library etc. - Reading, it relaxes me and helps me sort out my thoughts and it improves my knowledge too, it is definitely a great benefit - The hardest part for me is to let things go but you have to when you are out of control I can't thing of anything else ATM, but will add it if I remember anything. |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 13 March 2008 at 9:29pm
SLEEP!!!!! I cannot stress enough how much better I feel when I've had a decent sleep. Pity it doesn't happen often these days  -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: Shorty
Date Posted: 13 March 2008 at 9:37pm
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I would have to agree with the above.
SLEEP, Communication, Healthy diet, Enjoy some sunshine |
Posted By: Cheche
Date Posted: 13 March 2008 at 10:42pm
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Hey everyone,
I am so grateful for all the replies, every single little piece of advice is like gold. Please keep them coming!! x |
Posted By: michsal
Date Posted: 14 March 2008 at 1:45pm
Absolutely sleep is all we miss even though we all know how great you would feel if you have enough of sleep. However, it is just not that realistic once you become a parent. http://lilypie.com"> 
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Maya wrote:Posted By: porcelina
Date Posted: 14 March 2008 at 1:49pm
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I think everyone has pretty much covered everything The most important thing is a really good support network, whether it's other mums that you get out and about with (I go to walking groups and coffee groups), your DP/DH, your extended family, friends, whoever.
If I sat at home all day it would be really unbearable (before I started on meds I just wanted to sit and home and cry all day!), I make sure I drag Ruby out and about, having a child doesn't mean the end of a social life or doing the things you normally would, you just have an audience Every few days I do stay at home just so she can catch up on any sleep she has missed though.-------------   
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Posted By: Kellz
Date Posted: 14 March 2008 at 1:51pm
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But u can do things to help with getting more sleep! I wish I had listened to all the advice I got about having a sleep when baby does. I was always like 'Oh no I should be doing xx task" but really it is SOOO important. Also cos Isla was so unsettled and had no routinue for ages, I wouldnt want to go to bed stright after her, so stayed up way to late and night. I always thought "oh I'll be fine, Im not too tire", imagining that in a few weeks/months I would be back haing longer better sleep,...well Im still waiting! Lol! Still getting up in the night too
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Posted By: michsal
Date Posted: 14 March 2008 at 2:30pm
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I personally think it is easier said than done to sleep when baby does. I can't straight away drift off to sleep when DD is asleep. I do have a rest though and then when I am falling asleep, she is awake cos they just wake up frequently and I end up having headache due to being waken up suddenly by her cry.
However, these days I often lie down like half asleep after she wakes up and is happily playing. Sure it will take quite some years to recover once my sleep is disrupted into pieces. Sorry off the topic. http://lilypie.com">
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