I am curious as I have had depression more or less my whole life, and am now in a position where I am thinking about children, but am scared.
208681
Hi,\nI had the same worries as you during my pregnancies, I asked at the hospital and was given various leaflets, most of them contained the following paragraph, suggesting there is a link between previous depressive episodes and post natal depression.\n   The first time I did experience post natal depression but because I was prepared for it I had spoken with the doctor and health visitor and I had quite a lot of support to help me cope.\nThe second time, I was not affected much at all.   I'm sure if you plan and prepare for all eventualities you will be fine.\n\nPostnatal depression is common; it has been estimated to affect 13% of women in the first year following the birth of their child (70,000 women annually in the UK)2.\nRisk Factors There are numerous risk factors, which include:\n\nPast history of depression / postnatal depression \nPoor social support \nLack of a confiding relationship \nUnemployment of partner \nAdverse life events eg bereavement \nPoor relationship with own mother \nPresentation
666888
What you're experiencing is very normal. It will be with you the rest of your life. Unless you decide that once and for all those slimeballs are not going to ruin it for you!\n\nI'm speaking from a perspective very like yours. There's a certain former boyscout master who I dreamed of- well, hurting BADLY so he won't have any such thoughts again- for a very long time. And this piece of filth used other kids too. However, he would do well to avoid his former haunts now!\n\nThese days I am now happily married, and while I have no kids of my own I get to enjoy spoiling my pets and my nephews.
359141
Yes I have, when I was depressed.  Don't worry about whether or not it's a sin - you've got other things to sort out.
118461
Some would say that even one time a day is dangerous.  But, since I am currently dealing with a bout of depression myself, perhaps I can help here.  Lately, I find myself thinking more, and more about what it would be like if I was not around anymore.  I used to pretty much welcome death.  I would say I am not afraid to die because I have already lived a full life.  That was until a few weeks ago.  My best friend from college died from natural causes.  It really hit me hard.  He was the first person I had known that was my same age that died.  It made me take stock of my own life.  It made me see that I HAD NOT lived a full life yet.  True, I still am depressed, but it took the death of my best friend to show me how precious life really is.  I am not even sure if You are thinking about suicide, or you were asking for somebody else.  If you are thinking this way, let me tell beg of you, don't give in to your feelings and try to end your life.  You may not realize it now, but there really is so much to live for.  It is good that you are at least taking about the subject with other people.  It is more worrysome if you keep your emotions bottled up inside.  If you feel comfortable, try to takl things out with your friends.  If you don't want to talk to them, you can always email me. jam961@yahoo.com  I am willing to listin to you if you need to vent.  Always remember, you are not alone in depression.  It affects more people than you realize.  I wish you the best of luck, I hope you can find peace without thinking of killing yourself anymore.  When things get rough, remember you have friends here at yahoo answers.
421339
No.When I was in my late teens I was suicidal all the time,and deeply depressed.I had no family at all in this world.I felt I had nothing to live for and no focus in my life.I always lacked affection.At one point totally starved of affection I felt if someone gave me a hug I would break down completely.I had my children at 21 and 22.They give me all the love and affection I need and more.
631632
I think that there are times when everyone has suffered with self esteem issues.  Focus on the things that you are great at and when these negative thoughts come into your head, put them aside immediately.  Recognize them for what they are, depression, and while you may feel this way, understand that they are not Representative of you as a whole.  Are you a good wife?  A good citizen?  Compassionate?  The more you stress about it the worse it will get.  Obviously you are loved and good enough for your husband or he would not have married you right?  Also don't give up on doctors.  Keep going until you can find someone that can help you.  Don't give up, the first major hurdle is recognizing your feelings, and that you don't want to feel this way.  Recognition is a very important step in the healing and getting well process.  My family has a history of depression.  My grandfather, mother, sister, and myself.  In the females our depressive state had a lot to do with hormone imbalance.  My hormones have been wacky my whole life, thus it leads to imbalances elsewhere.  Get a complete medical check-up, if you haven't already, including blood tests, thyroid tests, hormone tests, etc.  Rule out the medical side first, and then go from there.  You should find a good internalist to help you with these tests.  Mostly realize that you are not alone, your husband loves you, and there are many support groups out there to help you.  The best thing is to keep talking about it, don't try to do this alone.  There is no need too.  Confidence is a great thing, but more important is a sense of self and a peace of mind. There are different levels of confidence, don't try to make yourself something that you are not. If you are a passive person by nature, then you will never be as outgoing as people who are aggressive.  The most important thing is to find the level of self esteem and what your definition of confidence is.  Don't give up you are loved by many and have a purpose in this life.  Maybe your path is to teach others that it is okay to talk about depression and not keep it in the closet. It is nothing to be ashamed of.  Your confidence may come with helping others who are in the same boat, or worse then you.  Keep on trucking, you can do it.
534609
This is a drawback of having kids later in life, you just don't always have the energy. Tell your GP you need anti depressants.\nThen go from there, you have to get yourself feeling better first.
