HV and CPN

[Becca]

Can anyone give me some advice.
I have recently had a visit from HV at my request, I wanted to speak to her about PND.
When I explained my problems to her relating back to my early teens about depression, then the problems after having my son, she seemed to suggest that I was not actually sufering from PND, "just depression" (althought they are one in the same I guess) I mentioned this website (which has been my life line since Dec 03) and her reply indicating to me that she thought I had just grabbed on to others experiences and made them my own! I dont know if this makes sense. I did try to explain that after realising that I had depression in Nov 01 I was able to track it back as far as my early teens (this had gone untreated as I did not know at the time it was depression) the problems I have had with PND are so alike the problems others on this site have had, infact at times reading others stories was like reading about myself, the anxiety, black thoughts (especially towards my son) fear that I would hurt him, feeling empty, then crying for no reason, I could go on forever. I was not told by the GP that it was PND, she said it was depression (this was Nov 01, never been to see her since with regards to depression, still on Anti d's now) but in a bid to understand this horrific illness, and a need to prove to myself that I was not an evil wicked monster, I searched the internet and found this site, It has made a huge impact on my life since, and reading others stories made think that it was PND, the HV has now made me doubt this, she has reffered me to CPN (which I feel is a step in the right direction) Please can some one help me out on this, is depression and PND the same thing, I need to know what my problem is....

Love
Becca xxx

[Lainey]

Hi Becca

So sorry to hear you are feeling low. It really does sound like you are suffering from PND. Has your health visitor asked you to fill out a questionnaire. (I think it is called something like 'The Edinburgh Test?') You are often asked to complete it if they think you may be suffering from PND. I was never given this test, due to my HV being too busy! and so was diagonsed later, and so suffered for much longer on my own!

I sometimes wonder about HV's - she really should be listening to what you are saying and not just assuming she knows better than you. Only you know how you really feel and your symptons sound very familiar to the ones I had.

I believe PND is a different sort of illness to depression, but this could be all the more reason for you to suffer PND as you are more vulnerable.

Stick to your guns lovey and don't let your HV make you doubt your feelings. See your GP and the CPN, get all the help you can get - you are very important and the sooner you get support the quicker you will start to get better.

Take care Becca

Love

Elaine
x

[st]

I agree with Elaine. My HV also told me that after having a baby, you are a lot more vunerable to PND if you have had problems in the past.

I might as well tell you all as you don't know me and you're not looking at me but I've been r***d - I CAN'T EVEN WRITE IT DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm sure you can guess. Not only did it happen once, it happened 3 EFFING TIMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry, enough about me........ Anyway, the HV said it makes you think about previous problems.

For example, if you'd had problems with your parents, you look at yourself and worry about making the same mistakes. Giving birth also opens up all sorts of sexual connotations and any fears you have had are brought into a new light and reborn all over again!

My HV is very supportive but I previously met another one who was completely eccentric and was more interested in a cat!!!!!!!

If you don't feel you're getting any support from your HV, bypass her and go to your GP - if you still feel like you're not being heard, ask to see another doctor.

Also, Elaine is right, it's called the Edinburgh test and you can ask yourself online -

www.psychdirect.com/women/perinatal.htm

I understand midwives etc are now being educated to look for signs of PND during pregnancy?

[eloise]

Hi Becca,

I'm sorry to hear you are feeling so down and not getting the right support that you need from your HV.

I am the same as you, I was depressed in my early teens, due to bad family problems and being sexually molested by a close friend of the family. I couldn't cope to well with it all and have the physical and mental scars to prove it.

I mentioned to my midwife a couple of weeks before I gave birth that I had been depressed before and she said that she would keep a close eye on me afterwards. I told her because I'd heard that if you've had depression before you have a slightly higher risk of PND.

I agree with Elaine and st, you do sound as though you have PND and I think it would be wise for you to go and see your GP as they may offer more help and support.

I hope this helps and that you feel better soon.

take care
eloise

[Sharon]

Becca, I also had depression in my teens, and was diagnosed while at uni. I read that it makes you predisposed to PND somewhere. I finally managed to get some Cognitive Behavioural Therapy through my GP, and it has helped with the negative thoughts. I can spot them before they really worm into my brain. Hopefully the CPN will help. I found mine useful. Good luck

[Rebecca]

Thankyou Sharon, Eloise, st & Elaine,
I am glad to hear your response to this.
I also heard that if you had previously suffered depression then you would be a higher risk of PND.
Dont get me wrong, the HV was very nice, but I felt that she was not taking on board anything that I had said to her about the problems that I had ben having (which to me suggested PND) I know that they are supposed to more aware of PND but in my GP surgery there is nothing on the notice boards about it all, if there were I may have been able to come to terms with it two years ago instead of punishing myself for all the things that have went through my mind during very bad spells.
I think I am rambling on too much, but again thankyou everyone for taking time out of your lifes to reply to me, it does mean a lot.
Take care for now.

Love
Becca xx