Some people have awful morning sickness in their first trimester. I had awful depression. It got so bad I wanted to die. I've been doing pretty well through the spring and, so far, this summer...

until now. *sighs*

I'm 8 months pregnant and I'm feeling like I'm going through my first trimester again. (
I've posted in The Dating and Relationships section ("Can pregnant women date?"), so there's a little more on there about this.

Everything seems to be overwhelming me and everything seems to stress me out to the point of tears. I feel like I'm losing my mind. *sighs* I go through everything like "I don't deserve (insert good thing here)", "I deserve (insert bad thing here)", "I can't handle this anymore", "How am I going to get everything done before she's born?" and so forth. I end up going into my room, not letting my cats in, and collapse on the bed crying.

It's been getting worse over the last few days. I'l hit these great positive points, then, as soon as they come, they're gone. I feel like I'm crazy sometimes, and I know it's mostly hormones from the pregnancy. What scares me most is that I'll end up having worse depressions post-partum. I'm on meds, but they're not as good as what I had been taking (Insurance never wants to cover what actually works for you). They just don't help as much (ADD + depression = hell).

I'm curious to know if those of you who have children, and have gone through any of this during pregnancy, ended up with post-partum depression.

How did you get through these times?

Any feedback is appreciated.

Well I'm not going to be much help here because I don't remember having to go through post-partum. Then again, my son was going through so much as it was medically, I may of been too pre-occupied to be worrying about anything else.

Anyhow, most of these feelings are hormonal and a lot of it has to do with the fact that you're going about this alone. You have to give yourself credit where credit is due. If you weren't able to accomplish everything you wanted in a day, OH WELL - You're 8 months pregnant!

Put your mind into focus and forget about everything else. Maybe you can plan out things you need to do before the baby arrives (into an agenda). Keep it into perspective. Write out each goal on an ongoing daily/weekly fashion. That way upon reviewing it, you'll notice all the things you DID accomplish and not worry so much on the things that you didn't. Make sure you add a daily treat to yourself on the lists as well - very important that you do.

Also, exercise helps. Go out for a walk - and I don't mean out for an errand; take a LEISURE walk. Sign up for some pre-natal classes for parental support and exchange. You just may meet a bunch of fun-funky ladies to hang out with and enjoy.

Take it one day at a time. Take deep breaths. Redirect your energy into something more positive. Maybe you can (learn to) knit a baby's blanket, crochet or cross-stich (a fashionable trend); or create whatever momentum for when the baby arrives; or do whatever it is that you do that makes you happy (hobby wise). Go to a book store, find some books on baby names; or subscribe to a parenting magazine; write a love letter to your baby .. whatever you can do to make this experience more exciting and fulfilling.

Eat healthy. (I won't even start on this subject or I'll never stop - but being that you say you're ADD, check out the posts in the 'Dealing with Special Needs Children' forum or the 'Food Recipes' forum that discusses food alternatives for people with ADD/ADHD .. if the meds haven't worked for you so far).

Hope this helps at least a little.
Hugs to ya!

hey loft- im going through the same thing right now, i have had depression in the past and now that im pregnant (almost 34 weeks), facing single parenthood, issues with my ex and have the hormones too, its not easy. im starting meds so i can hopefully prevent post pardum, and it doesnt help that i cant do all the things i enjoy to do anymore im not a homebody and i hate to just sit and watch tv, when my ex and i broke up before i got pregnant (should have stayed away from him after)i was out and about and didnt have time to dwell, now i have too much time, no interests, and the ones i do have i cant do cuz im pregnant and the ex to deal with, who at this point thanks to hormones i want around. so i feel for you.

Loft girl -

Miss jess has some great ideas to help you thru the depression and other issues. I never suffered from depression after my son was born but did suffer thou w/both my son and this pergnancy. It's tuff and I know where you're coming from.

I try to get out and talk friends about anything. I talk to my mom about the baby alot and my talk to my son. I taught myself how to sew clothes a few years ago so now I'm considering takeing that up again and making clothes for my new baby and matinity clothes for myself.

HUGS to you and I'm sure you will get better once the baby is born and you have that to take care of your time.

SPIRIT

HMCR: *hugs* Thanks I posted more to you in the "Can women date" in the relationships forum.

Thanks for the great ideas, miss jes & spirit.

I've been finding it hard to stay awake some days *lol* but I'm hoping to get more paintings done for my little girls future bedroom (I'm in a 1 bedroom now, but will hopefully be moving into a 2 when my lease is up in December). I've thought of learning how to knit or crochet... hmmm. I would love to make her a blanket. I'll have to look into that.

I never really though about there being a connection between ADD and food. *shakes head* With all the reading I've done on ADD... Anyway... I'll definitely check out those forums.