Good luck OP!!

Anonymous wrote:Hi- I think I am ready to talk to someone about the pp anxiety I am feeling. I don't just want to go to someone I find by searching online- any suggestions for someone who helped you? TIA

I went to this doctor for the diagnosis and she was amazing - understanding, compassionate, and practical: https://www.bethesdawomensmentalhealth.com/meet-the-doctor. She can also point you to a therapist who handles women's health issues like postpartum. Unfortunately, it's really expensive - to me it was worth it though.

Start with your OB. I ended up seeing a therapist at the Maternal Wellness Center in Tenleytown.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I spoke to my GP about it and that wasn't the right place. She didn't understand and was condescending. I muddled through and it all got better around 7 months, but there was a LOT of crying and anxiety. Next postpartum period if it happens again, I will go to my OB instead. I felt weird making an OB appointment postpartum so that's why I went to my GP. I needed a referral and couldn't see a psychiatrist or psychologist on my own.

Similar experience here. My GP just wasn't equipped to help me so I just... dealt with it. Eventually the cloud lifted but I really wish I could have that time back and be able to enjoy the time with my daughter more.

This is so unfortunate to read. Seriously. Our healthcare system is so awful at dealing with mental health.

Sending you hugs OP. Good for you for making the first step. My GP was my lifesaver. She was the only one I felt like I could be completely honest with. No judgment, she helped me find solutions to get through a really tough time. Any doctor, nurse practitioner, PA, your kid’s pediatrician, anyone that you feel a connection with is a good place to start. PPD/A is so common and so beyond our control. It will get better.

Anonymous wrote:I spoke to my GP about it and that wasn't the right place. She didn't understand and was condescending. I muddled through and it all got better around 7 months, but there was a LOT of crying and anxiety. Next postpartum period if it happens again, I will go to my OB instead. I felt weird making an OB appointment postpartum so that's why I went to my GP. I needed a referral and couldn't see a psychiatrist or psychologist on my own.

Similar experience here. My GP just wasn't equipped to help me so I just... dealt with it. Eventually the cloud lifted but I really wish I could have that time back and be able to enjoy the time with my daughter more.

I started with my OB's office. When I called to make an appointment, they had my OB call me that day, and she gave me a prescription for zoloft based on our conversation, then had me follow up in person. I found a therapist on my own from my insurance list.

I hope you feel better soon--sorry you're going through this.

I spoke to my GP about it and that wasn't the right place. She didn't understand and was condescending. I muddled through and it all got better around 7 months, but there was a LOT of crying and anxiety. Next postpartum period if it happens again, I will go to my OB instead. I felt weird making an OB appointment postpartum so that's why I went to my GP. I needed a referral and couldn't see a psychiatrist or psychologist on my own.

I was ready to tell my ob. That day, I had a new nurse practitioner visiting with me instead. She ended up being the nicest person ever. So I felt even more comfortable speaking up during that visit. (Btw this was actually prenatal anxiety for my second child)

Anyways, she and I talked for a minute, and she said she had a name for me. She went out and brought back a name/number handwritten on a card. It was an excellent counselor who I met with a handful of times, and we got myself to a much better place.

So..your ob office may be able to help, even if you simply call them asking for a name.

I went to see Dr. Nicole Paras at Washington Hospital Center (covered by insurance), but--idk--the environment wan't calming, reassuring or, ultimately, helpful (to me).

She basically just referred me to some therapists for talk therapy and wrote a script for Zoloft.

I went to see a holistic therapist (Mara Benner) at Four Directions Wellness in Del Ray.

I didn't want 'talk therapy' (it has never worked for me) and I didn't want to be prescribed medication because I was still nursing.

Mara was amazing - very loving and supportive, and gave me some excellent techniques to cope with new motherhood and ease my anxiety.

If you're open to alternative therapy, she's excellent. But I don't think she's covered by insurance.

I learned that the GW Dept. of Psychiatry has a program called "5 Trimesters". It is a counseling program for folks trying to get pregnant, pregnant, and, post pregnancy. You can go 5 times. The first session is for an hour, and the next 4 are 30 minutes. It is a very reduced cost program, as you are working with Residents, under the guidance of a licensed therapist. (I don't know the official terms...all I know is this program is awesome, and really helped me when I needed it most).

It felt so so so good to just get it all OUT. Good luck and best wishes to you, you're doing the right thing by looking for help.

I'm proud of you. Dr. Emma Basch has been helpful for me.

Good for you OP. The Viva Center really helped me: www.vivapartnership.com

Hi- I think I am ready to talk to someone about the pp anxiety I am feeling. I don't just want to go to someone I find by searching online- any suggestions for someone who helped you? TIA