I think i may need some help...

Please don't judge, I need at outlet.

Overall, I really have a beautiful life. I have a great house, great husband, beautiful healthy child, great parents... but I am not happy like I should be.

Ever since I had my baby, I can't seem to shake feelings of sadness and restriction. I thank God every day for blessing me with a baby who is thriving, so healthy, so happy. I should NOT feel this way. My baby is almost 14 months now, PPD, which I believe I had, should be gone by now, no?

I keep telling myself there are tons of people out there who wish for what I have... a happy, healthy baby. Why can't I be happy? Why can't I stop feeling so sad, so restricted?

What is wrong with me? I know I can take my baby out... I know I can bring him places with me... but with the naps, the feedings, the diaper changes.... that is where my sadness and restrictive feelings come in. But why? I wanted a baby for so long and I was blessed with a fantastic one... why can't I find the good? Why can't I put those minor, minor things aside and enjoy my baby, my life.

I have the most supportive husband in the world. He helps the best he can, he loves me... why can't I be happy with what I have?

I don't want to go to a doctor. I just want to feel better... enjoy my life. I have a great life - what can I do to see that?

Re: I think i may need some help...

I would see a Dr. Sound like it could be postpartum

Re: I think i may need some help...

You can absolutely have postpartum depression still. You need to see a Dr and you need to let at the very least your DH know. You may need some medication for a little bit. Please don't pretend this isn't happening. This is very serious.

Re: I think i may need some help...

Please see a doctor for PPD, definitely sounds like you could be suffering from it.

Re: I think i may need some help...

I agree with the other posters, you may not want to see a doctor, but I think you need to. You could still be suffering from PPD, and they can help you get back to enjoying your baby.

Message edited 11/8/2011 4:31:50 PM.

Re: I think i may need some help...

It's probably PPD. It is normal to feel restricted- having to care for a baby is restricting in a way, it is a huge change to your old routines/life but it shouldn't be so depressing and debilitating. It may not go away until your baby is able to do more for him/herself. I would talk about these feelings with your doctor and maybe there is medication or support groups or some other sort of help out there for you.

Re: I think i may need some help...

I had PPD after my first son, and had many of the feelings you describe. I also felt guilty for feeling that way, since I was blessed with an amazing baby who I love very much.

I got a referral to a therapist through my company's EAP program. She was fantastic. I saw her for a few months, and things turned around for me. I didn't need to take medication, but I know a few women who did and it helped them also.

GL Get the help you need. More women have experienced this than you realize..you are not alone.

Re: I think i may need some help...

I had pretty severe PPD with my DS (He's the same age as your DC). I was in denial about it for a long time. PLEASE, PLEASE PLEASE go to a Dr. Call your OB and ask for a recommendation for someone that deals specifically with PPD. My OB sent me to someone and at my 2nd visit with her, she said my case was so bad and she knew I needed someone who had a vast knowledge of PPD and how to help.

I was also totally against any meds and said I would ONLY do talk therapy. (Took me almost 4 months to even seek out help despite pleas from my husband).

Looking back, I wish I would have gone sooner. I missed SO much of my DS' first year and will never get that time back. I did give in and go on meds, it's been almost a year and things are SO much better and I am pretty much back to my own self.

I wish I could refer you to my therapist, she is AMAZING. She only deals with PPD (she also had it after the birth of her first child). But I don't live in NY.

Please call your Dr. If you need to talk, please don't hesitate to FM me.

Re: I think i may need some help...

Please, you NEED to see a doctor about this.

Dont think that somethig is wrong, and you can just deal with it. Please, please seek help.

Re: I think i may need some help...

Re: I think i may need some help...

Re: I think i may need some help...

I don't think there is a specific timeline for ppd. You should definitely talk to your dr or a therapist good luck

Re: I think i may need some help...

Re: I think i may need some help...

i suffered from ppd for 20 months before I talked to my doctor. Don't wait, you can start feeling better within a few weeks.