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Post by richardwalter on Aug 3, 2007 23:18:01 GMT
Thx for all your kind messages everybody
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destiny
New Member
Diagnosed with Puerperal Psychosis Jan 2006 but now recovered. 1 son and a loving partner.
Posts: 29
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Post by destiny on Aug 5, 2007 22:10:10 GMT
I received my information about PP and thought I'd post some info about treatment... typically it will involve something like...:
Supportive Therapy:
The doctor may support the patient himself throughout the illness, more frequently he will refer her to a specialists. In patient treatment may be advised.
Ideally mother and baby should not be separated to ensure that bonding is establisthed in the early weeks. [rubbish waiting list so had to wait a week for a bed and in that time I was in a main stream mental hospital away from my new born... v v v bad experience and one that I will never forget]
Drugs:
Anti depressant drugs are generally effective in relieving a depressive illness . These drugs are not addictive. The main aim of the treatment is to restore normal appetite and sleep, lift the mood of misery and reduce anxiety.
Hormonal Therapy:
May help some of these women. See Katherine Dalton "Depression after Childbirth" OUP 1980 [no depression for me just mania and schizophrenia type symptons so not applicable]
ECT:
Others may require ECT. Whereas ADs may take up to 3 weeks before improvement is noted ECT can be effective after 2 or 3 treatments. The idea of ECT can be frightening, the actual treatment is quite painless. It is administered under a general anaesthetic and muscle relaxant.
Additional in patient treatment:
Facilities include relaxation classes, group therapy sessions and occupational therapy. . As she improves she will take more and more responsibility for the care of her infant. [Very useful]. As discharge draws near she may well be managing her baby completely unaided. A mother who is suffering from PP can expect to be in hospitaly for an average of 2 to 3 months. Her psychiatrist will keep in touch with her after discharge. The hospitaly or local authority social worker may also keep in regular contact. Arrangements are usually made for the health visitor to visit a few days after discharge. [No HV or social worker for me but Psych, CPN and family therapist and now just the psych].
I hope that this helps. All treatment is tailored to the individual. Looking back I realise that mine was excellent although at the time I tried to escape lord knows how many times, fought with the professionals and thought they were all pants and hated the medication. Oh well!!! it worked in the end so guess they knew what they were doing.
x
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Post by Jay on Aug 7, 2007 6:39:43 GMT
Hi Richard,
I have not had this illness myself.
From reading the posts here, and following your thread, I just wanted to let you know I am thinking about you.
Be kind to yourself, and keep strong. Jay x
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Post by louisee on Aug 21, 2007 10:08:49 GMT
Hello Richard
My heart goes out to you. I was in a pyschiatric hospital with PP over a 4 month period. I had ECT and, 9 months later, feel so much better. I am now back at work full-time.
Your wife will get better. My husband felt very much as you do. Visiting every day and trying to keep everything else going was such a strain on him.
He later told me that when I was not communicating or even focusing on him being in the hospital with me, he just used to hold and cuddle me - because he is a firm believer in showing someone you care through touching them and it worked.
Even though your wife is not well - believe me, she knows you are there with her.
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