depression or pospartum depression - Depression Message Board

kekette12 · 11-07-2007, 04:25 PM

is there a difference?? Most of the symptoms are the same....seems to be the only difference is the fact that with postpartum depression you have had a baby within a year. I have had to deal with depression most of my life----I've been on anti-depressants on and off for the last 15 years or so. I had felt pretty "normal" (whatever that is) for much of the last year or so....had a little girl in June of this year and really felt wonderful about my life. There was a major incident in my life that was very very hurtful this last September and ever since then it seems like my depression is returning with a vengence. Can one single event bring depression back like this?? Or can it be that I'm just healing from it and it will get better?? I don't want to be depressed....I just want to be happy.

I hope there is someone out there who can help me figure this out---I appreciate any comments back.
thanks.

NVD · 11-08-2007, 04:37 PM

Hi Kekette,

I'm sorry you're feeling so bad. It's so hard when you have a little one, and feel bad all the time. I went through major PPD after my second daughter...it was pretty horrible.
The only difference between depression and ppd is really only the obvious. You can't have ppd unless you've been pregnant recently. Also, ppd is usually all about the hormones, lack of sleep, major life changes, etc. Add extra stress to the mix, I'm sure it's quite easy to fall back into the depression rut. Usually ppd will start to get easier when your homones start getting back to normal, but sometimes, it can turn into a full blown depression...other times, it may never fully go away. Since you've suffered with depression, really, I'm not sure if there is a way to tell if your dealing with another bout of depression, or ppd. I would definitely talk with your doctor about what you're feeling though...you have a little one to take care of...which isn't easy in itself...add on the depression or ppd...and I know how much harder it becomes. I know not much help here...but I have been there...and I feel for you. Good luck, I hope you get some relief soon.
Amber

lv2srf · 11-08-2007, 06:21 PM

I think medically, they think PPD is depression in the first year after a birth (or pregnancy, as NVD pointed out). But of the moms I know, most say it feels different than anything they've ever felt. More than half probably, have more ppanxiety than the "can't get out of bed" depression.

A major incident could perhaps be the last straw (or a bunch of straws that included the last straw) as far as stress, coping, and emotions go. Any kind of big loss or similar thing in at least the last year can be associated with depression.

The important thing is to do what you need to feel like yourself, maybe including therapy, maybe meds, maybe both.