percival: (Default)
[personal profile] percival
Deep sigh - this is public. I've been to the GP, and diagnosed with post natal depression (PND). I saw somebody I trust and who has seen me through two pregnancies. Having prepared an extremely thorough history certainly helped get me through the appointment; I was overcome and unable to speak at first. It seems that I'm doing all the right self-help things (exercise, eating better, building a support circle of friends including DH who help, sleep, rest, self-directed cognitive therapy workbooks that come NHS recommended). The PND has been waxing and waning ever since DS was born. So far, I've had three flare-ups, each worse than the last. I am now getting additional help to break the cycle. I'm on the lowest possible entry dose of fluoxetine now, and have been referred for a psych assessment. Next review is in four weeks, again with the GP. The lovely [livejournal.com profile] actionreplay assures me that our local Mental Health services are excellent, but this being the NHS, there's a longish wait involved until we get to the actual treatment. I cannot express how grateful I am to her for suggesting I go see a doctor.

I am very relieved and happy. I feel a proper safety net below me. And right now at this very moment, I cannot imagine that I ever thought it was ok to leave my children motherless.

(for non-UK folks: NHS - national health service AKA socialised medicine; GP - general practitioner aka primary care physician. Somewhat of a scarce resource in the US; around here, everybody has one and they are the main gatekeepers to more specialised care. There's a very high awareness of PND here in the UK.)

Date: 2009-04-15 09:27 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] actionreplay.livejournal.com
Iknow how hard it is to seek help. Well done. *hugs*.

Date: 2009-04-15 10:20 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] miriammoules.livejournal.com
I agree with this!

Date: 2009-04-15 09:30 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] soupytwist.livejournal.com
Oh, lovely! I'm sorry, and I'm really glad you've got some help; that is really tough, even when you have people around to tell you it isn't just you somehow having failed. *hug*

Date: 2009-04-15 09:48 pm (UTC)
ext_22745: (Default)
From: [identity profile] brightfame.livejournal.com
I'm glad the safety net is in place. Hang in there and continue to improve.

Date: 2009-04-15 10:04 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] in-the-blue.livejournal.com
♥ ♥ ♥

That I am very relieved and happy? That's the first leap into feeling like that more often than not. I'm so glad for you.

Date: 2009-04-15 10:43 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] katinka31.livejournal.com
Giant hugs to you -- I'm so glad you're looking out for yourself and finding the help you need. :)

Date: 2009-04-15 10:58 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] calanthe-b.livejournal.com
I'm sorry about the PND, but very glad to hear that you have such a great support network and such a good medical safety net. ~hugs you~

Date: 2009-04-16 12:18 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ljrags.livejournal.com
I know how hard that appointment is! HUGS and it does get better with support and help!

Date: 2009-04-16 12:24 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] helenllama.livejournal.com
shouldn't be a too long wait. my two appts came in within 8 weeks and they start some treatments straight away.

Date: 2009-04-16 02:21 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] annearchy.livejournal.com
I'm sorry about the PND, but glad you're able to get the help you need. I wish we had socialised medicine in the United States; our health care "system" is ridiculously arcane and complicated, and at least 47 million people have fallen through the cracks. Anyway, sometimes people do need pharmacological help; I'm about to start taking paroxetene myself, also the lowest possible dose. Good luck :)

Date: 2009-04-16 02:40 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mincot.livejournal.com
Good for you. I'm so glad you saw someone! I fight depression generally and it can really mess up your thinking-I am SO glad you've got your safety net! ((((((((((((((You))))))))))))))))

Date: 2009-04-16 06:50 am (UTC)
ext_54943: (Default)
From: [identity profile] shellebelle93.livejournal.com
I'm glad you're getting help for that. *hugs* Glad to hear that GP is someone you trust, as well. That's important.

Date: 2009-04-16 09:01 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] hilarityallen.livejournal.com
Good luck, and I hope the drug is the right one for you.

Date: 2009-04-16 09:57 am (UTC)

Date: 2009-04-16 12:31 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] erised1810.livejournal.com
wow...gulp.whatever you needto have us hhelp ride this-one out. {hugs}

Date: 2009-04-16 08:06 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] cynthia-black.livejournal.com
*big hugs*

I'm glad you've got the wheels in motion to get help and treatment.

*hugs*

Date: 2009-04-17 07:27 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] piperx.livejournal.com
I am very relieved and happy. I feel a proper safety net below me. And right now at this very moment, I cannot imagine that I ever thought it was ok to leave my children motherless.

Wonderful! I'm so happy to read this. *HUGS* I wish I was there to give you a hug in person. :)
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