Post Partum Depression?

And I was just sharing my experience back at you.

Perhaps it's best stated as such:Unless you have experienced both, you're not going to fully understand both. And THIS fact is why expectant mothers considering relinquishment SHOULD be in counseling (not provided by a biased agency). Not only should these mothers be learning the pros and cons of relinquishment and parenting but they should be learning the physical and emotional aspects of childbirth itself and how those hormonal fluctuations may or may not come into play with grief and loss. It's even more important in the months immediately post-placement which is where so so so so so many agencies drop the ball: they simply don't provide post-placement services to birth parents. Those that do often offer three or four therapy sessions. What good is that going to do? Especially as it can take many more sessions than that to diagnose PPD on its own when it isn't further confused with added grief and loss.

No offense to anyone.....but why are we discussing the differences in depression after reliquishment vs. post partum depression when the OP has not even stated yet whether she is parenting or has relinquished. I think we often get so wrapped up that the thread takes on a life of its own. Dvalentine~ I was depressed and on medication upon getting pregnant, stayed on anxiety meds during pregnancy, and had PPD after the birth of my second child. There are many varying degrees of this depression. You need to speak to your OBGYN, a therapist, and your spouse (if you have one) and family. If you are considering hurting yourself or baby, please tell someone. Kim

The OP hasn't replied. We're simply carrying on a conversation about the topics here. Threads often take on a life of their own. :)

While we do NOT know for certain whether the OP is parenting or relinquishing or has relinquished, we do know this is in the Birthparent forum, so assumably she is feeling as if she has or is dealing with some sort of depression. I think our members with some experience with their own depression whether it is PPD or just "normal" traumatic loss have great insight that may just help the OP. I find that some of the best help I have received here at Adoption.com comes from my threads taking on a life of their own.

I thought this was the Depression/Therapy Support Forum?

I do, too, but I think sometimes we get so self-absorbed in our threads at times that the OP never comes back because they feel like they and their concerns or questions are forgotten about. It becomes so 'not about them' anymore. I just want her to come back and tell more of her story so that we can be of better help and sometimes assuming alot just complicates matters. That's all.

You know what? As someone suffering from PPD CURRENTLY, your attitude is EXACTLY what keeps people from sharing and talking about it. FOR PETE'S SAKE. This is the depression support forum for birth parents. If we aren't free to share here, WHERE ARE WE SUPPOSED TO GO?Now not only do I have PPD, but I'm self-absorbed! ROCK!

I'm sorry if you took it so personally. I said WE, as in we as a forum community, sometimes get off on our own tangents.....kind of like now. ESPECIALLY when we question so many other people's posts and make them feel like they are constantly needing to defend themselves. I saw "Depression/Therapy Support".....I didn't know it was just for birthmothers. Where can I find the foster parent, parenting parent, and adoptive parent Depression and Therapy Support page?

Don't you think YOUR totally off-topic ranting took this thread far enough from the original topic?If you have a problem with me, take it to PM. Thanks.

No problem. Just learning to steer clear.

Now we are off topic! We do not segregate here at Adoption.com, however when coming to a forum in a specific category as this one, in the Birth parent forum, it is to be assumed that the OP would likely be a birth parent or at the very least an e-mom. Everyone is welcome here to give their opinions, Jenna was offering up HER experience with depression and that is what the OP asked about.Differing of opinions will happen, respect is a must and if we can't take our personal feelings off the thread then I will have no option but to thread ban or close this thread, please let's not keep the OP from receiving the advice she came seeking!

Sorry it's taken me so long to respond, my computer crashed. As for my experience: My daughter was adopted in March, and for a while I was as 'ok' as I could be, under the circumstances between dealing with my mother's mental illness, my own pre-existing depression, and then the adoption. However, in the past few months, i've been increasingly '*****y' and 'wacked out' (as my mother puts it). I've called every OB/GYN and therapist/psychologist/psychiatrist my insurance will cover, and the earliest appointment I was able to make is for October. So, I haven't been formally diagnosed, PPD just an option. My biggest concerns are how I act around others. I work at Wal-Mart, so I see plenty of pregnant women and families. I have an incredibly hard time being around kids, and absolutely ( and I really hate to say this) loathe pregnant women. I'm sure it doesn't help that while I was pregnant, I was moved to PA with my mom, so I have had zero contact (other than casual interaction while working) with peers. Well, I feel like i'm ranting, so i'll finish up. I appreciate your feedback :)

Did you actually mention PPD when you called the offices seeking an appointment? They'll usually bring you right in due to liability of the phone call contact.It's hard to tell with the symptoms you have listed. PPD is diagnosed when five or more of the following are present, including one of the first two, for a duration of two weeks and onward. (More at WebMD ([URL="http://www.webmd.com/depression/postpartum-depression/postpartum-depression-symptoms"]here[/URL])which is one of the easier to read/understand sites about the ins and outs of PPD.)As pointed out earlier, there are lots of similarities between birth parent grief and loss (which can lead to its own depression) and PPD. In fact, the second "stage" of grief (though I believe we go through the cycles repeatedly during a life of grieving) is in fact depression. (Denial, depression, anger, guilt, acceptance.) That's why it's important to seek out a professional to best diagnose you at this time.Sometimes I wonder if professionals aren't quick to label a birth mother with PPD because they aren't concerned about her harming the child. All the same, depression is depression and it needs treated. I encourage you to call back to a few of those offices and really let them know what is going on. The squeaky wheel...

I was never diagnosed with PPD. I had suffered from depression most of my life it appears and the placement of Supergirl kicked it in big time.What is bad is that even now I can look at that list and check off about 6 of them right now. However I know it is the depression.