Post-partum cyclical depression

[Chaource]

Hello, my twin sister developed severe post-natal depression.

Before she had a baby she had severe PMS symptoms just before her period and was very affected by contraception (e.g. morning after pill). Had ADHD type mood swings - sometimes feeling more high and excited and sometimes feeling low, but she never had severe depression before.

She has a 9 month old baby. She first couldn't sleep for 10 days 6 weeks after birth and then felt low and would then feel better. She then went to a mother and baby unit after trying an antidepressant (it made her feel very low and suicidal).

She the took an SSRI and was better for a few weeks (she was very positive) and then she severely blipped. She has since changed her medication to Venlafaxine and was, until recently, on Olanzapine. Since this big blip she has felt suicidal or made an attempt every few weeks for about a week she feels very low then starts to recover and feel well (quite like her old self) for 2.5 weeks or go, and the cycle repeats - she blips and feels severely depressed and suicidal. She tends to feel very low before she blips. She is currently sectioned in an inpatient mental health hospital, but I was wondering if anyone else developed these cyclical patterns post-partum, and had any thoughts about treatment?

We are not sure if it is hormone (linked to her cycle, although she still has not had her period) or may have developed bi-polar?

[Maria_at_APP Moderator]

Hello Chaource,

Welcome to the forum, I am really sorry to hear that your twin sister suffered severe post-natal depression, was in a mother and baby unit and since then has depression cycles and is now an impatient in a unit. It must be so hard for you to see her suffer this way and having gone through depression after having post partum psychosis, I imagine the despair that she is in at the moment.

I had postpartum psychosis in 2018 after the birth of my daughter, I stopped sleeping for a week and behaved very erratically, was very paranoid and lost touch with reality. I was also in a mother and baby unit and got depression after the symptoms of psychosis reduced. I felt very hopeless and a burden to those that loved me. I was then put on an SSRI at the same time as I was taking Olanzapine, and in time I improved.

Few years down the line I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I have had some periods of depression before pregnancy and another one since my diagnosis. But unfortunately nothing as cyclical as what your sister is enduring at the moment. However, a few of us on the forum experience ongoing mental health struggles outside of the postpartum period, so I am hoping you will find supportive replies.

I am so sorry your sister is sectioned at the moment, but take a consolation that she is in a safe place now. Keep asking the professionals looking after her about her progress, being a cycle it is maybe difficult to see that, but she may be not going as back every time she suffers from depression again. All in small steps.

Take good care Chaource, will be thinking of you and hoping for your sister to be back to herself soon.

Maria

[Chaource in reply to Maria_at_APP]

Hi Maria, thank you for this appreciate this response

[Nanabluebell Volunteer]

Dear Chaource, I am so sorry that your twin sister is suffering in this way. You said your sister suffered severe depression which is really awful, was she also diagnosed with PP. I did not suffer Postpartum Psychosis myself, my daughter did, she was admitted to a Mother and Baby unit and is well now. I know how helpless you can feel when a much beloved is poorly in such a traumatic way, but it will mean a lot to her that you are there for her. I hope you have other family and friends in support. I am glad you found Action Post-Partum. Recovery from PP and the depression which can follow, can take time and be up and down. Usually the Peri-natal team would be in support until baby is twelve months, I wonder if you are able to speak with them also have you seen the APP Insider Guides app-network.org/postpartum-...

Wishing your sister well she is lucky to have your as a caring sister, take care of yourself, worrying can be exhausting I know. Best wishes Judith x

[DancingMama]

Hello Chaource,I suffered from Post Natal Depression with both my births, that was many years ago now.

First time I was hospitalised, second time not, I refused to take any medication at the time.

Now I am older & wiser & realise that drugs have their place when used correctly & not abused.

I take 150mg of VenlafaxineXL during the day & at night I take 15mg of Mirtazapine to help with sleep, I was dubious about taking 2 antidepressants but read up on it & spoke to my g.p., about it & discovered that many people get more benefits this way.

I wouldn't change it now for anything.

I really wish I had been put on this supply many years ago.

To let you understand I'm in my 60's & suffered for many years trying all sorts of things that were going to help me.

If I can help any further please don't hesitate to contact me.

Love Tricia ❤️

[EquineBeauty]

hi Chaource, I replied to your other post (it seemed to have been posted twice) but I’ll just repeat myself here: is she on a mood stabilizer as well? Like Lamictal or even Lithium. Would be good to ask her doctors. Most of us after PP were put on an antidepressant, an antipsychotic (like Olanzapine) and also a mood stabilizer (ex: Lamictal). People with Bipolar usually “cycle” and antidepressants by themselves don’t work well. They’re given in conjunction with mood stabilizers.

I’m not saying she has bipolar (I’m not a doctor so don’t know for sure) but it’s worth talking to her psychiatrist team about it.