If you've had depression/PPD

If you've had depression/PPD, how did you overcome it?

At the moment im feeling much better (im on meds) but a part of me wonders if im going to be on anti depressants for the rest of my life or if i'll be able to cope without them ever again.

What helped you? & is it an ongoing struggle?

The meds didn't help so I quit taking them. Some days are better thn others but its a struggle. I have one very close friend and a very supportive husband who constantly push me to stay positive and recognize my signs of going down so they can talk to me before it gets to bad.

Quoting Jennybananna:" The meds didn't help so I quit taking them. Some days are better thn others but its a struggle. I have ... [snip!] ... who constantly push me to stay positive and recognize my signs of going down so they can talk to me before it gets to bad."

Do you just have to stay 'aware' of yourself and try to snap out of it?

With me its PPD .. mainly being frustrated at the kids, not feeling maternal, wanting to get away.. i didn't want to be a Mum some days and wished i could get in the car and leave for a few hours.

Now im enjoying them, i only have the odd moment where i'll hand DH our baby and take a breather while he screams.. but over all im coping now, where as i wasnt before.

Im not against the meds at all.. but i just wonder if i'll ever be back to my old self without them.. KWIM?

I had PPD after LO. He's 4 months old now. I took the meds for about a month along with my birth control and then I just stopped taking the antidepressants. I felt so much better, life was still stressful but I was able to see the brighter side and not just the dark tunnel.

It will get better soon but it is a rough road! If you're not feeling any better after being on meds for 2 weeks I would call your OB and let them know, they'll change your dose or change the med. If that doesn't work get in to see a counselor and have someone who you could talk to and open up with. Best of luck! .

Mine is depression and ppd so I totally get it. I do have stay aware of my feelings and having a support system is key. My husband gives me breaks when I need them. For me getting out of the house helps snap me out of it usually. Just packing our week with activities so I don't sit around and dwell on it.

I had it after my youngest boy, the meds didn't help so I stopped taking them and just paid extra attention to what I was thinking and feeling. I treated it like a bad acid trip basically lol if I was too sad or angry I would tell myself that it would stop if I just calmed down and would just talk myself out of the sadness/anger until I was back to confident again. I had to do it less and less and now I don't cry over every little thing and only get angry when there's a real reason to be.

I think you just need to convince yourself that it will all be ok and eventually you wont need to convince yourself any more. Especially knowing and understanding that you have PPD, when you feel down you tell yourself that you know you have PPD and what you are feeling is because of that, not because you really want to leave or aren't maternal or whatever reason and just keep it in your head that your emotions are out of whack and no matter how you think you feel, you are a good mom and want to be with them.

They can wean you off anti depressants once you feel and you dr feels your ready. But don't beat your self up for needing them. Your doing the best thing for yourself. There are natural things you can do as well to help with depression. Exercise is a big one.

I've been on and off anti depressants a few times.
I don't feel like I'm crazy or that I will need them forever. (Not currently on them)
If you believe in depression, it's a chemical imbalance that is trigged by something that happens in your life.
You have to believe you will feel better at some point, but give the medication a few months at least.
It's okay to not be okay, to ask for help, to struggle just as it is to succeed.
I would also recommend seeing someone to talk about how your feeling.