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[For more information about the study or to take part, please go to the study website: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/contextual]

I am a Trainee Clinical Psychologist at the University of Hertfordshire conducting a research project looking at what factors might be related to the ways in which people process and manage thoughts and emotions, and how this then relates to the psychological distress (e.g. feeling low, anxious) people experience. I am looking for people to participate in the study - both people who have and have not experienced psychological / mental health difficulties.

The project is an online questionnaire study and should take no longer than 20-30 minutes to complete. All responses are completely anonymous. It is hoped that this research will help towards gaining a better understanding of what contributes to psychological distress and how best to help people with mental health difficulties.

For more information about the study or to take part, please go to the study website: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/contextual

Many thanks in advance; your participation really is greatly appreciated.

Please note that this study has been given full ethical approval by the University of Hertfordshire's School of Psychology's Ethics Committee (REF: PSY/07/10/JC).

[For more information about the study or to take part, please go to the study website: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/contextual]

I am a Trainee Clinical Psychologist at the University of Hertfordshire conducting a research project looking at what factors might be related to the ways in which people process and manage thoughts and emotions, and how this then relates to the psychological distress (e.g. feeling low, anxious) people experience. I am looking for people to participate in the study - both people who have and have not experienced psychological / mental health difficulties.

The project is an online questionnaire study and should take no longer than 20-30 minutes to complete. All responses are completely anonymous. It is hoped that this research will help towards gaining a better understanding of what contributes to psychological distress and how best to help people with mental health difficulties.

For more information about the study or to take part, please go to the study website: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/contextual

Many thanks in advance; your participation really is greatly appreciated.

Please note that this study has been given full ethical approval by the University of Hertfordshire's School of Psychology's Ethics Committee (REF: PSY/07/10/JC).

even more. If you have a fighting spirit and know youll fight your hardest to conquer lifes demons then go for it. Youve done it all ready twice, you can do it! they do say face your fears, dont let this horrible illness stop you from furfilling your dreams, yes you could get ill again but so long as you know its worth the risk and youll be a fighter then dont let anything stop you. Goodluck and please keep us updated.

i has pp 4 years ago, because of circumstances at the time ie homeless and my mum being murdered while pregnant i opted for adoption, however every single day i miss my baby and think about him all the time. Im still on anti psychotics, clopixal and now have a roof over my head and stability which is making me crave motherhood all the time. The way i see it is we are struck with the worst illness possible thus why should we have to live in fear and not forfill our dreams, thats just punishing our selfs.

Hello Peggy,

It took me a total of 2 years to fully recover from pp. My son is 3 years old now and I am still having re-lapses on and off. I was med free for 6 months and recently (last month) got stressed and went high and experienced a mild psychotic episode so I am now back on a very small dose of medication (olanzapine). I completely understand where you are coming from about the medication. It makes me feel lethargic and makes me gain weight too.

We are going to wait until around the time our son is going to start school before we consider having another baby. Stress definitively effects my symptoms and can cause me to experience weird things and give me panic attacks. I have been told by professionals that there is a 99% chance that i would get pp if I had another baby.

Maybe taking to the psychiatrist will be good for you. Just remember its important that you are well and mentally in a fit state before trying for another baby. If I'm honest, I don't think having another baby is something you should rush into without lots of thought. Forgive me for saying so, but like you I've had pp and on top of the whole stress of having a baby having pp really is horrendous!

My worry would be that I end up having psychotic symptoms when pregnant and then having to take medication which I would really strongly disagree with, but I'm not sure of the chances of this happening.

I'm sure whatever you decide will be the right decision for you and your family.

Regards S x

Hello
It has been 2 and a half years since I gave birth to my daughter and then suffered with pp 6 weeks later. I was admitted to a mental hospital for the first 2 nights which was horrific and then moved to a mother and baby unit for 6 weeks. I was sectioned under the mental health act. The whole experience was traumatic for myself, my husband and my parents who were all very supportive. My husband was under huge stress as he had to manage his business (he runs a garage), every day come and see me and our baby who was very demanding at that time, taking over her care as soon as he walked through the door, and coping with our teenage daughter. My recovery felt slow and I put on weight due to increase in appetite from the medication which made me feel even less confident.
Last year in October I had a relapse probably caused by stress and sleepless nights worrying about our teenage daughter for various reasons. Up till then I had actually been feeling fine and had lost weight too. So now I am back on orlanzapine. I dont like it as it makes me sleepy and lethargic but I am coping ok. My teenager left school and now lives with my Mum where she has started school and is doing well. She is 17 and a half.
We originally wanted to have 2 children close together in age because they could play together. Now I am considering the options for getting pregnant again. My heart says do it, my head says no!!! My husband is not keen. I could only realisticly consider it with his support and that of my parents as I would want them to help so that I could rest in the latter stages of pregnancy and after the birth. I have been told there is a 50% chance of me getting ill again after another birth. I am meant to be on my meds until spring next year so I am thinking wait till then, then see how we feel. I have an appointment to discuss with the psychiatrist soon. What do people think?     

Hi Fiona,

I know exactly how you feel having had psychosis 10 months ago. I too have had severe anxiety and depression as a result but now this is getting much better due to taking antidepressants. I didn't want to take any medication either but I got so bad I knew I had to and now I am glad I did. Also talking about your fears with health professional can help alot. Take care.
Laura

Thanks I feel more confident to go and speak to a health professional now, I have a camhs appointment soon and cbt, so hopefully things will get better. I'm also on sertraline 50mg but don't feel any effect

and was put on setraline, it had completly changed my life for the better. I think the fact your consious something isnt right you may not have pp, but def go to the doctors to talk, pref thoses specialising in mental health. Stay stron your baby needs his/her mummy! and maybe look up sexual obsessive complusive disorder as it will show you plenty of people who experience simular meaningless thoughts. Goodluck and face your fears, avoiding them will make them stronger, xxx

Hi honey, dont worry about thoses thoughts your having they mean nothing about you as a parson it is just your worst fear thus its playing on your mind. I had pp about 4 years ago and i thought everyone, even women where peodophiles and got very agrressive and was severly psychotic. After leaving hospital i still had thoughts simular to yours although my psychosis had gone.It tore me apart and put me close to suicide, but after having the courage to speak up to health proffesionals i found out i had ocd