post traumatic stress/depression/anxiety...counseling?

[myjo]

I just took a test designed to help you assess whether you need to get help for ppd. It said to seek help if you scored over 40. I scored 69. But I'm sure it's not ppd. I felt wonderful emotionally for the first 4 months of my baby's life. But he's been very ill with repeated infections and severe eczema for about 3 months. I'm now seriously depressed.

I think this ties in to a former trauma. I almost lost ds #1 to infant botulism. It was extremely traumatic, and I've not dealt well with kid's illnesses well ever since. This last bout of stress has had me completely nuts with anxiety attacks, constant crying, and depression.

Has anyone here been treated for this type of thing? Does counseling work, or is there something better? I won't take drugs. My whole family is on anti-anxiety or depression medication, and I don't want to take that route. I know something like homeopathy could help, but I don't have the money right now to treat myself with something that insurance won't pay for. The only option I have is whatever counselor or shrink my pcp doc will refer me to. I just want to know if anyone else has had success with that.

[lauraess]

Myjo, I think therapy is a good route for you to talk thru things. And also one thing i would advise is to search out Reiki in your area. A lot of times you can get free Reiki from those studying and even learn a lot to practice and share with others.
Im a yoga teacher as well as someone who deals with anxiety and bipolar tendencies. I've gone the route of natural medicine, Accupuncture, diet and for me It was not enough. but for some It can be. so, I strongly encourage deep breathing and yoga-- which i know can seem impossible with little ones around but incorporating just a few minutes here and there can actuallly work and it's something you can learn to become better at and access easier during your day. It may seem silly and too simple to make a difference but breathing is essential and really really can affect your mind, emotions and spirit profoundly.
One thing that a lot of people turn to is Bach flower essences. The 'tincutre' can be specific to your needs, as in: impatiens for patience ( the most obvious that i can remember, lol), And walnut for strength- i think. There is a book that helps where you go to buy, usually in the whole food or natural store.
Get exercise each day for depression. another simple but important one.
As far as counseling in general i think it is good to remember you will get some good counselors and some bad but dont hesitate to find the right one.
This may be a great opportunity to really grow!
good luck.
~L

[myjo]

Thank you, you reminded me of one of the ways I coped with my pregnancy. I did use the Bach remedies, and they really helped. I will order some more, as I'm out of some of the key ones. I haven't thought to use relaxation techniques or deep breathing lately, but I've done it in the past. Good ideas. I think I'll see about some counseling too. This problem is ruining my life and health.

[foreverinbluejeans]

I have had problems with generalized anxiety off and on throughout my life and have recently done some reading about treatment. Counseling will probably only be helpful if you get the right counselor for you. What is probably safest is relaxation training, breath work, or yoga - these will do no harm.

You may be having a normal (for you) reaction to your baby being sick. Once your baby starts doing better you may also do better. It can help to think of anxiety as being self-limiting.

Repeated infections and eczma in a breastfed baby are not normal and may be warning signs of primary immune deficiency. All three of my children have immune deficiencies and understanding what the problem is has helped me deal with their medical issues. For the warning signs of immune deficiencies, go to www.jmfworld.com

[myjo]

Thanks, I checked out the link. Once I started reading, I realized that ds and possibly his brother as well should be tested. Immediate panic attack. Hopefully rescue remedy will help. I feel horrid now, but maybe know about this will in some way help us.

[lauren]

For panic and past trauma (especiallly single incident) check out EMDR (eye movement desensitization reprocessing). It can really help resolve trauma. It worked for me after my ds almost drowned in swimming pool with me about 20 feet away. It basically helps the right and left brain communicate more rationally with one another about the reality of the "here and now."

[myjo]

My dad was cured of his pts with EMDR. He really wants me to try it, but it might be very difficult to get insurance to pay, and we're already putting out a lot of money for ds' treatment right now. Maybe in the future.

[lauraess]

Myjo: are you okay? Wanted you to know we are here
I hope you are talking with who ever you can irl and getting support.
If you are given tools to find the answers look at them with appreciation and try hard to remember it will be okay. Im sorry if that sounds dumb, I want to help but am at a loss. Being anxious a lot is not a nice trip -- i know.. Deep breaths, suplements, even some stress tea( celestial seasons makes a nice one) Be good to yourself mama.
~L

[The Duchess]

Myjo . My youngest DD was diagnosed with a very serious blood/immune disease at 8 months and she has just completed a year of chemotherapy. She is in complete remission. After a few months of mutiple hospitalizations and a very, very ill child who at the time was not going into remission I realized that I needed to see a therapist. For me, this was due to the fact that all the truma we were experiencing was plugging into many major losses in my life that I had never worked thru.

