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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Do I have postnatal depression?

    Related Topics
    Depression Mental Health Postnatal Depression
    I'm 19 and have a 2 and a half year old. I had my child at 16 and ever since I fell pregnant I have felt angry and I don't know what at. I don't feel angry at my child and don't regret having him. He is the only thing I'm not angry at. I have ago at his dad all the time and he leaves me all the time. He's had enough of it. I just feel angry and hurt all the time and I have no idea why! Please someone help me I ain't live my life like this please :'(
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    Beverley Aronstan

    Psychologist

    I am a registered psychologist with many years of counselling experience in the field of relationships and fertility issues. In particular my focus is on … View Profile

    It is hard to assess whether you have post natal depression as syptoms of anger could be related to other things in your environment such as isolation, lack of support lack of social support and financial strain.
    It is however important for you to speak to a health professional about your syptoms and have a history taken of when they first occurred the frequency of them. Also do you have any other syptoms such as sleep disturbance, increased or decreased appetitie confused thoughts and poor memory tearfulness and feelings of worthlessness guilt and restlessness.Do you feel less motivated to do the things you used to enjoy? Are you frequently tired out for no good reason?
    If you are diagnosed with post natal depression it is easily treated with the right intervention.
    Please get help with someone who will believe you and give you the right help such as a GP or psychologist/psychiatrist.

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    Jennifer Grant

    Psychologist

    New practice opened Feb 2018. Seewebsite www.coffspsychneuro.com.au I'm passionate about working with people from all walks of life to help them create a more vital, … View Profile

    Beverley has made some good suggestions. And I strongly support her recommendation that you tell your GP what’s going on for you.
    I’m not sure giving you a diagnosis like “post natal depression” or even “depression” would help alleviate your suffering. Asking for help though is a great first step. Having a child at 16 was probably not the life you planned, no matter how wonderful your child is. I’m guessing your life journey was unexpectedly switched from independent teenager to motherhood. Hurt and anger seem to me like perfectly natural responses. Anger often sits close by fear and uncertainty – being a mother is scary! And hard work, stressful, exhausting. Hurt, sadness and sorrow arise when we lose something; in your case, maybe you’re experiencing the loss of the life you imagined.
    Feelings are important. They tell us stuff that our rational mind isn’t so good at figuring out. Specifically what that is in your case, you could work through with a good therapist.
    The thing about feelings is that, while it’s important to notice them and explore what they mean for us, they don’t get to control our actions or our speech. We can feel anger, and not lash out. Don’t believe me just because I say so – check your own experience – have there been times when you’ve felt angry and not lashed out?
    My heart goes out to you. This pain and suffering seems unbearable. Pain in life is inevitable. Suffering is optional. If this idea intrigues you (or annoys the heck out of you!), you might consider working with a psychologist using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. You can find one in the therapist listings at actmindfully.com.au.

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    Mark McHugh

    Clinical Psychologist, Psychologist

    It sounds like you have got quite a degree of anger about some aspect of your life that you are maybe projecting on her husband. That is not necessarily postnatal depression.
    What I would suggest is asking you a lot more questions in regard to understanding the basis of the anger: What your life is like with the child. How your life has changed since you have had the child.
    Then about having your life change so significantly, how that has made you feel about your life and about the balance of it, particularly in the relationship as well.
    This will open up a lot more questions for me about understanding what is going on, the basis of the anger, because it does not sound to me like it is postnatal depression.

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    Dr Adaobi Udechuku

    Psychiatrist

    Dr Adaobi Udechuku is an Australian Perinatal Psychiatrist practising in Berwick, Malvern and Mount Waverley. She is Co-Founder and Director of GLOW Clinic http://www.glowclinic.com.au and … View Profile

    In addition to the helpful posts and suggestions from others I agree that seeking help from your GP and then if needed a psychiatrist or psychologist is important.  Given that your anger started with your pregnancy, seeing someone with pregancy and postpartum mental health expertise is a good idea.  

    I would also encourage you to reach out to your support networks for support - family and friends, mother's group you maternal and child health nurse.

    Psychiatrists can be found through the College of Psychiatrists database Find a Psychaitrists

    https://www.ranzcp.org/Mental-health-advice/find-a-psychiatrist.aspx

    Psychologists through the Australian Psychological Society database

    http://www.psychology.org.au/FindaPsychologist/?utm_source=Homepage&utm_medium=Sidebar%2BTile&utm_campaign=FaP

    Both psychiatrist or psychologist though Perinatal Anxiety and Depresison Australia's PANDA National Helpline Mon to Fri, 10am - 5pm AEDT 1300 726 306 

    http://www.panda.org.au

    I hope that is helpful, all the best.

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