New here

[frenchfry]

I made my first appt to talk to someone about PPD... I have no idea what to expect.

Any tips or encouragement would be great.

After some form of therapy... how long did it take to start to feel normal again?

Thanks.

[RasJi7]

Originally Posted by frenchfry

I made my first appt to talk to someone about PPD... I have no idea what to expect.

Any tips or encouragement would be great.

After some form of therapy... how long did it take to start to feel normal again?

Thanks.

Just wanting to show you some support. Congratulations on getting the help you need.

I have been in therapy for 2 months and not notice much change yet, I have good days and bad days. The days I exercise are the best days.

I am thinking about switching therapists. i hope you found a good one and can get the help you need asap.

[Super~Single~Mama]

I don't have advice, b/c I just started seeking help a few days ago. Just hang in there, and get as much help as you can (with the baby, cooking, cleaning, everything) It helps so much!

[njkarin]

I sought help after my son was 3 months old--saw a counselor, ended up taking Paxil, went to a support group, etc. It is so important to talk to someone whether it be a counselor or psychiatrist. At the time I started seeking help, I could not see the light at the end of the tunnel and even the simplest tasks felt overwhelming. Ten months later (now) I look back at my PPD experience and it seems like a lifetime ago. You will recover and you will regain your sense of yourself. Just be sure to seek the help and support you need. The length of recovery depends on the person and the severity of your PPD, but just know that you will get through it, even on the days you don't think it will get better. I still have the occasional day when I feel down but my support network gave me the tools to know how to manage those down days and I do it so much better now. Good luck and there is a light!

[frenchfry]

thank you for this... I really need that glimmer of hope right now.

[Gertie]

Congrats to you on getting help!

I went through 5 months of hell before admitting to myself and my husband that I might have PPD. I had 3 therapists blow me off- I had made appointments and they didn't show. I stopped trusting anyone.

Finally, I found someone I could relate to. She listened to me. She validated how I was feeling and helped me find a psychiatrist. I started off on Zoloft, and that was miserable. Then they combined that with some anti-convulsant, I don't remember the name. I felt ok, but developed a rash, and that was just no good. Then I got Cymbalta. And oh, the relief that came with that drug. I felt motivated to exercise again. I got out of bed, for crying out loud! I also was given an anti anxiety medicine to help with sleeping issues and the whole being around other people thing.

All in all, it took about 2-3 months for me to feel somewhat normal again. Now, almost 1 yr PP, I'm off the medication and things are going really well. It happens- you just have to try, and try again if that doesn't work, etc. etc.

There IS a light at the end of this long, dark tunnel. You may not see it now, but I hope you'll start to soon.