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From: Theresa H.
Date: 8/12/04
Time: 9:41:57 PM
Remote Name: 68.227.209.34
Hello To All,
I am a survivor of Post Partum Psychosis. My baby, Sydney, was born 7/16/03. I felt strange feelings from the time she was born, what I know now as Anxiety. I had to wean Sydney from my breast because she had Reflux and was not keeping anything down that I ate.
When the weaning process took place I felt like I was hit by a freight train in my own mind. I literally thought that I was drugged or poisoned and I was freaking out from either one. Eventually I called my GYN/OB and my husband. I went to my doctor and they put me on Zoloft and told me to take a long shower and try to get some rest.
That was a complete joke. I couldn't sleep from the anxiety and I cried in the shower when I was able to enven get into the shower.
I started having severe anxiety attacks and went to the E.R. They admitted me on the Psychiatric Floor and kept me drugged for four days and then sent me home.
I had no counseling at the hospital at all. The only thing I remember is walking down the hall to eat.
My Mother and Best Friend drove from Ohio to VA. to help with the Sydney and my husband, Tim.
My Meds. were switched after seeing a Psychiatrist and a Licensed Therapist. For two months my Mother stayed by my side along with my husband. I had thought of smothering Sydney, and then killing myself because I thought that I would be crazy the rest of my life and noone else could be a mother to Sydney. Why should she have to live with a crazy mother? I would hide in the closet because that is where I felt safe from halucinations. My anxiety attacks came in waves, my depression was always there. I felt guilty for feeling this way. I felt like an unfit mother, wife, etc...
My husband had dealt with a couple of his own family members in his past. They were diagnosed with Psychizophrenia. This made my husband, Tim deal with me in such a way that noone ever could. He is so loving, understanding and did everything possible to keep me and the baby alive and on the road to recovery. He was truely sent to me from God.
I have been feeling good since Christmas 2003. My anxiety seems to come back mildly before my menstrual cycle starts. I don't feel depressed at all anymore.
My Mother has suffered from mild depression most of her adult life, my Father suffers from Anxiety Attacks, and I am a bit obsessive compulsive. Most of the women in my support group fit on of the above.
Helena, you are exactly correct in saying that it strikes our hormones and in turn imbalances the chemicals in our brains. You literally think that you are crazy.
I am now helping other women and feel that God has used me as a tool in some way. I prayed every day for God to help me get well. You also have to realize that you MUST