PTSD post PPP

[Daddydaycare123]

Hi there, my wife was is on her recovery journey after being sectioned on the 14th April after the birth of our son. She has made good progress since being discharged from the MBU around 2 months ago but in the last 2 weeks has seemed to regress. She is has become very spacey and almost numb. She’s there but not there. Her Alanzapine dose hasn’t changed (10) and nothing else is different but just this sudden change. I was wondering if if could be PTSD? She has just lost a lot of joy and fun that she used to have. Thanks for any help or advice

[Ellie_at_APP Partner]

Dear ChickenPestoPasta

Hello, I'm Ellie. I'm one of APP's national peer support coordinators. I had postpartum psychosis after the birth of my son in 2011.

Welcome to the forum. I'm so sorry to hear your wife has experienced PP, and that she was recovering well, but has regressed in the last 2 weeks, and become very spacey and almost numb.

Recovery from PP is different for each person, but a lot of people do experience depression and also PTSD afterwards, which this could possibly be?

For myself I recovered well from the psychosis, after taking Olanzapine, but then about 6 weeks afterwards, experienced depression. I too felt very disconnected, and couldn't experience any joy or fun for a while. For me it was definitely a reaction to the trauma of everything I had been through with the psychosis, so I think I had some PTSD as well.

Is your wife under a mental health team, ideally a specialist perinatal team? If she hasn't already I would really encourage her to reach out to them. It could be that she needs some additional medication, such as an anti depressant, and some more support. For me, I was given an anti depressant, and also accessed CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy) with a psychologist that was really helpful, and helped me to challenge some negative thoughts that I was experiencing.

I really wanted to reassure you though, that I did come through it, and recovered, and became fully myself again. Your wife will too.

I also wanted to let you know that we are here to support you too. We can link you with other Dads and Co-parents, if it was helpful to speak with someone whose wife also experienced pp.

You can email our Dads and Co-parents coordinator, Simon, on [e-mail]

We have a monthly peer support group on Zoom for Dads and co-parents, Simon will be able to give you the information about it. He can also link you with someone to chat to one to one as well, if you'd find that helpful.

Information about our support for Dads and Co-parents is here:

app-network.org/get-help/su...

Take care, and do know you can keep reaching out here,

Ellie

[Daddydaycare123 in reply to Ellie_at_APP]

What an amazing reply, so kind Ellie - thank you. It’s been utterly utterly horrific - but what I’ve been through is only 1% of what Lucy has had to deal with. Yes she has a perinatal appt once a week, she also has talking therapy where we are starting to work on the timeline of everything / which is upsetting but really useful.

I’d love to join the dad’s network and also look at 1:1 help if available. Shall I drop Simon an email or will you arrange it?

Thanks again

She

[Ellie_at_APP Partner in reply to Daddydaycare123]

I’m so glad my response was helpful, you are not alone. PP is so traumatic for everyone, not just mums going through it.

Yes do drop Simon an email, he will reply to you and give you all the information and will be able to chat with you too.

Take care

Ellie

[MotherOfBears]

Is she under the perinatal mental health team? If she is, encourage her to talk to them about how she is feeling. I also think my team would’ve taken a call from my partner as well, so do try that. If not then get to see your GP and if they don’t seem “on it” please know it is ok to try and seek a second opinion.

I know depression is very common after PP, so please know this is quite normal and although hard she will get out the other side

[Daddydaycare123]

Yes she is, she also has a GP appointment this week so there may be help there. Thanks for the help

[LizzieLizzieLou]

Hi Daddydaycare, I’m sorry to hear your wife has experienced PP. I experienced it in 2020 and as my recovery progressed I developed both severe depression and PTSD. But luckily for me, the psychiatrist supporting me recognised these changes, diagnosed me and treated me accordingly. My psychiatrist was always keen to chat to my partner about what he was observing. He’d often say to me that understanding how I felt and being able to consider that alongside what my loved ones were noticing was helpful for him to be able to support me. At times my partner would notice things but I wouldn’t feel differently, and once his observation alone was of enough significance for the Dr to change my meds. I tell you this because if your wife was happy with you mentioning the changes to her team, then it could be helpful info for her team. Then they can advise. All the best for your wife’s recovery and congrats on your new baby!

