How did you distinguish prenatal depression?

Hi everyone! I'm 19, currently 11weeks pregnant and so excited for my baby! It's been a healthy pregnancy, and I have an amazing partner who supports me. So ultimately, it feels like I "should" be feeling better than I do. I have bpd, and have dealt with anxiety and other mental health issues for years. But with treatment and time, I learned to cope and live a happy life. Recently though, I've been struggling a lot emotionally and while I recognize that is just part of pregnancy, I've been getting a little worried that it may be progressing into prenatal depression. My main concern is feeling incredibly withdrawn and uninterested in things that used to make me happy. When should I start to worry? If you experienced this, when did you recognize the signs? And any advice is welcome, I just feel a little lost and confused here
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Hi, pregnancy can sure cause a surge in anxiety symptoms and lead you to withdraw from the world and activities that you used to enjoy. The first step is to talk to your midwife or doctor about it. They’re trained and very experienced in spotting the signs of prenatal depression and anxiety. Just bring it up as soon as possible and they’ll have the resources to diagnose you and help you feel better 🤍

It’s not necessarily a part of pregnancy but it can happen more often when you already have mental health issues. It does happen though I had postnatal with my first and then postpartum depression. I did seek help during pregnancy early on but it took years to find the right medication. Therapy was helpful some. I would say talk to your ob but you should also speak to a psychiatrist since they would be more helpful with medication management. I was feeling the way you’re describing when I started to realize it. I know it’s hard but try to get out and do things still, get as much sunlight as you can. If you like putting make up on do that just little things and reach out to your village for support. If you’re in the us I believe all states have a program when you’re pregnant and for the first year of your baby’s life a nurse regularly visits you to help with whatever and teach you safe sleep things like that. They provide diapers too but more than anything they’ll help you through this

The only real way to know if bringing up your concerns and questions / feelings & thoughts to your doctors & therapist (: It is normal tho to feel a lot of feelings as you transition into motherhood tho. Hormones are doing things they’ve never done in your body before, it’ll level out eventually but if you’re ever second guessing yourself or feeling like extra support is needed; just bring it up to your health care team 🫶🏼

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