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From the lens Through hell and back again, my journey through post-natal depression.

  • healthylivingideas Jan 7, 2012 @ 7:25 pm | delete
    Thank you for sharing your story. I'm glad you found a solution, even if it does mean being on antidepressants permanently
  • Lucy H Oct 11, 2011 @ 5:06 am | delete
    My continued hope is that your story will contribute to change in the birthing process in hospitals.
    No one should have to endure what you went through at the hands of these supposed "caregivers". Thank you for your courage in speaking out and for advocating for change.
  • jess Oct 8, 2011 @ 3:03 am | delete
    thank you for sharing this. thank you for writing what was going through your head, not just what you were going through.
  • sponias Sep 18, 2011 @ 10:30 am | delete
    I understand how you feel. I suffered from post-natal depression when I was a young mother. It was exactly at that time that I desperately looked for psychotherapy. I hope that your difficult experience leading with post-natal depression helped you in many ways, the same way it helped me. Now you can give lessons and help others.
  • AddaptAbilities May 17, 2011 @ 6:12 pm | delete
    A great lens on post-partum depression and birth trauma. Thanks for sharing your story, and for raising awareness about the ways in which hospital practices can traumatize mothers. Blessed!
  • OrganicMom247 Apr 13, 2011 @ 4:46 pm | delete
    What an amazing story, thank you for sharing it with all of us. Congrats on the Purple Star.
  • grannysage Jan 26, 2011 @ 1:48 pm | delete
    I had a long message of support written but it got lost when my computer froze. If it went through, keep that one. I just wanted to commend you for telling this story that will help so many others. I am also glad you had support from your family. Blessed and featured on Granny's FairyAngel Blessings lens.
  • BalanceByDesign Jan 23, 2011 @ 6:04 am | delete
    Informative and heartfelt sharing of a deeply personal topic. Unbelievable that you would be expected to wait so long for therapy. It's a good thing you were able to seek medical help outside of the government system. Thank you for sharing.
  • adhd-bipolar-depression Jan 21, 2011 @ 11:37 pm | delete
    My Mother also suffered from Post Natal Depression. Thank you for providing this insight into it!
  • tdpierceall2002 Dec 20, 2010 @ 1:06 pm | delete
    I went through PPD too. Six years later and I'm just now off the meds. I'm worried about spiralling back into depression. I'm sorry to hear your experience was less than positive. Thank you for sharing what you went through!
  • stargazer00 Dec 1, 2010 @ 11:03 am | delete
    This is more common than people realize. This is a very helpful lens for those not knowing where to turn.
  • ajgodinho Oct 3, 2010 @ 12:03 am | delete
    Wow, thanks for sharing this very personal story and I'm glad and thankful to the Lord to see you come out of it. I can't imagine what it must have been. I'm sure this lens will help many in similar situations. All the best to you and everyone else who goes through such an experience. Blessings!
  • eclecticeducation Oct 2, 2010 @ 6:25 pm | delete
    Nan, thank you for sharing your story. I am appalled at how you were treated. I hope someday you can get completely over it, but it's understandable that it was so traumatic for you, it would be anyone. I lost a baby to miscarriage (when I was 20 weeks along) almost 20 years ago. I went through a severe depression that lasted for 2 years afterward. I too, had anniversary depression that would come on every year around the time that I lost him and also when his birthday would have been. That lasted for years, then one year, I realized I hadn't gotten depressed that year. Then the next year, the same thing. I no longer suffer from depression on the anniversaries. I still get sad when I think about it, but it's more of a memory sadness and not a depression. I truly pray and hope that one of these days, you will have the same experience, that you will be able to past the date without getting depressed. You have been in my heart the last several days and I have been praying for you. Please take care of yourself. :) Oh, and I left this lens a Squid Angel blessing. It definitely deserves it.
  • Jenn Sep 5, 2010 @ 3:17 pm | delete
    so hopeful for me as I am in depression right now ...for almost 10months now...long story after having baby#3 my little girl I have been suffering with PPD due to Anxiety ..tried so many SSRI none have helpred...finally Ihave found an amazing Dr. and he will start me on a whole new treatment he had been around for over 4oplus years I trust him but had to change Psyciatrist and Psychotherapist to find 2 that make it their passion to help...so this week I start something new heres praying !!!!Its a med. (Lamictal) very stong and I have heard amazing results (better the anssri) for Depression ..I know there is a way out I just want to finally be my turn for the way out!!!
  • NanLT Sep 5, 2010 @ 3:34 pm | delete
    Jenn - I'm glad you found your way here. Please, if you ever need someone to talk to, message me using the contact me button on my profile page. Just click my picture up top.
    If you've not found it yet, have a read of Crystal's blog on PPD over at "We Aren't Perfect". She did a section last month called "Post Partum Confessions". Mine is one of the stories there.

