PTSD after PP

[Irishgirl1710]

So I still feel quite affected by my experience of PP, I can barely talk about it without crying and I think about it a lot more than I want to. I think I may have PTSD but am unsure who to approach to confirm this

[Pikorua Volunteer]

Hello Irishgirl1710,

thank you for being in touch again. I remember that sometimes it was really difficult to overcome the hurdle in pressing the "send button" on this forum, because I constantly overanalysed, but that is part of me. I am always happy when mums find the forum as it is the first step to opening up about feelings or receiving useful advise by exchanging experiences.

With regards to your question, I believe it is important to connect with health professionals, and talk about your symptoms and your coping strategies and whether you have any triggers which could affect your mental health more. It helps a lot to establish a support network with family members and/or friends you can trust. You can talk to the GP initially, who then could transfer to relevant therapeutic avenues of your choice. Do you have a peri-natal mental health team or any other community support as I am not sure whether you are in the UK or Ireland, services do vary. At this moment the NHS will offer more online services due to Covid 19 regulations, it would be worthwhile to access the website.

In order to improve my health, I was allocated a Psychiatrist, care coordinator and of course my GP. After 2.5 years I was ready to join group support. Process of recovery is very unique. In my case PTS was not officially diagnosed, but my partner & that was 8 years after PPP. You can read up on PTS on the MIND website or google For some the lid will overflow at a much later stage, and accumulations of triggers lead eventually to an accumulation of emotional turmoil, like an overspill of emotions. Thus, it is good to talk and not to bottle up.

However, PPP is a very traumatising illness and depending on the individual's experiences during acute illness and beginning stages of recovery one needs to allow time for healing.

I hope that other volunteers will be able to provide you with useful links, but as I say it is important to know in which country you are as health provisions are not compatible.

Allow yourself time. Wishing you well x

[Chick44nzrn]

Hello Irish girl

I’m sorry to hear you are concerned and anxious about the PPP you had and if you might be suffering PTSD.

Have you got a GP you can talk to or a Mental Health team contact person ? It’s vital to share your current state so that you are in good professional hands to allay any fears and ensure you stay well.

From my experience PPP is a deep seated illness which can leave pockets of triggers for periods of “ instability” I’ll call it even years later. I have had that twice , years after the actual time of being ill, once when my son left home after college ( normal / he was 17!!) and recently when my daughter gave birth. I think it’s associated with guilt,

And fear. I have looked at it now as a positive reminder of having recovered , from a serious illness, but thoughts of harming my much loved baby were so devastating and a sign of severe disturbance at the time, that there are still pockets of memory that can pop up .

Did you have much support when you were going through the storm of PPP?

Are you in the UK? This website is such a great forum for talking over your concerns so do keep in touch and make contact ASAP with your nearest health professionals . You’ve been through a very traumatic illness and healing includes the ups and downs even after it’s over, so take care Irish girl . Sending you an empathetic hug!

Denise x

[guinea1]

Hello irislgirl1710

I suffered ppp many years ago and now after a trigger have been diagnosed with PTSD... it took along time to accept this because of the trauma from the past.....

I think if you are having these feelings and worries if you can try to talk to your gp, as he will be able to send you on the right path.... or just put your mind at rest..... the quicker you reach out the better if you are suffering from this as can take time to get on the treatment, I am still going down this paths at the moment, but am really glad I am getting help. Take care x

[Sally_at_APP Administrator]

Hello Irishgirl1710,

You have had some lovely replies already, but I just wanted to let you know that PP and everything that goes with it can be quite traumatic, so I am thinking of you.

I had PP in 2015 with the birth of my daughter and it did take me some time to recover. The actual psychosis and depressive symptoms gradually disappeared (after treatment), about a year after I first had PP. But looking back, I still had some way to go at that point. I had similar feelings that you describe, I constantly re-played the birth, the psychosis episodes, and everything that happened whilst I was in a general psychiatric ward. I had horrible feelings associated with certain words and smells took me right back to those times. Having talked to people and professionals since, I probably was processing the trauma of it all. At the time, I had a very good psychologist who worked through this with me. Over time, after talking things through, things did get better for me.

As the ladies have already said, it would be a good idea to talk this through with health professionals. If you are not under a perinatal team anymore, then it would be good to talk to your GP. Getting the help that you need and talking things through can really help.

The recovery from PP can take a while and there will be ups and downs, but you will get there. You have been through a traumatic time, but I wanted to let you know you are not alone in these feelings and that things do get better.

Take care,

Sally x

[Snowy122 Volunteer]

Hi Irishgirl1710

I had PPP I was so paranoid afterwards because of my behaviour I need to do somethings to keep me from being agitated and I had to repeat myself to my partner look I just need to walk up and down here I am ok .. then I tried to stop it but I couldn’t.. but through time I was able to stop the walking up and down..

Time for me was an enemy I wanted everything done tomorrow but when it came to my mental health I was the same but it doesn’t work that way.. allowing time in my life and allowing myself to heal was really hard and accepting that I had PPP wasn’t easy .. I looked at it and realised how powerful are our minds it’s amazing and imagine what any of us can do. Sometimes writing or drawing or keep a wee photo album put some photos in it of yourself doing something nice for example going for a walk take photo of the views, organise a home spa day get a face mask , paint nails etc ..

It’s ok to cry I cried loads only talk about it when you feel comfortable I feel crying for me is a release . I didn’t talk about mines only to my husband and a charity that supported me and my husband. There will be a time that will come and you will be so proud of yourself of how strong and amazing person you are to have got through that. Allow time in your life and remember take care of yourself self care . We are creative amazing people. I am based in Northern Ireland . There is a charity called Support 2 gether brilliant charity . Sending you a hug xxxx

[coffeemom2]

I had trouble talking about it to anyone except the closest friends early on. I even just had trouble finding words to say which is so unlike me. I think talking about it used to bring up a whole bad afternoon. It took 2 years before I told my coworkers about it. They totally understand now why I was so quiet and wouldn’t talk. Give yourself time. It was a very rough experience, and it’s ok to cry. Even though I am 100 percent better, sometimes I look at my toddler and shed a tear when I think back to when she was a poor little baby and I couldn’t be there for her. Its ok to feel bad about it. But then just be doubly grateful for getting better. I think actually after I became positive because I thought well I’m so happy I’m out of it. Thank God.