Number one son

[ownvolition]

Hi

My Mum had Electric shock treatment (in the Department of Psychiatry, dont know if she was sectioned or not) in 1972 after I was born as she had Post Natal Depression.

Is there any known research into the effects on the babies and the fact that I suffer with paranoia, depression (always felt like crying when I was younger, nowadays has morped into rage, spite and hate), isolation from my family (emotionally), and the inability to form meaningful relationships with Women?

I am in my thirties now and I've resolved to sort this stuff as its been holding me back for years.

[wendabell]

firstly welcome,
i admit i have no knowledge to the effects on children as my children show no side effects from my illness.I was open and told them however that mummy was ill and ever since they have showed me support.
But back in the seventys things were not the same.It was still seen as a mental illness and treatable through extreme interaction.Also it was even more of a taboo subjest than it is now.
Have you spoken to your gp about how you feel.
I am so sorry you have had such a bad time with all this,life isnt fair sometimes.
Maybe a user on here might be able to offer better support to you.
Please dont stop seeking help though.Have you tried a councilling service.They can be very good in helping you sort through issues in your life.
thinking of you
wendy x.x.x

[ownvolition]

Thanks for the reply wendabell

Yes I have started counselling recently. A bit sparse on the NHS (once a month) but at least its available to me.

This forum is a great thing and so are the people who reach out and help women (and partners) through PNI which must feel like the lonliest time ever when they are going through it.

Best Wishes.

[Veritee]

Hi
Wendy is right - aggressive intervention like Electric shock treatment was far more likely to be given and in hospital for women with a level of PNI which these days are much more likely to be treated at home with counselling, medication and support.

ECT is still given now and then but usually only if the person has a very severe depressive form of PNI for which all other treatments have failed - but it is very unusual now.

There is research into how babies react to having a mum with PNI one of 3 ways according to the Child Psychotherapy Trust:

- becoming withdrawn, turning away from mothers face
- appearing to be 'easy' and undemanding - go with anyone baby
- appearing to be fine during the day - unsettled and clingy at night.

(this last does describe my daughter for a time, but who knows if it was my PNI or just how she was?)

and also research on how older children can react to having a mum with PNI - but effects on older children is more usually thought to occur when a mum is so ill and withdrawn she does not engage/interact or show love to her children consistently for a long time or indeed is hospitalised away for her children for a time, and there is no other person who takes over the main caring role for the children as the main carer does not have to be a mum – just someone who does the job ‘good enough’

and a very cut down version of what generally this research found was that the effect was different on girls than on boys.

Girls: unassertive, lacked confidence and self esteem, withdrawn, compliant

Boys : over assertive, behavioural problems, aggressive demanding

However as 'postnatal depression has only been on the clinical map since the 1960 ( Professor Brice Pitt from a PNI training day)

No studies that I know have done anything on the effects of PNI on children as adults! If anyone knows of research like this I would be interested.

The symptoms you describe could be from your mothers PNI, but could also be for so many other reasons including nothing to do with your home or parenting or it could be from things that happened later in childhood. But it is more likely not to be just one cause as normally PNI is fairly short lived in a child’s life –


and if she had ECT in those days she would have not been able to take you into hospital with her so you may have been upset by her sudden absence and the atmosphere in your family because of this happening may have been upsetting for a young baby.

It would be very difficult - if not impossible to know if this or what else led to your current distress, but you as the person suffering this may have some clues in the way you feel about things.

Are you looking in your counselling at what you are raging and angry about and who you direct it to i.e. women other men, your mum, partners, authority -as this may give you some clues as to what has triggered how you feel now.

I am sorry that you are suffering like this.

I do know that it is a horrible thing to feel as your describe but I also know that if you are as resolved to 'sort' it as you sound that you will get through this

All the best

Veritee

[ownvolition]

Thankyou Veritee

That sheds light on a few things.

You do brilliant and kind things here.

Thanks again.

[wendabell]

hi ,
thank you for saying such kind words,but this site is run by all supporting eachother in a supporter/supportee role we all muck in together. I hope we have helped you a little and good luck with your councilling.It can be a very useful exercise.
love and best wishes
wendy x.x.x

[Veritee]

yes wer'e a team here

[yorkslass]

hi

I just read your thread and I am worried how this has affected my children espesially my oldest as she has behaviour problems at home with me and i a just starting to get help i need in fact this week I am getting a visit from home start.

I have always woundered if my pni has affected my daughter and i have actually been told by the child mental health team that her behaviuor is more to do with my pni than anything else.

Mel

[karl]

yorkslass i don't think with the child mental health team should have said that there are many different reasons to behavour and for them to say that make you feel worst

[yorkslass]

Thank you

Yes you are right about there being many different reason. I agree with you they should not have said it.

I am having a visit from Home start tommorow lets hope they can help out.

melx

[Veritee]

I totally agreewith Karl

and in my long winded way, this is what I was trying to say in the other section- you have put it so well, there are many reasons this could be - no one can really know - kids are kids!

And it is very negative it will not help you Mel to feel good aboutyour role as a parent to your little girl.

I have to go out now before its too late!!

[yorkslass]

thankyou veritee