postnatal depression (son is 2)

[lee_lee]

I have a 2 year old son and i asm struggling to cope wiv him. He has been in a day nursery since he was 6 mnth old so that i could return to college which i thort at the time would be a good idea but it sewems as though he is punnishing me by not listening to mew when i try to disipline him and now i am at the end of my tether. My friend thinks i have pst natal depression and that i should see a doctor cos i am always crying and never happy with anythinbg i do. Can you have post natal depression when your child is 2 cos i thought you poonly had it when they were born?

[nic..nic32]

post natal deprssion is somthing mothers get any time from the birth but usually in the early weeks,if you do not get it treated or talk to someone about it it can only get worse so maybe you did have it in the early stages without realising it and its gotten worse. speak to your health visitor or doctor about it

[SaxyJag]

Lee_lee, I had PND for a couple of years after having my youngest, to the point where I almost took pills. It took a wonderful health visitor on a routine visit to get me back on track again - she just sat and listened, bless her.

Your GP surgery would be a good start. He or she may prescribe some anti-Ds in the short term but, more importantly, can point you towards other, non-medical sources of support - specialist staff, parents' groups etc. Whether it turns out to be full-on PND or something else, it sounds like you need a little help just now, and you shouldn't feel embarrassed about asking for it.

Come back and let us know how you're getting on.

[Mads]

Lee-lee

I have thought this about myself for quite a while and at the moment it's pretty bad. I didn't think you could get PND so long after the birth of a baby. As someone else said, if you were feeling up and down for a while early after your son was born, you may not have noticed it getting worse. If it's not treated, it could lead to more problems for you later.

My daughter is 2� and tests me on everything. When she's told off she just keeps on going back to whatever it was. When I then lose it, she cries and sobs like she's the hard done by one!

Until recently she was a happy content girl but it's safe to say the "terrible twos" have kicked in.

Your son is probably just testing the limits, so stick with it.

Personally, from what you've said...putting him in nursery from 6mths old is no bad thing...most people do after maternity leave. This WILL benefit him as he'll be interacting with other children his age and other adults. I have noticed a difference in my daughter's behaviour since mixing with the other 2-3yr children, so like her, your son will be picking up the things other kids do and trying them at home!

As for you going to college...that will only benefit you both in the future, so again, stick with it.

Please go and have a chat with your doctor and/or health visitor. They'll guide you from there.

Also, try a google search for Bluebell Day...this is related to PND and contacting them may be of help to you too.

Best wishes...and should you want to chat further, feel free to give me a shout...

Mads

[lee_lee]

thankjs for all ur advice i am going to the doctorsd soon so will keep u all updated thanks again