For me therapy has been fantastic. I found a wonderful woman and I still see her for an hour a week. I am not on any kind of drugs.

For me, this experience has brought me to a point where I recognized that I have not been meeting my own needs and now is the time to do it and really find out who I am and what I want and need. I now exercise regularly, which has been a tremendous stress reliever. Just knowing I have a place to talk about anything I want - no matter how major or minor has helped me get in touch with what I really feel and what I want to do about it.

I would definitely search for the right person, you can always do an initial meet and greet until you find the right match.

Don't mean to make this thread about me, just wanted to describe a similar experience. This may well be the universe telling you its *time*, not to put your own needs last anymore.

Much love and peaceful thoughts to you mama xxx

[philomom]

Short term therapy has helped me through a couple of rough patches in my life.

I experienced a post traumatic stress thing after giving birth to a stillborn son, alone. I won't print the details here but it was rough to take. Drugs hate me.(terrible side effects) I avoid them like the plague now.

I'm healthy and whole now and my kids aren't messed up so I must be doing alright.

Good luck to you.

[myjo]

Thank you so much for the support! I called my sil who lives next door yesterday during a panic attack, and she came over and helped me through it. The rescue remedy helped too.

Now that the panic is over, ironically I feel more in control knowing there is a possibly a name for the problems ds is having, and that there is a treatment. I have been doing lots of research on immune deficiency, and that always makes me feel better. I am obsessing though, and I know that's no healthy.

I will look for a good counselor. I don't think I can continue dealing with this stress without professional help.

The Duchess and philomom, it's nice to know that others have come through stuff like this and survived. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

[Danielsmom]

Hi mama (who posted the original post),
Just wondering how you are doing right now. I was going to suggest cognitive therapy (it's examining how thoughts can lead to anxious feelings).
I am reading about it in the Anxiety and Phobia Disorders workbook.

Also, as others suggested, perhaps the deep relaxation/breathing exercises would help.
Hugs to you.

[myjo]

Hello! I'm doing some better, although I had some trouble last night and today. Nightmares about kids dying, stuff like that. Anyway, I haven't got any professional help yet, but I found some things that help take the edge off.

The Bach flower essense Red Chestnut, and the Rescue remedy help. And I recently started to learn a technique called EFT(emotional freedom technique). It helps as well.

Thanks for inquiring!

[moneca]

Myjo
I slipped into a serious depression and anxiety after months of dd vomiting and 9 docs and all their tests not having any answers plus moving and dh not finding work. I was determined not to go on any meds, but I let it go too long and couldn't get out of bed so had to go on zoloft and clonapen. I'm weaning off the clonapen for anxiety now and my naturopath had me start taking ignatia 30c twice daily (three pellets each time). 5HTP is a natural precursor to seratonin that you can also get at your health food store. I started this way too late, but it works well for some people I know and is pretty cheap. Being a mom to sick kiddos is so stressful. I hope you can find some natural things to help and not have to go the med route.

[myjo]

Moneca, I took Ignatia when I was pregnant for anxiety/depression. It was one 1m dose I believe. It helped amazingly well for about 1 month. Then I needed another dose, but I wasn't sure which remedy to go to at that point. Be careful with mechanically repeating doses of homeopathic remedies. Eventually it can catch up with you and cause a bad aggravation. It's better to watch and wait until you really need another dose.

I also took seraphos, which helped immensely to keep me sane. I need to get some more actually.

I hope things get better for you soon!! I've been following your posts about your dd and I really feel for you. It can really send you over the edge. (((hugs)))

[hippiemom]

Months of repeated doctor visits/troubles with my son's first year of asthma did it for me! And I too share your aversion to drug use for this. I climbed out of the pit of anxiety with some very old fashioned techniques: the first, the essential, was daily exercise outside, just go out and walk a couple of miles, or even one. Just do it regularly. I put a lot of miles on my carriage, and mowed the lawn with a push mower every weekend. Silly right? I ate lots of lean protein, fresh fruits and veggies, organic yogurt, and water. I lived on these things, just cleared out all crap. THEN i also set aside regular time every week for just me. No kids. Get together with adults, take a fun class (I take guitar lessons), anything. Reconnect with the adult world and yourSelf. It is a luxury when raising small kids.

[myjo]

Very wise! I think too many people ignore the basics (excercise, fresh air, sun, good food, good company) and move strait to supplements or drugs. Even if you have to treat your problem medically, the treatment will be greatly enhanced by using the common sense measures described above.