[Survivedwithcolor]

First of all, I just want to say I know you’re going through a very scary, confusing and difficult time right now and I’m so very sorry. Your feelings are valid and I can only imagine what it is like to be the spouse and have to watch, not ever having experienced pregnancy or childbirth yourself. My husband felt much as you do when I had PP over 20 years ago and he was terrified. He had the presence of mind to get me to treatment and saved my life. Your wife is very lucky indeed to have a supportive partner and one who is trying to understand and help. I’ve heard stories from sadder situations.

I want to assure you that nothing you are going through is your wife’s fault or yours, and the best thing you can do for her is support in every way possible and keep her working with the doctors. She may be experiencing trauma, she may need adjustments to her medication, or she may just be trying to survive new motherhood, which is hard for absolutely everyone. The professionals will be the best ones to make that diagnosis. I experienced all of those things.

If you have the ability to help with the house or the child, hire a little extra help, or even enlist the help of family members, that may take some of the load off your wife right now. She needs time to devote to herself and her healing. Try to get outside and do some physical activity, both of you or as a family.

I know it is difficult now but she will get better. Many of us on the forum now have recovered and live normal lives now. It takes time, so be patient. Thanks for being a caring spouse for her.

[Daddydaycare123]

Wow, what an amazing note - thank you. I’m doing my best but it’s been utterly life changing for both of us. Thank you for your advice - I think in a way all of that is true - just so hard to know what to do. I’m really really proud of her and think she’s such a trooper to not only recover but be the best mum she can be. Will try your advice. Thanks again

[NMG1991]

Hi, so sorry to hear this. I'm on the same medication 2.5 years postpartum - I'm on 2.5mg from 7.5mg. I was happy during recovery as each day my head became clearer and clearer and being in the MBU with my Baby and partner visiting was lovely - I felt so comfortable there. When I got home I was so happy to be home and be able to be a normal family living in our home with our baby however I then became very depressed. I've done extensive research and have found Olanzapine blocks Dopamine and Serotonin so effectively takes away those happy chemicals in our brains. It also depletes Vitamin B12 and folate. Lack of B12 can contribute to depression. It could also be PTSD for sure, I think we all have an element of that. It's a very traumatic experience we've all been through and traumatic for those who have witnessed the break down of a once well person.

I'm sure you've tried talking to your wife but please keep trying to get through. Ask her if there is anything you could do - maybe you could put her in touch with a psychiatrist who may be able to help her through the trauma. I've started this recently and it's helped so much. A lot of tears going through everything but also major break throughs.

I really hope your wife continues on the path to recovery and I hope however you get her help she's is able to accept it and face the trauma head on. She's already so strong to have got this far.

You're incredible for reaching out. X

[Redtap Volunteer]

Hi Daddydaycare123,

Congratulations on the birth of your son. I'm so sorry to hear that your wife is suffering from PP. I had my episode back in 2002 after the birth of my son and I suffered depression following the PP which was awful at the time and is unfortunately, quite common.

The depression seemed to last for a long time and I probably found this the most difficult part of being unwell. With the psychosis I had lots of energy but the depression sapped my energy.

Something that I used to do that seemed to help was I used to walk to the swimming baths (I couldn't drive at the time because of my medication), put my son in the creche and swim for an hour - or however long it was they would keep my son in the creche. This gentle exercise and a bit of time to myself really seemed to help and kept me calm.

I also used to feel like everyone else did it better than me. I would be at home all day with our son trying to get a smile, a laugh and then my husband would come home and pick him up and he'd be smiling and laughing. Some time later I was told that when you are depressed your face doesn't move in the same way so the baby can't pick up the cues and doesn't react the same. I wish I had known that at the time.

