Depressionen = Depression
March 16, 2011 | 12,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Ralf Berg
Hello,
I have been suffering from depression since the birth of my daughter 4 years ago. They started very suddenly and very strongly exactly 4 weeks after giving birth.
Additionally, I often feel like everything is unreal. I can't really describe it.
I also often have circulation problems, headaches, nausea, and am constantly tired and often irritable. There are also times when I feel great!
I became pregnant again and had another child. During the pregnancy, I felt great the whole time! No signs of depression. I wonder if it might be related to my thyroid or hormones that I have during pregnancy but not so much otherwise? I am currently hesitant to go to the doctor because I am not sure if he will understand me correctly and what he can do. I am afraid of being labeled as crazy!
I saw my doctor 4 years ago and it was a very negative experience!
Greetings
Dear patient,
It is understandable that one may be hesitant to go back to a place where they have had negative experiences. However, I do think that you need to see a doctor. Currently, at least 2 doctors are involved in your care. So, either go to your gynecologist or your primary care physician, wherever you have not had negative experiences.
You openly express concerns about your thyroid function not being sufficient, which is not uncommon during pregnancy. This can easily be checked through a blood test. If this is ruled out, you can have some relief. If it is indeed an underactive thyroid, it can generally be easily treated with medication. This is also very important for the development of your unborn child, so for that reason alone, you must seek medical attention.
Secondly, I advise you to also mention your fear of experiencing mental health problems again. The fear of mental illnesses is still very high today. In the past, the only therapy was to admit the affected individuals to an insane asylum and keep them there. However, this is no longer the case today! In your own interest, seek a referral to a psychiatrist/psychotherapist so that a specialist can examine and classify your symptoms. You can be sure that this professional will not label you as crazy. Mental symptoms during pregnancy or shortly thereafter are common. They are usually caused by hormonal fluctuations and often disappear or improve afterwards. Additionally, there are many ways to treat depression and alleviate symptoms today. I suspect that you did not adequately seek this help after your first pregnancy. In addition to medication, targeted psychotherapeutic interventions can also lead to significant improvements. However, the first step is not to be ashamed, but to embrace it just as you would with the examination of your thyroid.
If you do not feel comfortable going alone, perhaps ask your husband to accompany you to the doctor's appointments.
I hope I have given you enough courage and motivation to take control now.
With kind regards,
Dr. R. Berg
