Maybe I belong here, too?

[QueeTheBean]

I've battled depression on and off since I was in college (about 15 years ago--oh my). I've tried anti-depressants with little success until I actually had tremendous success with Zoloft. I went off it when ttc with #1 son in 1997 and have been pretty stable since then. DH lost his job in 3/2001 and it was 6 months before he got a new job. In the meantime, I got pg with #2 son. Pregnancy was rough at first, then great, but so stressful with the job thing & DH and I were not communicating. Now ds#2 is almost one and I am starting to think maybe the depression is back (or maybe anxiety or a combo). I took that self-assessment thing and got a really high score.

Here is the deal, though. I can't even face trying to make an appointment with someone. The red tape of it all and trying to find time to go--I am a SAHM of 2 and breastfeeding at least 5x a day, to boot. When would I ever be able to go?

Also, and this may seem dumb to some, I hate to have the "black mark" on my health record--I've been "clean" so to speak, for over 5 years and I hate to have it affect my insurance rating again--we were denied the best life insurance coverage last year, and this was surely the reason.

Sorry to ramble--not even sure what I am looking for here, but just wanted to get these thoughts out.

Thanks

[ekblad9]

I was so scared to go to the dr. that I put it off for six years. I went today and it was so easy! I took the baby with me and left the others with my dad. The doc gave me a script for Prozak and while it won't take effect for weeks I feel better already just knowing I took that first step. If the Zoloft worked for you before I say go for it. I wasted so much time with my family b/c I was too afraid of the stigma.

Good luck!

[mama2girls]

I was nervous to see a psychiatrist instead of my family dr, too but felt I needed to go to a specialist. I didn't think Paxil was working anymore and wanted a recommendation on either upping the dose or switching meds. I had to have lots of pep talks from jbcjmom before she convinced me to see her pdoc. And he's great. And he's got advice on meds to take while bfing (which I refuse to stop!!) And now I'm glad I did, but that first phone call is a killer.

I ended up going late in the afternoon (4) and dh came home from work to stay with the girls. I would have taken them if I had to (LOL--see how stressed I am, just look at what these two can get in to!), but luckily it worked out with both to not need me for an hour.

I'm almost fully switched to Zoloft (Paxil withdrawl is a killer) and feeling better. My ins. won't cover it-we had to have my ppd as an exclusion when we go the new policy a year and a half ago. That part stinks, but we decided that mental health and happiness is worth every penny.

I hope you can find happiness!

[StandswithStrength]

It took me 15 months after baby #2 to finally admit I needed some help. I had been struggling with depression off/on since baby #1. Just remember that to be the best mommy you can, you need to be mentally healthy yourself. Do it for your kids if that's what it takes to get you to the dr. Your babies want to have you healthy and happy. Getting on medicine was the best thing I ever did for my kids.