how do u know if you got PND?

[micacook]

how do u know if u have PND. i have been feeling very down. dont go any where and have spent most of the day crying. i struggle to get to sleep. i have the doctors today but am feel scared. and worry that people will call me a bad mum. i love my daughter to bit and wouldnt want anyone to say that?

[wanagetoverthis Administrator TRUSTEE PNI ORG UK Volunteer]

Hi Mica

First of all, you are not a bad Mum and the Doctor will not think that x

Having a baby is a very stressful time and a lot of women feel down. However, if the way you feel is really affecting and upsetting you then it definitely makes sense to speak with your Doctor. There are many things they can do to help and they do see this everyday... although it isn't a very 'talked about' illness, it is very common.

If you do have PNI, don't despair. This is a very treatable illness and I promise you it does get better.

Keep talking to us, we know how you feel and will be with you every step of the way

Love Nat xxx

P.S. We also have another forum on our main site at pniorguk.proboards.com if you would like to have a look. You'll find lots of women's stories and we have a lot of users that help eachother through this.

Please let us know how you got on at the Doctor xxx

[VeriteeFounder TRUSTEE PNI ORG UK Volunteer]

Hi Mica

I totally agree with everything Nat has said above.

Honestly you will not be considered to be a bad mum by your doctor, but I very much understand your fear that you will be.

My child is now 24, grown up, working and a fine young woman, so for me it was many years ago, but I still do remember very keenly worrying that I would be judged as a bad mum if I went to my doctor.

One of the reasons PNI.ORG.UK was set up was as a place that no one will feel judged.

But I am sure your doctor will not judge you either.

However you are very welcome to come to our PNI forum pniorguk.proboards.com and talk about your fears on this as well as how you have been feeling in general since the birth of your child.

It is thought that at least 1 in 5, possibly more get down after the birth of a child and this can come on ev3en many months after the birth, as wellas straight away - we are all different.

But whether you have PND ( or what is now more often known by the medical profession as Perinatal mental health, or PNI - Post Natal Illness) is I guess up to you and your doctor to talk about and decide.

However in terms of getting the support that we at PNI.ORG.UK pniorguk.proboards.com provide as a self help group, we do not ask for a diagnosis.

It is enough for us that you are feeling down, that you feel that something is not right for you or how you would wish it to be.

Please keep in touch.

Veritee