How long does it last?

[hipumpkins]

A sort of friend of mine is diagnosed with PPD. She has been on medication for 9 days and she called me last night to see if I would come over tomororow to "hang out". She is still "freaking out" are her words. She wants me "most of the day"
My sister, who had PPP(psychosis) told me that the medication should be kicking for my friend. My sisiter also said that she needs to do stuff on her own and she should not keep using people as a crutch but needs to see that she CAN do it on her own. My friend has not been alone once since the baby was born 2 weeks ago. I am planning on going over tomorrow but should I mention to her about trying to do things on her own? Shouldn't she be feeling the effects of the meds by now?

[weesej]

I am amazed they diagnosed with PPD at 5 days PP. PPD by definition is lasting 2 weeks+. In any case ALL moms 2 weeks postpartum are in need of a lot of support and care. I did not want to be left alone until week 3. Go help your friend, see that she gets some sleep and good food, see if she will go for a walk with you or if you can watch baby while she takes a short walk. She needs rest and support not to be up and out with such a little baby.

[hipumpkins]

This is her 2nd child and she had it with the first so perhaps since she knew what it as they gave her the meds right away.
Thanks for the advice!

[Jish]

Medication can take four to six weeks to really take effect in many people. If someone doesn't feel comfortable being alone with their newborn child, I think that should be taken seriously. Hopefully, your friend will start to feel some of the effects (though she likely won't feel 100%) of the medication in the next couple of weeks. If she doesn't, she may want to contact her doctor because they may need to switch her to a different med. Not all meds work for all people.

Kudos for you for being there for her.

[wombat]

ITA with Jish. It would take the 4-6 weeks for my anti-depressants to start working. It was painfully slow.

Re diagnosis, clinical depression can occur before pregnancy, during pregnancy and after pregnancy (when it's called PPD). The result is the same - you're depressed.

A depressed mother with a newborn who is asking for help needs to be listened to. It sounds early days yet. Gee I thought it was scary enough being home with my newborn and I luckily escaped PPD even though I had depression during the pregnancy.

You say she's a 'sorta friend' and sounds like she's demanding more of your time than you're comfortable with?? If that's the case, I'd make a visit for however long you're comfortable with and just check out her support system. Maybe go over a list of people she can call, including her therapist or doctor.

[hipumpkins]

I went over. She seemed good but she said she gets anxious and likes someone to be there, "just in csae". WE are only newly friends and really are just getting to now each other. We became friends b/c our daughters are similiar ages.

[applejuice]

I had PPD with my first three babies.

I could feel it caving in on me on the second day PP after the birth of my third. It lasted two years and two months. It was terrible.

The only thing that kept me going was the fact that I loved my DH and my children. I could not have cared less for myself. I truly wanted to do the best I possibly could for them. I reached out to others, and I always got the same rebuff - "sounds like you need some help...", yes, but no one was there to help me...always talking to the wrong person.:

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