After last week’s rollercoaster week, I’m pleased to say that this week has been a better one, perhaps due to a sense of
I’ve finally accepted the need for ask for help and admit what I’ve suspected deep down for several months, that I have postnatal depression. Accepting that telling myself that tomorrow will be better if only I try harder is not going to make it go away and that it is okay to ask for help and that admitting I’m struggling does not make me a bad mother. So I finally saw the GP who was lovely. She has seen me through my last two pregnancies, has been one of the two GPs that generally sees Jessica and knows our history. She listened and was sympathetic and understanding which was just what I needed. I’ve been referred for CBT, my lovely health visitor is now in the loop also (another person who is fully aware of our history with Jessica – makes it so much easier when I don’t have to explain it all!) and has arranged for ‘listening visits’ to help support me. And I feel so much better this week knowing that I’ve taken some positive steps on the road to recovery.
I’ve been keeping up with my ’31 days of smiles’ Instagram challenge which is definitely helping to keep me focused on the positives as well. My favourite moment so far I think is today’s one – Sophie’s very adorable little lion roar:
Linking in with Jocelyn at the Reading Residence for Word of the Week:
That little roar is lovely! I’m so sorry you’re feeling this way but it’s great, and very positive, that you’ve taken the first steps to getting it sorted out. i wish you the very best x
Thank you – I feel a lot better for having made those first few steps x
Sorry to hear you are feeling like this, but accepting it is definitely a massive step forward and there is some great positive steps being taken now. Hope you start feeling better soon x
Thank you – taking those first few steps has helped a lot – I will get there! 🙂
Oh, I love that raw! I think acceptance is a very empowering and positive word, and it sounds like you’re getting the support that you need now, so I hope you’re feeling better soon x Thanks for sharing with #WotW
Thank you – trying to focus on the positives which is helping. Lovely to link up again 🙂
So sorry you are feeling this way but it sounds like you have made the best choice getting a little help….Good luck! x
Thanks Kim – feeling better for finally admitting the need for a bit of help x
That raw is just too cute! I’m glad that you are getting good support with your pnd, sometimes talking is all that is needed to lift a weight of your mind x #wotw
Thank you – love her little roar too. Talking is definitely helping, very glad my GP and HV are so very supportive x
Sorry to read you are feeling like this but well done on accepting you need help. I was in this position 3 and half months ago. I have just had my second CBT session and have found it has helped, however I am on medication as well, but the last month has, at last, been a good one. I hope you start to feel the cloud lift soon xx #WotW
Thank you and sorry to hear you have been struggling too but glad things are starting to get better for you. I’ve found that admitting I need some help and taking those first steps has made this week a little easier x
So great that you have been offered so much help! Good old NHS comes through sometimes! I really hope it helps you. That video – soooo cute! She’s adorable. X #wotw
Thank you – yes the NHS can be fabulous, am very lucky to have such a great GP and HV. Glad you liked the video – love her little roar 🙂
I’m so sorry that you’re feeling this way, but I think you are very brave to take that first step and ask for help. That roar is the cutest thing ever. And, loving your new gravatar 🙂
Thanks Sara – feeling much better for asking for help and that adorable little roar never fails to make me smile. Glad you like the new gravatar too – making some changes in preparation for going self-hosted! 🙂
What a gorgeous smile (and roar) your daughter has 🙂 glad this week has been better for you and hope it continues too x
Thank you – feeling better for getting some help and loving those smiles and roars too! 🙂
You are so brave in admitting this. I always wanted to go to a doctor to tell them that I am sad and not feeling really well but I am so afraid of its implications in them believing that I will still be the best mother. Autumn/winter is also the hardest times for me. I am finding it harder to find the positives when the sky is gloomy. #wotw
Thank you Merlinda – I think the worry about being judged for being a bad mother is one of the things that holds a lot of women back from admitting that they’re struggling – it was certainly one of the things that prevented me seeking help for a long time. I would definitely advise seeking help if you are struggling though – I wish I had done so sooner as I do feel like I lost some of the enjoyment of Sophie’s first year by not seeking help sooner. Autumn/winter is often a difficult time – I’ve often struggled at this time of year and with hubby being away so much at the moment, I think the combination of the two helped to bring matters to a head. It’s not been fun but I’m glad in a way as it spurred me on to get the support I needed. Hope you can manage to find the positives despite the gloomy weather x