What does come across from your post is how much you love your wife. For me, knowing how much my husband loves me by the way he cared for me while I was ill, was one of the most lasting and positive things that came out of having PP. The beauty of it still makes me well up now.

Just know that you are not alone and we are all here for you and your wife.

Take care.

[Antitodo]

Hi,

I'm sorry to hear you and your wife have gone through PP. It was very traumatic for me and my partner too. Luckily I made a full recovery and did not suffer from depression or PTSD. I think it's probably too early to diagnose PTSD for your wife, but definitely she should get psychological help in processing the traumatic events she's gone through.

In my case, I felt numb and couldn't think straight while on Olanzapine, and didn't feel myself until one month medication-free. Psychiatrists are reluctant to lower the medication too early, but if your wife has been stable for a while it might be worth it to lower this to 7.5 to see if there's an improvement in your wife's mood and cognition. She could have an honest conversation with her psychiatrist and discuss her concerns.

Good luck with recovery.

[Daddydaycare123]

Thank you so much. She has literally as of yesterday had her Olzp dropped to 7.5 so let’s hope this helps. We know we have a long way to go but just want to be able to give her that smile and glint back in her eyes. I can’t tell you how kind and caring you have all been. I really appreciate everyone’s words and time taken to help me and my wife especially. God bless you all and I think you are all super human in coming through this horrible illness. Thank you again

[Zebrawhite in reply to Daddydaycare123]

Just wanted to say I'm sorry to hear what your wife has been through. I had pp in April as well and am also still recovering. If your wife ever wants to talk to someone who has been through similar I'm here x

[Daddydaycare123 in reply to Zebrawhite]

I really appreciate that. It’s been a really really difficult time. I hope you are feeling better. The recovery in a super weird way has been harder. I’m wearing so many scars but yet have to carry on supporting the good days. Our marriage is in tatters because none of us trust the other one. A big part of her being in the MBU was that she was convinced that i was the reason for her illness. She was awful to me. I completly know it was the illness talking but so so hard to recover from as a team. We’re getting there but wow it’s hard x

[Zebrawhite in reply to Daddydaycare123]

It's been hard on my husband too. I get frustrated because it's impossible to fully convey what psychosis is like to him and he desperately wants me to be back to normal. Some days are harder than others. It's good that you recognise sometimes it's the illness talking. Try to not take things personally if possible. It's hard on relationships when someone gets very ill, but if you can ride this out hopefully you will feel stronger as a couple for it.

[Ellie_at_APP Partner in reply to Daddydaycare123]

Hi Daddydaycare123

Sorry you have been going through such a difficult time, with your partner struggling with the aftermaths of the PP. I too almost found the recovery at home (I had depression afterwards too) harder than the very acute bit in the MBU. It was very intense between me and my partner too, so much to come to terms with, and both of us traumatised, and of course with a little one to look after.

You have probably already connected already, but do know our Dads and Coparents project is there for you too. Our Partners Facilitator is Simon, his email is [e-mail] if you wanted to connect with him. We have a monthly group on Zoom for Dads and Co-parents just to connect with each other and share experiences. You definitely aren't alone in your experience.

Take care,

Ellie

[Jenny_at_APP Partner]

Hello Daddydaycare123

My name's Jenny, I work with Ellie who has already given you lots of helpful information

I had PP after my first son was born back in 2012. I was fortunate in not going on to experience a depression but it still took time to regain my confidence and come to terms with what had happened. As others have said, it's unfortunately quite common to experience low mood or depression following PP. The effects of medication can also be tough, and just the process of recovering from what is a very serious and traumatic illness.

PP is such a frightening experience for everyone involved. It's good to hear that your wife is being supported by a perinatal team and her GP too. I hope the drop in dose of Olanzapine makes a difference - medication is so important but it can take a bit of time to find the right balance.

Your wife will be herself again. I remember being told it was like I'd lost my 'spark' but it came back. It can be a long journey but I hope hearing from others is helping to give you hope that you'll both come through this.

Take good care and do write here and ask questions whenever it helps.

Best wishes,

Jenny