Post by charlottesmum on Sept 8, 2006 20:01:19 GMT
I am a single 39 year old mum to 3 girls aged 4, 5 & 12 and two little stars in heaven. I would like to inspire some hope into all you lovely ladies. I was diagnosed with PND when Sophie was 6 weeks old by my wonderful Health Visitor. She took control of the situation and got me lots of help and support. I didn't realise how ill I was. I couldn't read a magazine or a newspaper, I coudn't remember my telephone number..I couldn't even remember my daughter's names. I was so frightened of being out of control and losing my mind that I didn't go out. I became a recluse. My poor babies were deprived of days out, walks to the park, trips to the shops. Their dad was out of the house 14 hours a day 6 days a week and I had no family for support. I asked hubby to buy some baked potatoes for tea, but I was incapable of telling him how many to buy because I was unable to count how many people we had in our family. I started to feel suicidal and kept threatening to slit my throat and take all my pills, the only thing keeping me alive was the thought of my children not having their mum. I constantly breastfed the baby, that being the purpose for my staying alive.
One day I got a phone call from a charity run by a local church, asking if Helen could come and visit me. She said they run a group once a week and I could have a cup of tea and they would look after the girls in the next room. The following week Helen picked me and the girls up - Sophie was 4 months and Charlotte was 19 months. Charlotte absolutely loved the group - there was a room full of church volunteers playing with the children. And the mum's were through a door drinking tea, chatting and doing crafts. Everyone was so kind and non judgmental. I went home and cried.
I cried because for the first time in 35 years someone had listened to me, accepted me and was kind to me. I was in a mentally abusive relationship and my husband had been telling me I was mad. I left him when Sophie was 12 months old. I stayed on the antidepressants for 3 years. I had psychotherapy for 3.5 years. I saw my fantastic psychiatrist for 4 years. I had a great team of Mental Health help.
I attended this church group for 3.5 years! I then felt well enough to start applying for jobs and I found my dream job which I have been doing for 49 weeks precisely!! I am a Community Mental Health Support Time & Recovery Worker - I support patients that have been referred by their GP and visit them in their own homes - some are young men suffering from depression and anxiety, some are older woman who are agoraphobic, some are young ladies who have postnatal depression and some are men with schizophrenia. I love my job and I feel that I do it so well and with so much passion because I have been down the path of depression and I have gone through the tunnel and found the light.
I just want you all to feel inspired. PND is an illness and you will RECOVER. ...
One day I got a phone call from a charity run by a local church, asking if Helen could come and visit me. She said they run a group once a week and I could have a cup of tea and they would look after the girls in the next room. The following week Helen picked me and the girls up - Sophie was 4 months and Charlotte was 19 months. Charlotte absolutely loved the group - there was a room full of church volunteers playing with the children. And the mum's were through a door drinking tea, chatting and doing crafts. Everyone was so kind and non judgmental. I went home and cried.
I cried because for the first time in 35 years someone had listened to me, accepted me and was kind to me. I was in a mentally abusive relationship and my husband had been telling me I was mad. I left him when Sophie was 12 months old. I stayed on the antidepressants for 3 years. I had psychotherapy for 3.5 years. I saw my fantastic psychiatrist for 4 years. I had a great team of Mental Health help.
I attended this church group for 3.5 years! I then felt well enough to start applying for jobs and I found my dream job which I have been doing for 49 weeks precisely!! I am a Community Mental Health Support Time & Recovery Worker - I support patients that have been referred by their GP and visit them in their own homes - some are young men suffering from depression and anxiety, some are older woman who are agoraphobic, some are young ladies who have postnatal depression and some are men with schizophrenia. I love my job and I feel that I do it so well and with so much passion because I have been down the path of depression and I have gone through the tunnel and found the light.
I just want you all to feel inspired. PND is an illness and you will RECOVER. ...
