Cooking

[XxAnnaLouxX]

How did you cope with cooking after psychosis, I find it really difficult to find both the motivation and the concentration. I am 4months out of hospital with PP. I am gaining weight and really need some help with quick easy healthy meals.

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello AnnaLou

As you are only 4 months out of hospital with PP, do you think you are expecting too much of yourself? I think in your previous post I mentioned I had PP a long time ago and was in hospital for six months with my first son, so I think you are doing really well.

After being hit with PP I don't think we realise how much time it can take to pick up where we left off. Perhaps the medication is affecting your concentration and weight? I found it hard to be motivated during an episode of depression after my recovery.

I think you should give yourself a bit more time to come to terms with all that you have been through. Hopefully if the weather improves you will be able to be active, walking or exercising? Perhaps you could find groups via the local library which might offer activities of interest to you? There are quick and easy healthy meal ideas on Google so there might be something there to try.

You have come through so much and should be very proud of yourself, Take care.

[XxAnnaLouxX in reply to Lilybeth]

Thank you, I just want to be back to normal now. So hard to deal with low motivation and apathy, it's really unlike me. It could be medication which is why I am considering lowering my dose. But I am unsure meeting with psychiatrist this week so will discuss with him.

[Lilybeth Volunteer in reply to XxAnnaLouxX]

Hello AnnaLou

Thanks for taking time to reply. I think most of us can relate to wanting to be back to normal when everything seemed to be going in slow motion and such an effort .... but you will get there. When I finally returned home I found I missed the security of the psychiatric hospital and it took me a while to find my place again.

Perhaps this week your Consultant will review your medication and whether, as he suggested, you are experiencing negative symptoms of psychosis and not depression. I hope the appointment goes well.

At least you are trying, i.e. running again. Being through the trauma of PP is a game-changer and such a shock when you consider all you have been through. So try not to be too hard on yourself. There is also a blog here "PP Soup" - a nourishing mix of all things Postpartum Psychosis at ppsoupdotcom.wordpress.com with info and clips including a BBC Radio 4 documentary "Unravelling Eve" where experts and women openly discuss their experiences, which might be helpful.

PP mums are amazing as we have all gone that extra mile for the love of our precious children and families Be kind to yourself .... take care.

[XxAnnaLouxX in reply to Lilybeth]

Thank you

[vlk86]

Hi Anna Lou,

I have loved cooking for most of my life, but like you I found it difficult when recovering from PP. I found it hard to coordinate the cooking and my concentration and motivation levels were also reduced. I also really suffered from a lack of confidence, compounded by struggling with something I am usually good at. Dinner was the worst for me because my son would get irritable and tired at the time I was trying to cook and sometimes we would both end up in tears.

In the end I got my confidence back by changing my approach and cooking dinners that were significantly easier to make. When I cooked I did simple one pot dishes where everything was roughly chopped and put in the oven together. I also got a slow cooker which meant I could quickly prep the one pot dishes in the morning when my little one was much more agreeable and leave it to cook itself throughout the day and just serve it up at dinner time. I found some easy recipes online and borrowed a few slow cooker recipe books from the library for ideas. The smell of it cooking also lifted my mood and I started listening to favoured podcasts or music while I prepped it, so it felt less like a chore and more like a little bit of time for myself.

It also helped me to have some healthy snacks in the house and making some extra portions that could be frozen, then on the days I couldn't face cooking I would still feel that I was eating OK.

One of side effects of the medication I was on was that I put on weight, but this did get significantly better when this was reduced. A medication review could help. It will get better and you are doing really well to keep going. Xx

[XxAnnaLouxX in reply to vlk86]

It's just so frustrating isn't it. Are you okay now can you cook properly again ? X

[vlk86 in reply to XxAnnaLouxX]

Hi AnnaLou. Yes I am back to cooking like I was before now and baking too, thanks. I had PP two years ago and no longer experience those difficulties, so I'm sure you will get there to.

I used the BBC Good Food Ultimate Slow Cooker recipe book, which I still use now. If you don't want to use the slow cooker the 'Roasting Tin' series is also good because you just bung everything in the oven.

[XxAnnaLouxX in reply to vlk86]

Thank you X

[XxAnnaLouxX in reply to vlk86]

Have you got any go to recipes you could share? I always have disastera with my slow cooker so have been put off using it.

[Kelso0523 in reply to XxAnnaLouxX]

Oh my gosh! I had the worst time with this for a while. I experienced PPP in February and found it so daunting to come up with a recipe and stick to it. I remember scrolling through recipes online and could not come up with a decision on what to cook. There were several times even, going to the grocery store and just staring blankly down the aisles on what to put in my cart. I definitely think it was the medication that made it difficult to focus. Now almost 11 months out, I can tell you things have improved! My joy for cooking is slowly coming back, I do not find it challenging to follow a recipe anymore, and I go to the grocery store prepared with a list! Good luck to you!

Skinnytaste.com has some great recipes along with

Damndelicious.net

xx

[XxAnnaLouxX in reply to Kelso0523]

Thank you X

[Bumblebeeee]

Try hello fresh. I have started trying it as I can’t cook. They send you the meals in a box every week with easy to follow recipes with pictures to follow. It’s great x