    Medication combined with therapy is the best form of treatment I think. Talking and telling your story will help. I'm willing to listen.
  • Li-Li-ThePinkBookworm Aug 22, 2010 @ 6:26 pm | delete
    Very cool. I hope that you will continue to heal and eventually be able to leave those drugs(and voices) behind.

    Like

    Li Li
  • whitemoss Aug 11, 2010 @ 8:02 am | delete
    A very moving lens- hopefully it might help someothers who think they are alone.
  • Rebecca Aug 9, 2010 @ 1:48 am | delete
    Thank you for sharing your journey and what you went to. You are amazing with sharing your story so that other women may be able to say they need help. I have made up my own site about pnd. Its www.pnd-wedorecover.com. It is in the beginning stages.
  • vallain Jul 26, 2010 @ 7:09 pm | delete
    What a frightening experience. I'm glad the cognitive therapy helped so much. I found it really effective when I went through my divorce.
  • OhMe Jul 12, 2010 @ 12:36 pm | delete
    Thank you for sharing your story. I am sure it will benefit many readers who have experienced much the same thing.
  • macmcrae Jun 29, 2010 @ 10:21 am | delete
    Nan, this is an awesome lens, there's so much depth and emotion in your words. Thank you for sharing something that must have been so horrible to endure.
    I love the thought of the Hot Chocolate breaks, too.
  • Kellie Woolf May 5, 2010 @ 10:30 am | delete
    I really admire your courage in sharing the intimacies of your journey. I know I can relate to all of it and consider myself blessed having read your words. Thank you for sharing your heart and talent.
  • lollyj Apr 26, 2010 @ 3:45 pm | delete
    I've visited this lens before but just had to come back and congratulate you on the purple star.
    Congrats!!
  • Norma_Budden Apr 23, 2010 @ 9:15 pm | delete
    I think you'll want to visit: http://www.squidoo.com/luvmyludwigs-purple-stars and I'd be delighted if you submitted your purple star lenses to my purple star series. You can find out further details here: http://www.squidoo.com/purple-star-awards
  • jptanabe Apr 23, 2010 @ 9:21 am | delete
    Thank you for sharing so honestly this difficult story. And I'm so glad that that you have made it through to some level of peace. And I love your "hot chocolate breaks" - what a perfect idea!
  • BevsPaper Apr 23, 2010 @ 9:08 am | delete
    Just came back to revisit this wonderfully informative lens about postpartum depression and to congratulate you on the well deserved Purple Star.
  • rms Apr 22, 2010 @ 6:20 pm | delete
    Your Purple Star has been awarded by our Purple Star Queen of the week, luvmyludwig.
  • Sep 27, 2009 @ 12:56 am | delete
    I had postpartum depression with my first, and then I believe I had a quiet 'break' in my mental health due to chronic sleep deprivation with my third child. Indeed it was nothing short of hell. I am glad you found your way out. 5*
  • NanLT Aug 5, 2009 @ 2:47 pm | in reply to amy | delete
    Amy,
    I am so glad that you were able to get help for yourself. I think it is so very important through all of this is to know that we are not alone.

    Another thing I have learned through all I have been through. Your pain and your depression is your own. Don't compare it with someone else's. It is heartbreaking and difficult for you where ever you are at.

    I found myself doing that a lot. Oh, I'm not as bad as her so I'm not that depressed. I'm not doing X so I must just be imagining things. And, unfortunately, because I was taking care of my ons and providing for their basic needs, even the doctors were somewhat fooled into thinking I wasn't as bad as I was. Until my husband set them straight.

