Post Natal Depression

[rasbrnodv]

Hi, Does anyone have any experience with treating post natal depression. I have a lady coming for her first treatment next week and I would like to be a little more prepared. If anyone had treated someone and has has a good results would you give me a little advice on what arears to treat and how to handle her, I don't want to say the worng thing. Apparently she has it really bad.
Any advice would be welcoming.

 

[Ada]

Hi purplepeach

What treatment are you going to be given her?

I had post natal depression 20 years ago. I can still remember to this day how awful I felt.I very luckily had it only for four months.A lot of mums have it for so much longer. Because they dont know about PND or do not go and get help earlier enough.I was on antidepressants for three of those four months.

I was crying nearly all day every day.I felt a black cloud had descended down on me. I felt totally helpless. I wanted to end my life. Even to the extent I was planning how I was going to end my life.

I just wanted my life, to go back as it was before my daughter was born.

What helped me was the antidepressants.I had total support and understanding from my husband my mum and family. They totally supported me through those four months of what I now call fog.Also I had some help from another mum who suffered from PND over the phone. From the PND society in London. If I did not have all the support.I do not think I would be hear today.

My advice would be, for that lady is to get in touch with the PND society in London. If I can find the number I will post it.Talk to her health visitor to see if there are any mums that are going through it or have had PND. I found just talking to someone who had gone through helped me so much.

You say you dont want to say the wrong thing. All I can say is you dont neccessarily have to say anything. But if you could encourage her to talk about how she is truely feeling.I do mean what she is really feeling. A lot of mums will just say they are very tired and weepy.Thats normal.You could gently ask her if she feels she wants to take her own life. If she says yes. She urgently needs help.If she has not told her doctor or health visitor this. Please encourage her to do so.As soon as poss.

PND can effect anyone. I am a very positive happy person. I always have been. I was looking forward to my first child. So when I was struck down with this depression. It was the most awful thing to happen to me. No one can say who will get it.They say it is caused by your hormones. A sort of imbalance after you give birth.

This did put me off wanting another child. It took another 6 years before I could even think about having another child. The experience was so bad.

I did go onto having another daughter. Thankfully I had no depression that time.

I hope this has helped. If you need any more help just ask.Can you just tell her from me. She will get better. It takes time. A lot of support. Also for me antidepressants.

Best wishes
Sunrise

 

[Artism]

Hi purplepeach

I forgot they now call it post natal illness not depression.Even though you are depressed. They class it as an illness.Mums DO get better. Even though you think you never will.

My heart goes out to that lady. As I know totally how she is feeling.

Here is the info

www.apni.org

email info@apni.org

Telephone 020 7386 0868

Office hours Mon-Fri 10-2pm
Tues -Thurs 10-5pm

145 Fullham Road
Fullham
London
SW6 7EB

YOU CAN HAVE SUPPORT BY TELEPHONE,EMAIL OR POST.

Sunrise

 

[Swablerreby]

Thanks for your reply 'Sunrise' I will pass on the information to her if she asks for it. I don't want to push anything on her. I'd rather it came naturally for her to enquire. She does have a loving family who are concerned for her.

She is coming to me for reflexology to to give her some 'me time' and some relaxation. I wanted what areas would be best to treat or is it just a general treatment she needs. Thanks again for the info.

 

[Younwaldri]

Hi purplepeach

I so love your name.

Reflexology will be so go for her.Some time for herself. Thats great. I cant help you with what area to treat.As I dont know much about reflexology.Its good that she has a loving family.

Thats fine about not wanting to push anything on her.Maybe you could print off that info about the PNI. Maybe you could give it to her.

Best wishes
Sunrise

 

[ShaneTalbert.com]

Ah! thank you Sunrise, I will. x

 

[Mr. Wang]

Hi
I am a reflexologist. I suffered with PND for a short period thankfully. But also suffered with depression prior to this a year or so before due to a divorce etc.

I would stimulate the head and brain areas. Her hormones need to be balanced and this will hopefully help to do this. The solar plexus to help relax. the pituitary and hormonal system to help hormonal imbalance. Adrenals for stress, liver for removal of toxins. Thyroid gland - thyroid imbalances can lead to changes in metabolism and behaviour. Working the respiratory system and circulatory system can have a calming effect too.
Hope this is of help.

Normally I work the whole foot and where there is an area that needs extra work such as the above I go back on it and work it some more - but go gently.

Some people suffer with insomnia when suffering with PND so all the above reflexes are good for that too.

If she is having palpatations like I did again these can all help to reduce stress levels.

I had a client recently who lost a baby (very early on but still very traumatic) and she did not have any counselling - she was not offered it. I suggested so went back to her doctor and insist she gets it. No counselling was offered by the hospital or the GP surgery. This so important. Sometimes better to get counselling rather than speak to family - family are great support but sometimes it is good to get a third person who won't judge to speak to you and sometimes it is good to get out of the house too.

I found eating healthily was beneficial. I started exercising and getting out of the house daily even if it was just around the block! Then I started doing the odd class here and there, that is when I did an introductory course in reflexology and loved it so went on to do the diploma!!

I also started cutting down on caffeine, and chocolate and boy do I love my choccies, I started eating all the fruits like strawberries, blueberries and raspberries - these are well known for lifting the mood - and also seeds, I used to put them in a yoghurt - pumpkin seeds, a few brazil nuts, (careful these are high in fat) and also some sesame seeds and sunflower seeds. I got out in the fresh air and I am feeling fine now.
Good luck and best wishes
T x

 

[dikqrpbf]

Hi Purplepeach

I have just read your post and great reply from Sunrise, I also think it would be a good idea to print both the emails she sent - you could just say that as you don't have much experience with PNI that you have asked for some advice that could perhaps help her and leave it at that, she can take it or leave it but at least she knows that as her reflexologyst you have gone to this trouble to be kind and helpful beyond just the treatment itself. Personally I would be quite touched with your caring and also with such a lovely response.

I'm sure reflexology will help a lot physically and pschologically.


Leah x

 

[S[he] Be[lie]v[ed]]

Hi TJG, That a great help. thanks I will take on board what you've said.

 

[mudfish]

Hi purplepeach
No worries I just pick up lots of things as you often do with reflexology through lots of reading. I find alot of it too is from personal experience but some foods don't suit some people - depending on their usual diet - some people are not good with nuts and seeds etc. Sometimes it is trial and error.
Best wishes
T x