Assalamualaikum Dr
I have a 2 year old baby boy and i’m expecting another one in May 2009. After giving birth to my first baby i suffered post natal depression.I didn’t realise that I had it at the time, all I thought was i was feeling down. It was a suicidal depression and it was scary. Now my question is, how to avoid it. Will it happen again? How to make my husband understand that I need his support in this matter. He thinks I made it up. Please help..
Thank you.
W’salam.
Despite your sadness and confusion, I want to raise two good things here:-First, it is good that you are aware of the symptoms and condition of post-natal depression.Those who are aware usually better able to manage the symptoms especially with professional guidance.
However, I hope you have consulted the professional such as medical doctors or psychiatrist in order to label yourself of having PND. If you have done so, I know it is hard to believe and to live with it, but one thing I can re-assure you is PND has absolute ways to manage it.
Second, congratulations for your expecting newborn despite all the tough and hardiness time you had in previous and at the moment.
So,back to your questions. In order to avoid it, firstly you can work from your inner thoughts and feelings first. If you do have lots of negative thought about the pregnancy, about managing the future with two little kids, about your husband etc, try as much as possible to list out the opposite thoughts for each of the negative thought by replacing to rational thoughts.
For example, if there is a thought of “I know I will be sad again and again, no matter how much I try” you may want to replace with “I know I may be will be sad, but I can try out many new things (such as do A or do B), at least I try rather than put my frustration up front and end up do nothing”.
Second, manage your stress level, balance your workload, light excercise and enough rest, enjoy your pregnancy time with pleasure activities that can help you to control your mood. It may be difficult in the beginning, but you will feel okay once you start. Make sure you take all required supplement for your health and your baby. Best thing to have somebedoy to confide with such your sister, mother, best friends when you feel down. Try as much as possible to talk to somebody or to do things that you know will make you overstress. The more you things about your negative mood, the more you feel tight about it. So think more about the solution (What else can I do?) and start doing it!
To answer whether the symptoms will be back again, it is all depends what you have done in managing the symptoms. If you consult the professional, the doctor can help your husband to understand that the PND does exist and it is not an enjoyable thing to make it up. Google PND in internet and you will find many support group talking about things you experience. Myself have wrote something on PND in last year issue if you may want to check it out.Take care.
Firdaus