    I too would like to one day not have to be on medication any more. Unfortunately, that doesn't look likely.
  • amy Aug 5, 2009 @ 2:33 pm | delete
    I am currently suffering with PND after my 4th baby, nothing like the hellish times you have delt with but enough that i got help and took myself to my GP.

    Mine seems to come from pressure from me, trying to do everything and failing and then feeling guilty for not being a perfect mum. Stress from being a parent and then feeling bad that i let myself become stressed, which leads to me hating myself and then feeling down and then not wanting to live anymore.

    I have been been on tablets and i am now feeling much better also learning to ask for help not just carrying on in auto pilot.

    I hope you continue to get better and I am currently trying to stop my tablets because i don't want to take them anymore. xx
  • Hotchachonia May 27, 2009 @ 9:57 am | delete
    Painful story with a lot of good information. It is tragic that such a beautiful life event as birth can trigger such mental anguish. I applaud you for your progress and wish you continued improvement.

    Thanks for visiting my lens /wifeofdepression and your kind words.
  • Heather426 May 9, 2009 @ 3:17 pm | delete
    What a brave story...well done. So sorry you had to live through it.
  • inkserotica May 5, 2009 @ 3:29 am | delete
    Because of my history with depression, I was considered at risk for Post natal but it didn't happen though considering my traumatic births I'm surprised! You've told a brave story here and I admire you for that. Hope things continue to improve for you. 5*
  • lollyj Apr 23, 2009 @ 6:31 pm | delete
    What a harrowing struggle. Thank you so much for this lens and the helpful information you've provided for others. 5 and fave
  • herbie66 Apr 18, 2009 @ 12:29 pm | delete
    Welcome to the 'Pregnancy and Baby' Group
    ( http://www.squidoo.com/groups/pregnancy-baby )
  • joshsmom Mar 18, 2009 @ 6:26 pm | delete
    This is a very personal lens. Thank you for sharing your painful journey.
  • akkortleven Mar 18, 2009 @ 12:07 pm | delete
    Hi, my name is Anli. I'm a writer looking to get in contact with people who have any type of mental illness for an article I'm writing for a mental health magazine. The article's theme is medication and explores individuals' choices of whether or not they choose to allow themselves to be administered medication to help them cope with the day to day struggles of having a mental illness. At of the moment, I'm only interested in taking answers from individuals who currently reside in the UK. I'm interested in the views of people who take medication and those who don't. If you're interested, you can find the questionnaires at these web addresses:

    Medicated questionnaire: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB228WEJEAVB5

    Unmedicated Questionnaire: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB228WEKWAW8F

    For any other information, questions or if you'd like me to send you the questionnaires via e-mail, please don't hesitate to contact me at: akkortleven@yahoo.co.uk. Thanks in advance.
  • Lucy Mar 17, 2009 @ 9:21 am | delete
    Sharing your story is going to help lots of families. You are a gifted healer in so many ways. I'm glad you were able to find the support you needed to heal yourself and then pass on that gift to others.
  • tdove Feb 10, 2009 @ 12:01 am | delete
    Thanks for joining G Rated Lense Factory!
  • Drea Feb 8, 2009 @ 6:37 pm | delete
    I only know the pain of trying so hard *to* have a baby, and the devastation of "no" over and over again. What I can say is that I love you, Nan. I've heard and been here as much as I could for you, and I am so incredibly thankful that you've come through to the other side of the worst of this. You matter, my friend. Thank you for sharing, and hopefully your experience will help others. Maybe it will encourage me to post the 'pregnancy diary' (which never resulted in one) that I kept for several years. We need to know that we are not alone.
  • aj2008 Feb 8, 2009 @ 12:13 pm | delete
    Nan - I was here and oh how I feel for you. I had post natal depression with my third baby - the problem being that we did not realise and then I got pregnant again. PND while pregnant - not good! I am lucky, I am OK now but it was a homeopathic Doctor and finally discovering the therapy of writing (thanks Squidoo!) that has made me completely well. I wish you well Nan and hope that you make a full recovery. No one who has not been through it can understand what it is like.

by

NanLT

Welcome to my world. I am a mother, a wife, a healer, a witch. All are equally important in my life.

In 2004, after my youngest son was born I deve... more »

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