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Questions & Answers:
Post Natal Depression..?
Q: I am a thirty year old mother of
two. About two months after the birth of my second daughter, I
started having difficulty falling asleep at night. Many nights I
would go to bed between 10 and 11pm and not fall asleep until 2-3am.
I didn't think much about this until I had two consecutive nights
where I could not fall asleep at all, then I slept a night, and then
two more consecutive nights of not sleeping. By the fifth day I was
an emotional wreck. Since then, I have been on medication
(clonazepam) and do sleep most nights.
I have talked to several doctors and
therapists about this and I still feel like I don't have a
diagnosis. Before my sleeplessness started, I wouldn't say I felt
particularly anxious, although I was a bit stressed out with the
demands of two kids. Since this has started, I would definitely say
that I am anxious about sleep itself, worried that I won't be able
to fall sleep and that it will cause me to be depressed. I do have
big fears about not being able to care for my children due to this
thing (whatever it is), and have experienced some breathing
difficulties.
Sorry to be so long winded, but I am
wondering if this is most likely a post- partum hormonal reaction or
if you have any thoughts on post-partum anxiety in general. Also, I
would very much like to be drug-free ( I have been on meds for about
four months now). My doctor seems to think that as time goes on my
confidence will increase and I will cut back a little at a time. Any
thoughts on getting off of medication?
A: Thank you for your email. We are not able to diagnose
as you would understand, but this can be a very common problem
within the general community as well as a problem with new mothers.
In reading your email it sounds as if the problem may revolve around
this paragraph:
'I would definitely say that I am anxious about sleep itself,
worried that I won't be able to fall sleep and that it will cause me
to be depressed. I do have big fears about not being able to care
for my children due to this thing (whatever it is), and have
experienced some breathing difficulties.'
The more anxious we are about not getting enough sleep the less
sleep we get. Add to that the fear of becoming depressed and not
being able to look after your children and everything becomes ten
time worse.
You have had the experience of not being able to sleep and the
effects it created which in turn is serving as a very powerful model
for your fear and anxiety. This is only making you more vulnerable
to the anxiety and sleeping problems.
We advise people to learn how to meditate. Even if you don't
meditate during the day, you can use the meditation technique to put
yourself to sleep at night. People report having the best sleep they
have ever had when they do this. It would also be beneficial for you
to meditate during the day for 20 minutes as this will help to bring
your anxiety levels down thereby reducing your overall stress
levels.
The essential oil of lavender can also be helpful. A couple of
drops on your pillow does help to induce sleep.
Most importantly and this is the difficult part, you need to work
with your thinking. The more you think about it the worse you become
because all you are doing is fueling the whole cycle. We teach
people to accept what it happening and the bottom line is if you
can't sleep, you can't sleep. Worrying that you can't sleep,
worrying about the consequences will only keep you awake. Worrying
during the day, 'What if I can't sleep' will guarantee you won't
sleep that night. When you can lose your fear of not sleeping and
you can say to yourself 'so what', you will go to sleep, because you
break the cycle.
Re the medication, you will need to withdraw slowly under
supervision of your doctor. If you learn to meditate this can help
as your withdraw.
Have you spoken with a Sleep Disorders Clinic? Some universities
have them also some public and /or private hospitals. They may be
able to assist you.
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