pregnancy and anti-depressants

[becks]

Hi all, I am in need of some advice, a very close friend has just had her world turned upside down, her fiance has broken up with her (wedding was sept this year) and she's discovered she's five weeks pregnant. She has been on anti-depressants for a couple of years (don't know which ones) and has had to come off them for the baby's sake. She says everything is pointless and is very scared of being alone, termination isn't an option. The flat is her other half's so she also has nowhere to live. I just wondered if anyone had any adivde about anything she can take, I've done some research and had thought of st john's wort but that's not suitable. She's very very down, the break up is one thing but to cope with that and the baby, and coming off anti-depressants all at once, she's a mess. can anyone offer any pratical advice, i'm a bit worried.

[woofgang]

yes, you or she could phone the samaritans for help and practical advice today. She could also go to whoever prescribed the anti depressants and ask for help there, asking to be referred to the local adult mental health team. I understand that the hormone changes caused by pregnancy can make emotional problems worse. Is she haveing regular antenatal checkups and is there anyone in her antenatal team who she feels that she can talk to?

[molly]

I agree with woofgang, but I would also suggest that there's no substitute for the constant support of reliable friends and relatives.Keep encouraging her as much as you can, and if possible enlist the support of others close to her as well. Hang in there, she'll get through this eventually. good luck.

[Tat]

you will be a help to her but she should really get some professional help - seeing a shrink or someone similar may help. coming off anti-depressants is horrible. especially as she will have done it 'cold turkey'. it took me months of very slowly cutting down the dose and i still suffered terrible physical withdrawel symtoms as i'd been on them for years. be there for her and repeatedly let her know you are. i don't think there is anything she can take while pregnant/breastfeeding so it's just a matter of helping her get through the next few months til she can go back on them. support her and try and get her some professional too. good luck.

[becks]

Hi all, thanks for the answers, i am trying to be there as much as i can, i just feel that it's not enough! She's only five weeks gone so hasn't had any check ups or anything and has few friends.I think you're right tat that it has been made worse by having no idea she was going to come off them and has had to just stop taking them, i'm just so concerned about her that i worry she'll do herself or the baby damage - not deliberately or anything, but she's not really eating, still smoking etc... thanks for the good luck messages tho x