Relapse at2yeRs

[becm]

Hi.I'm new here. Had ppp a year and half ago. Just come off meds and have relapsed. My little boy will be 2 in a week. Is this normal to relapse with pychotic symptoms? This message took me 30 .ins to write

[becm]

I also can't sleep . Is anyone up? Losing it slightly x

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello becm

Welcome t the forum and thank you for sharing your experiences of relapse and anxiety. Here you will find lots of support.

I'm sorry to hear that you are suffering from psychotic symptoms. Do you think it would be a good idea to speak to your GP or care team as you might need to stay on your medication for a little while longer? I wonder if you have seen the PP Guides, "Recovery after Postpartum Psychosis" at app-network.org/what-is-pp/... and there is also a guide for partners.

Do you have other support around you other than your GP? During my recovery many years ago I did relapse and had psychotic symptoms so you are not on your own. With treatment and medication I did fully recover. I'm sorry to hear you have been confined to the house because of your anxiety. It is an awful illness on its own, so as you are coping with so much I think you need a lot of care and support. Perhaps you can ask your GP to refer you for ongoing support? Please get help for yourself so that you can find your place again and sleep.

We are all here for you so please keep writing if it helps.

[Ellie_at_APP Partner]

Dear becm

I'm so sorry you've suffered a relapse after 2 years. It's really good you've found us and reached out.

That is really hard, but it also not uncommon, and you are not alone, I hope others who have suffered a relapse will be able to share their experience. Are you getting support from a mental health team, and a psychiatrist to advise you about medication? If not, do seek support urgently from family and professionals - you will come through this and recover, with the right support.

Thinking of you becm, you are going to get better, Ellie

[Chick44nzrn]

Dear becm, These are difficult days for sure, and added anxiety is clearly making things worse for you. Added to that lying awake at night doesn't help at all ! This will get better and please don't lose hope as it is a treatable illness . You need some help right now ..

I agree with the ladies who have replied that suggest you get in touch with your MHT team or the GP to discuss your current symptoms..its not uncommon to have breakthrough

Psychosis after recovery, but best to tell the professionals straight away, who will decide if medication could be helpful etc... This should lead to some positive improvements for you.

As for the anxiety side of things, you might like to try very small steps at going out...and if you have a nice friend who can come with you .. even say a few meters at a time , working up daily.. (Don't worry if neighbours see you they will think you forgot a key !). Later when you feel up to it, you might ask the GP or the MH team if CBT might help you process the anxious thoughts?...It could be something for the future if not now. I always find writing down my worries in a journal is helpful at the time especially during sleepless nights. (I no longer have PPP and depression after babies' births, but do get some anxiety, sleepless nights etc as Im on v challenging chemo regime for breast cancer, and it's so easy to get carried away with the "What ifs!!")... Distraction is the simplest quickest way to get mental relief by the way ... (eg Netflix, happy videos, reading, texting etc Don't forget everyone in NZ is awake when we are asleep !! Do you by any chance have any friends there?My sons and families are there so great for chats in the middle of the night !)

Do you see any friends during the day ? Family / are they kind and supportive ? The main thing is in my opinion, don't hide your symptoms through fear of being criticised . A lot of us feel concerned about others' judgement of us .. That was what I used to worry about ,

and it was not helpful at all!

Thinking of you today and hope you are feeling easier and more hopeful.. Take care !!

Denise xx

[becm in reply to Chick44nzrn]

Thank you x i! Not there yet but on recovery but it words are so important and real as

[Revans86 Volunteer]

Hi Becm,

Welcome to the forum, where you will find lots of lovely people with listening ears. I had PP too, probably at a similar time to you by the sound of it.

I’m so sorry you’re experiencing a potential relapse, this is understandably an anxious time for you.

If you can pick up the phone and reach out to family / close friends and your mental health team / GP. They all care about you, and will want to reassure and support you through this.

As I understand it, relapses can be common, when changes happen - for example stopping breastfeeding, when your periods return, changes in medications.

Do trust that you’re not alone in this. You’ve come so far, and are amazing for reaching out on a forum like this.

Thinking of you xxx

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello becm

Just wondering how you have been since you posted about your relapse and anxiety. Have you had any support from your GP or mental health team?

Please don't suffer in silence ...... with good medical care and support you will eventually find your place again and also manage your anxiety. I hope the replies here have been helpful in some way. I found that even knowing I wasn't on my own was such a relief. Take very good care of yourself.

[becm]

ThInk you . It means so much just to be in conta t x doc was meant to see me Friday but didn't .me nta l health team docs apt on 12 th feb. As of today my child is a ss child in need for 12 weeks min.

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello becm

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I'm sorry your doctor didn't see you on Friday. Is it possible to arrange another appointment for him to see you, or visit you at home, as 12th Feb is a few weeks away yet until your care team appointment?

Try not to worry about your little one being a child in need. I think it's just a formality and perhaps social services will be able to support you too in some way? We are always here to talk if it helps you. Take very good care of yourself as you are coping with so much. Sending you a virtual hug x

[Pikorua Volunteer]

Hello becm,

I've been reading through the thread...pleased you found APP! Welcome!

I am so sorry for your relapse. I hope I can be of some help and describe my recovery.

After PPP in 2010 my recovery was very difficult. Not only did I not have appropriate care when being sectioned, but the first year of recovery had been like a blank slate...luckily my partner was my full time carer and helped me back on my feet.

I struggled a lot with psychotic episodes, which often was triggered by very stressful situations. When my father had an accident and passed away after 2 months, I started to here bells ringing and that pretty much carried on for maybe another year. My brain just did not rest and mind racing has been extreme and got worse when we lost my partner's mum.

Remember we are all very different, I just can highlight that in my case environmental stressors have affected my well being.

I always have communicated with my care coordinator, and seen my GP regularly. My care plan has been designed accordingly to my needs...

Over the years a lot has changed, but I always worked very hard on trying to improve my life style such as getting group therapy, especially when I have had no control over external events affecting our family life.

I believe it is important to try and communicate with health professionals, but also trust family members or friends...it is easier said than done...I felt terribly isolated until I found APP, despite doing activities with my son and attending play groups and pursuing therapeutic avenues such as Yoga...It is so important to talk to like minded mums who have been in the same shoes as you...experiencing compassion and peer support helps a lot...

I believe you are in NZ...one of my favourite spots in the world...been twice...I am not sure where you are, but hope you can do a bit of research in order to find out whether there is community support, health professionals and even specialised in post natal support etc...

Next time round, and if you would like to journalise a bit about your type of anxiety I maybe able to tell you about my experiences with extreme fears and how I am managing coping strategies...journalising and mood tracking helps me with my bi-polar...and anxiety is part of my individual spectrum trade...

Sending you a big hug "down under"...

xxx

[amyfj Volunteer]

Hi Becm,

Well done for reaching out! I hear what you're saying it's hard to have a relapse. I too have experienced several episodes of psychosis since my early twenties and it does take time but I've always recovered. I have my fingers crossed that your recovery journey is good.

How are you feeling at the moment? Have you spoken to your doctor yet?

I know it's tough but I had social services involved at one point too and they really were a help and support so maybe try and make the most of it if you can.

Thinking of you

Amy

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello becm

I hope you are ok. Have you been able to see your GP for help, as he was meant to see you last Friday? Do you think he will put you back on your medication until you see your care team on 12th Feb? Sorry for the questions .... I know how unsettling a relapse can be. I hope you have support around you. Take good care of yourself.