Discovery Home & Health

I am 39 and have suffered with 'anxiety/post natal depression' for years (13) and have been on and off medication (mainly prozac)

It was felt by my GP wise to keep me on prozac during my last pregnancy until 3 months prior to delivery when they stopped the medication. 7 - 10 days after the birth I was back on it. That was two and a half years ago. I have been on and off this since then.

Now pregnant with my forth (miracle - considering I was told I had stopped ovulating which is why I had fertility treatment for the last) Although now on a different drug, I have been advised to increase it to the maximum (as I reported increased bouts of crying and mood swings - hoping it was just the hormones) and have been referred to the Perinatal Mental Health Service. (First time I have ever heard of this and just 'Mental Health' scares me) Has anyone else had experience of this?

I worried they're going to cart me off now!!
But then that's the 'depression' for you - making anxieties worse than they need be!! Ho Hum!!

I hope someone can give me some reassuring advice as THE doctor is coming to see me on Monday. Ah, I just had a reassuring thought - if they were going to cart me away - they'd have done it before now!!

All the same, because I've not heard of it before I am worried - can you put my mind at rest please?

Thanks xx

Hi, Im 32 and have had depression on and off for 7yrs. Im currently on happy pills since the birth of my son in December. The ironic thing is that i also work within the mental health service.
Ive not heard of Perinatal Mental Health service but in Dec had to use our local mental health home treatment team. I cant thank them enough for the help that they gave me at my lowest point. Ive also used a psychologist in the past. For me i find talking helps but each to there own lol.
I dont think they will cart you off but i do know how u feel about the anxieties of it all.
I wish u well for Monday and let me know how u get on with it all.
Take care Sharon

HI
I first suffered depression after the birth of my son 15 years ago, then again with my daughter 13 years ago, had happy pills both times for 6 months, then got on with life, five years ago things seemed to be going downhill, moved house, bad car crash, father died and unhappy in my job, i felt like i couldn't take much more, then my husband decided to leave, i ended up having what they called 'brain overload' i refer to it as 'shot to pieces' i saw shrinks and psycologists for a year and a half, the talking was a great help and i still believe that is what helped me overcome it all, its amazing how much baggage we carry around every day without realising.the Mental Health team are great and the last thing they want to do is cart you off, although i thought they might me. Good luck with it all i wish i had perinatal care with my daughter as it might have helped me rather than the pills. Nicky