Can weaning cause depression, anxiety, etc?

[BellinghamCrunchie]

I had to wean DD a week ago because my PCP insisted I was depressed and wanted me to take Prozac. DD was nursing only once a day, anyway, so it wasn't all that difficult for her or me. She's okay with me rubbing her back before bed instead of nursing.

But since then I feel more depressed and anxious, not less. It occurred to me that the symptoms of depression and anxiety increased over the past year in accordance with DD decreasing breastfeeding. Is this possible, or am I crazy?

If its possible, how long does it last, should I stop the Prozac and wait and see if it gets better on its own, and is there anything natural I could do to help myself in the meantime?

[pianojazzgirl]

Oh wow, that's interesting. I wonder if that could be because of the release of oxytocin during nursing. Sorry, I don't have an answer for you but I will be watching this thread with interest. My ds weaned about a month ago and my anxiety (which was high before) has increased a lot. Hmmm....

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

Sometimes a antidepressent will have the opposite effect. Sometimes it gets better sometimes not. If not then you need to switch. Hormone shifts after weaning can indeed cause issues with your moods anxiety and depression included.

FWIW there are perfectly safe antid's that can be taken while nursing. The older the child the safer it is.

[WuWei]

Increase folate foods (not synthetic folic acid). Folate can improve depression and help to rebalance hormones. Magnesium could help also. We use Natural Calm.

Green smoothies are easy to include, just 2 cups frozen fruit + 2 cups of organic baby spinach in a blender (with water).

Beans, greens, liver and legumes are high in food folate.


Pat

[balancedmama]

Yes, weaning can definitely cause hormonal (and emotional shifts) that can intensify depression.

Yes, I agree with PP that there are many safe anti-depressants you can take while nursing.

[BestMother]

This is one of the Interesting over the board , as far as i know weaning does not cause depression , but if you are suffering depression and anxiety there might be other reasons for that , try to figure it out.......

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

Weaning causes hormone shifts because of that depression can and does happen it can also be related to weaning when not ready to do so that can lead to depression. Hormones, depression and anxiety are all related.

[CarrieMF]

Originally Posted by MCatLvrMom2A&X

Weaning causes hormone shifts because of that depression can and does happen it can also be related to weaning when not ready to do so that can lead to depression. Hormones, depression and anxiety are all related.

I agree. I weaned my oldest when she was 9months & went straight into a delayed post partum depression

[emaye_to_2]

I can only give you anecdotal evidence. When I finally weaned my DD at 2+ years I experienced a lot of anxiety, depression and mood swings simultaneously. I even called a PPD hotline. A friend of mine also weaned around 2 years and also experienced these symptoms. I hope you feel better soon!

[Llyra]

All of my weanings have been premature (before the kids and I were really ready) and all of them have been accompanied by depression. I don't know how much was biological (hormonal shifts, etc.) and how much because I regretted weaning. I do know that I missed the relaxing effects of the oxytocin release that comes with letdown. It's my drug of choice!

You don't need to stop nursing to take antidepressants; there are plenty that are safe. Try posting in the postpartum depression forum-- I'm sure plenty of mamas will have good advice. And after only a week, you and your DC could probably go back to nursing with very little trouble. If that's what you want, of course. If you feel ready to wean, then I would suggest first giving it a bit of time, to see if the hormonal changes settle down soon. If you feel like you can't wait, or if things don't even out, speak to your HCP about maybe a change in the meds, maybe?

[BellinghamCrunchie]

Unfortunately, DD has in the past even reacted to the "safe while breastfeeding" antidepressants, or else I have had bad side effects and couldn't take them. We've tried about 5 different kinds.

Prozac is supposed to be one of the safe ones, but it gives DD insomnia. That's what I've started taking about 2 weeks ago.

So I decided to wean - it was either that or not take them. But since weaning I feel worse. And also sleepy; something I've never felt while taking Prozac before (I've taken prozac before being pregnant with DD).

I have been doing green smoothies daily (actually 3X daily) since Jan. 1 (it was my new year's resolution). But I haven't noticed any difference. I'm also gluten-free.

Its a relief to know that others have experienced an increase in depression and anxiety when weaning, because that gives me hope that its temporary!

[Sadie's Mom]

Please have your provider check your thyroid levels (TSH, free T3 AND free T4) if she/he has not done so already. I had a similar experience with my son- the less he nursed, the worse I felt. My doctor thought I was depressed, but I couldn't shake the feeling that it was something else so I went to someone new. Turns out I was hypothyroid-I started on thyroid meds and now I'm feeling much better. My son is nursing once a day at 18 mos, so I'm not sure how I'll feel once we're totally done bf, but I really think there was a connection between the weaning process and my increase in thyroid symptoms (including depression). Good luck!