351042
I'm 24 and been diagnosed with depression, waiting to see a psychiatrist pretty sure I have some kind of anxiety problem too. I didn't realise that they go together well before I went.\n\nIf you want a chat I'm here as I hardly get out much lol
99509
I think there's always been a high incidence of depression among teens.  Being a teenager is a really hard time.  Your body and your mind are still immature, and you're extremely restricted in your choices and ability to support yourself, but you have this sense of wanting to break away and develop as your own person.  This feeling along with the hormones that rage out of control during hormones manifest themselves as a lot of frustration and depression.\n\nBut we're starting to hear a lot more about clinical depression now.  Before, parents used to just assume their children were in a nasty mood or they had a bad attitude.  But now that it's been proven that clinical depression is a chemical imbalance and not just a bad attitude, parents much more inclined to seek medical attention for their children than to tell them to just suck it up for fear that something tragic may happen.\n\nIt does get easier though, so stick it out.  I'd give better advice if I knew what you were depressed about (hint hint)
43987
You may be depressed already and have been for some time and you may not have realized it yet. You sound to me like your zeal for life is very low. That is a symptom of depression. Do you sleep too much or not eat even if you're hungry? There are several warning signs of Depression and a lot of us don't realize them. You're detached and that tells me perhaps you are afraid of getting close to people and of special occassions because you don't want to be hurt or disappointed. I would seek counseling if I were you. There's no shame in it and it doesn't mean your "mental" or that you'll be doing thorazine and weaving baskets, it means there is a chemical imbalance in your system/brain. Millions of people suffer from depression and there are good treatments with relatively few side affects. You may only need counseling. You are losing out on life, Honey and the people that love you will understand. Talk to them! Let them know that you're considering treatment and I'm sure they'll support you and don't let your anxiety get the best of you. Identify the problem, take steps to solve it. Good luck, and have a Happy, Happy Valentine's Day for once! =)
241926
No, i'm afraid i'm not, deep in my heart of hearts. I can't seem to completely shake the predjudice i was taught as a child.  There is still a little voice somewhere in my head that reminds me at times. I guess the important thing is to honestly try and not give up on attempts to banish ones' prejudices, being aware that others probably have intolerances toward us too. More knowledge is needed.
74055
Hello! Am not sure whether I have suffered from clinical depression but there were times where I have been very depressed. Have never taken any medication but to talk during psychotherapy has helped me a great deal. Never wanted to talk to anyone else neither but, well, sometimes they noticed it and I did not want to be a burden to them. I suppose feeling depressed can become a kind of comfort zone and one needs to break out of the cycle and stop telling oneself that one must feel depressed. Like others, I think it is very important for you to explore why you are feeling this way. Does it come from a lack of self-esteem? Does your past sometimes catch up on you? The source below might help you to cope with the depression better but, yes, I think as well that you should talk to a professional about how you are feeling. Please take very good care!
161043
I am not sure that this will be of any help (i am only 13) but maybe if you knew what first caused her depression (a death? a divorce?) it could help her but trying to convince her that her children (or any one close to her) are sad because of her depression could make it worse because she will feel guilty.  This is only what I think and may not be true, but I hope it helps you and your family!
199305
what do you do as a job? i found that i had to change my attitude in a lot of different areas of my life. i don't know exactly what i'd suggest for you since i'm not sure what type of work you do. are you religious at all? that is something i got away from and i found myself sinking deeper and deeper into anger and despair. have you talked to your doctor about it? i have had to stay on an antidepressant. my family has a history of depression. sometimes we just have chemicals in our brains that are out of whack. it is hard to deal with life if your brain isn't working properly. i have made myself always look on the bright side. i dont' know you, but as a starter, you can be happy that you have a roof over your head and at least some type of employment. i honestly know how you feel. please don't consider killing yourself. i don't know how many times i made passive/aggressive attempts to harm myself. i was wreckless and i did not care at all. it's an awful feeling. i really suggest you talk to a doctor. psychological sickness is the same as physical sickness. some people do not understand that. there are methods to heal yourself. please talk to someone. i'll say a prayer for you.
431237
Yes, most definitely. What concerns me now is that you ask "if GOING through something traumatic".......which indicates to me you are still in the middle of this traumatic event. i would strongly suggest talking to a professional to begin helping you while you are going through this. I have been through it and it is painful to be in the middle and to suffer. Please take good care of yourself.
138665
I used to be but am not anymore. Due to some life traumas. But when I was i never really felt anything on-line just when I met people person to person. Usually a crowding of feelings that weren't mine. Worries that weren't mine. Like I would worry about my grandfather but then i would realize it is the person next to me because both MY grandfathers are dead. Little things like that. One time I was in a testing facility for HS and I felt so bad that I had to get out of the building. It was suffocating with around 200 kids all worried about tests they were taking.\nMost people write all this off as claustrophobia due to crowds but I know different. Doesn't matter to me though cause I don't need their approval or acceptance. Oh and you WILL get religious or God talk on here. Sorry there is no stopping them.\nOh and I have never met another empathic because I grew up in a small southern town so I just kept my thoughts to myself.
479013
i had my first kid when i was 18 i was not scarred at all some people just like the idea of haveing kids or they might be scared but is just not saying anything but is is normal to be scared with being pregnant