When did you feel like things got better or you had recovered? I have PPD/A and am being treated for it. Things are definitely better overall, but it's still pretty rough and there are days like today where I feel like I'm right back at the beginning. Would love to hear from others who went through it and to know when it got better for you. Need to see a light at the end of the tunnel! I know this won't last forever but sometimes it really feels like it will...
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I didn't get help, but probably should have. I didn't start feeling better until almost 18 months. Hopefully it won't be as long for you since you're getting the support you need! Hugs!
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@Mrs. Sunshine: thanks
I've heard it's very hard to get better without help. I'm sorry you went through that! I'm glad to know it did get better though. That is really all I need to hear right now -
I was on a low dosage of Zoloft for 6 months with DS1 and I'm still on a low dosage for DS2 at almost 9 months - I just figure I'll take them until they run out. I felt a ton better within 2 weeks when the meds kicked in but ultimately the key to my recovery was getting solid sleep. Until that sleep deficit was addressed I wasn't myself. I was vastly improved once my kids were STTN.
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I had really severe PPA for about a month, and it has been gradually decreasing since (8 months PP). It is definitely hanging around. Next time I get pregnant I am for sure going to ask for something. I needed help and didn't ask for it. Not making that mistake again!!! Hang in there, Mama!
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I was on Zoloft until I got pregnant again and then went off. I felt like myself again at that point. It had been about a year on Zoloft.
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I had pretty bad PPA for awhile.... it got better around 4m, then 6m, then 9m.... I wouldn't say it got really livable until 9m though. I did not get help and wish I did.
0-4m: irrational, pervasive thoughts about him dying in all sorts of ways, mainly germs
4m-6m: irrational, recurrent thoughts about him dying, always trying to figure out ways to prevent it (safeguards)
6m-9m: recognizing thoughts as irrational and trying to work through them with DH & family help & prayer.... started to realize I couldn't control everything.
9m... just started to turn a corner. LO started STTN more consistently, so that might have played a role. I also got (finally) comfortable with my caregivers.
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@Goldengirl: No baby for me yet...but I have an extensive history of anxiety and depression. Once I found the right therapy and medication it was like a light switched on. It took a long time to figure out the seemingly small things I was doing that were detrimental. There were many set backs and times I thought it would never end. It's now been over a year since an episode. You will get there!! I feel so strongly about speaking out and getting help.
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I dealt with both PPD and PPA, but the anxiety was far worse for me. I knew pretty early on that what I was suffering was not the average baby blues, and I was proactive about trying to better it. I tried a very low dose of different meds but they made me so sick (which can happen as you adjust to the meds) that I wasn't willing to wait it out. I decided I'd rather suffer the anxiety and depression than deal with the nausea!!
Anyway, I did end up having therapy for a little while. I'd say that I felt much better by about 6 months, but not truly myself until he was about 1.5-2 or so. I will say that it has truly impacted my desire to have more kids, though. So maybe I'm still not truly "over" it? I don't know. -
I had PPA that onset with weaning. One thing that helped me a lot was reminding myself that the anxiety was hormonal and that as my hormones changed over time, my anxiety would likely lessen as well. That way I could focus on the journey and not feel "stuck". Therapy helped a great deal. My primary care doc also prescribed meds but the cloud started to lift before I even started taking them.
All this to say, there IS light at the end of the tunnel, but it's good that you are getting some help as you find your way towards it.
Edited to say, due to the fact the PPA was weaning related, I probably didn't have such a severe case and it was probably five months from when it started to when I felt like myself again.
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Oh one thing that helped me a lot was that once I was on the meds I could recognize a pattern to when I would get the anxiety attacks. For some reason it was always between 10am-12pm and sometimes also later in the afternoon around 4pm. So I started doing stroller walks twice a day at those times to fight back with seratonin boosts. I also routinely left the baby with DS in the evenings to walk around and putter at the Target for an hour while drinking something tasty. It helped me unwind before bedtime/night shift. Whenever you feel anxiety or despair, try taking a brisk walk or something physical - even if it's just dancing in your living room or lifting your baby up and down like you're lifting weights. Just 10 minutes will help a lot.
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I felt tremendously better by 2 weeks or so after I started on my SSRI. For the anxiety attacks, my doc gave me propranolol in small-dose pills that I could take as a fast-acting fix when I started to feel them coming on, and it worked extremely well. It got to the point where just knowing I had the pills around would help stave off the attacks. I definitely recommend asking about it for anxiety. I was able to wean off of all meds six months after starting them (I felt ready sooner, but they typically don't want to you swing on and off any faster than that.)
I've heard it's very hard to get better without help. I'm sorry you went through that! I'm glad to know it did get better though. That is really all I need to hear right now 
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