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Hi
Oct 10, 2015 19:06:03 GMT
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Post by mollymum on Oct 10, 2015 19:06:03 GMT
Hi. I have 2 girls aged 2 and 7 months, and have just been diagnosed with depression and anxiety. I have struggled with these for years and take antidepressants, but I was doing OK until my youngest was a few months old, then I seemed to just run out of steam. I know things to do to help me get better, but they are so hard to do while looking after little ones. I am also looking after elderly parents. I just feel like such a failure at everything. I want to give everyone - kids, husbands, parents - so much more than I am managing to. I am starting to not be able to feel emotions again, and am so scared that I will become unable to connect with my girls emotionally. I love them so much but am just going through the motions and am so exhausted by them I long for their bedtime, yet I miss them so much when they are not there. What's different from my depression before is how irritable I am now, it scares me, and I feel a complete failure at dealing with my toddler especially tantrums. Does anyone have any tips for parenting a toddler when depressed? I really want to not teach them depressive or anxious behaviour patterns but I'm terrified they will learn them anyway. I have so much guilt. Thanks for reading.
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Hi
Oct 11, 2015 13:13:32 GMT
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Post by monica on Oct 11, 2015 13:13:32 GMT
Hello Mollymum and welcome
I'm so sorry you're struggling with this illness. Pni as can be the case with depression and anxiety, is exhausting and overwhelming in itself. Never mind if you have the responsibilities of looking after children and elderly parents. You have a lot on your plate.
Have you spiken to ur Dr or husband about how you feel? Especially whilst u feel this way you need emotional support and practical help. Perhaps your meds could be tweaked, someone could help out with childcare and ur parents to give u a break - a bit of you time can help hugely. Also talking therapies can help u with the guilt you're feeling and to learn copung strategies. Try not to worry about the effect ur having on kids - I used to worry about this too but kids are actually quite resilient . You sound like a brilluant caring loving mum. It's all become a bit too much - having and looking after a baby , hormonal changes can make you vulnerable . My pni was massively affected by exhaustion and feeling overwhelmed.
Maybe sit down with your hubby and draw up a list of the things that are exhausting / bothering you atm and look for solutions . Happy to make suggestions if you want to share that here. Also do consider talking to ur Dr - they can help hugely too.
You will recover from this I Promise. Please feel free to talk to us - you're really not alone x
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