Lived Experience Forum

[JettSteele]

Does anyone else have any experience with this? I have only recently been diagnosed with PND and just find myself so irrationally angry at my little boy. He's not doing anything a normal baby wouldn't do, really, but every night without fail, he will fall asleep whilst breastfeeding and I'm immediately angry because he always wakes up when i try to transfer him into bed. Some nights, it takes anywhere up to 15 tries for him to stay asleep, and by that time, I'm absolutely ropable to the point where i have to stop myself from punching the wall or literally pulling my hair out. I have an appointment scheduled with a psychologist this week, just wondering if anyone has experienced similar and has any strategies? I dont think I'm in danger of hurting myself or my son. I'm not usually an angry person, and i think that's why i just dont know what to do.

[Owlunar]

PND is natural and really horrible @JettSteele

You need to see a doctor - I don't know much about the condition except it happens and probably happened to me - but it was so long ago and I didn't see anyone about it

Here's the thing though - there are no normal babies - but then - there are some that are a tougher job than others

I am glad to read you are seeing a psychologist -

When we have a mess in the house - noise in the house - too much laundry - feel terrible - the world is coming to an end and we are exhausted there is something important in the middle of all of the -

The Baby!!!

Yes - I had two children - one was adopted and a very unhappy baby and the other one was prem and didn't thrive - like yours went to sleep instead of sucking

So I get it and understand and care - I just can't actually do anything to help

But I am thinking of you

Dec

[Former-Member]

Hi @JettSteele

Ahhh yes. I have had 4 children. I also suffered PDN with two of them. On top of PDN - You would also be feeling really tired, exhausted and drained. And that can lead to irritability and "snapping" if we feel pushed beyond our coping limitations. When you feel like that place the baby safely in their cot and then "walk away from the baby and let him/her cry for awhile" - they will be okay for a bit. Just step away and let yourself calm down for awhile or rest. If really bad and no one is there with you please "ring someone for help". 

When breastfeeding I found it is hard to know if my child was getting enough milk. If not (which was the case for me) the baby will not sleep and constantly cry. Another reason could be colic. Best to speak to pediatric specialist or nurse etc and receive help as soon as possible. Is there anyone at home who can help you? You need sleep.

I did have to eventually bottle feed. I don't feel guilty for that as my children are strong and healthy. That's a personal choice. But I didn't produce enough breastmilk.

[Fancy_Pants]

Hi @JettSteele

Welcome to the forums

As the others have said PND is very real and very common see here (not to take away the severity of it), and your emotions are telling you that you need support now

accessing a psychologist is a great start and i was also thinking about the organisation called PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety aNd Depression Australia) as they specialise in this, they operate an australia wide hotline 1800 882 436 (for anytime you may need to chat with someone) and run support groups in different areas - if your interested

[Missie]

It's such a horrible feeling I'm looking for help myself for PTSD AND BORDERLINE Personality disorder,

[Owlunar]

Hi @Missie

There are a lot of people here with PTSD - I am one of them - and I have been having help with a therapist. As much as we would like to deal with this ourselves - we can't

And with BPD - Borderline Personality Disorder - my son most likely had this disorder but did not get help - I suggest you do if you are not already - it is a very unpleasant condition with unpleasant symptoms coming out of nowhere

Did you know you can go to your GP and get up to ten Medicare funded visits with a psychologist a year? - you need to ring your GP or find one if you haven't got one - and make a long appointment to get a plan

I didn't know this myself until I found a psychologist and I found I was entitled - I wish you the best and keep in touch

Dec