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11111 View Drop Down
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    Posted: 21 February 2008 at 12:12pm
Ok so after a month or so of outting it off I went ot the doc yesterday and been put back on my med's and refered to maternal mental health. Just wondering form other what to expect is it the same as the normal mental health stuff or differnt. I am really worried, but know i have done the rigth thing getting the support stuff in place before I have baby. Doctor said I should have been under them towards the end of my pregancy with Mikey except I ingnored it and did not go about the PND till Mikey was 6 month's old.
Anyway sorry for the ramble The whole mental health system scares me so much after the expirences with my Mum si I am really worried as to what happen's now and what is involved. Thank's.
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Redbedrock View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Redbedrock Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 February 2008 at 1:24pm
I was referred to them when Fay was 10 weeks old,and finally saw them when whe was 5 months old!!!! But that said, I found them really good, it was fine tweaking of my meds to get them to work best for me, looking at other ways for me to focus my mind, lots of support groups to get in touch with, One particularly helped, called Mother's Network, I have made some excellent firends and support networks with them. Also really good free psychotherapy for 6 weeks.
It was a big thing for me, as I felt just being referred to a mental health resource confirmed my fears that I was going mad, but it taught me to be so proactive about my mental health. I can self refer back to them at any time, so IF there is a next time, I will speak to the psychiatrist before I hit the lows like I did at 30 weeks with Fay. But I also know it is luck really some people get PND with every birth some with their first and some with their 10th
Go for it I say, it can't do any harm at all

The thing that really surprised me was that it was separate from the adult mental health facilities, so I wasn't worrying about sitting in the waiting area with potential dangers, Fay was safe and it was a really child friendly area.

Hope it goes well for you

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kels Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 February 2008 at 6:17pm

I found MMH Awesome!!! Very supportive and providing a great service. I was referred at 22wks preg and not seen till 34wks but the waiting lists in Welly are horrendous. As Clare said they help with therapy as well as helping find the best meds treatment if needed. I was also lucky enough to have homevisits once Alize was born. I also found the link between my MMH and my GP great as the GP was always checking on me too...

Great for taking the first step and asking for help, I found that the hardest!!


Busy mum to Miss 15yrs, Miss 10yrs and Master 4yrs
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shorty Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 February 2008 at 7:50pm
That is great that you have taken this step :)
I found MMH to be a total support team! The ladies were all very caring and supportive of me & DH!
I was referred when T was 3 weeks old. I also found the link between GP & MMH fantastic.
There was also a great link with Plunket, I was sent on a course for mums with PND. Very hard to get myself there but worth it in the long run.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 11111 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 February 2008 at 9:04pm
thank's ladies good to hear good stuff about it. So pleased to know it is sepreate from the adult system that is prob my biggest worry.   Clare that is what worries me too feeling now stuk in the mental health system really confirm's alot of my fear's.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Redbedrock Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 February 2008 at 9:15pm
Yeah i have worked in adult mantal health facilities in and out patient and the thought terrified me, that I would be sitting there with all these people (you really meet all sorts of people in the units). I also worried that I would meet someone I knew and they would put 2 and 2 together and come up with 600, whereas the MMH unit was really private and because it is very specialised it would be obvious why I was there.
I am reassured knowing that while I won't be discharged I have a resource to fall back on if I find the road a bit rocky again. For me I feel that I am coming to the end of this journey, I plan to come off my meds starting 1st March and feel normal again I miss feeling excited about things, you know getting the highs as well as the lows, everything feels just on an even keel at the moment.
good luck Deb, hope it works out for you. Feel free to ask questions
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 11111 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 February 2008 at 9:40pm
Thank's heap's chick I am feeling pretty gutted about the whole thing my Mum is in and out of the system an of course my biggest fear is turning out like her I know deep down I won't, but to me this just put's me one step closer to her if that makes scence oh and psychiatrist scare the crap out of me
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JadeC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 February 2008 at 10:19pm
It's not always seperate from mainstream adult mental health services, for instance if you come under Auckland district health board it is seperate, but if you come under Counties Manukau DHB then they are in with the mainstream services.

And honestly, mental health services are not that scary, I know because I work in one. So often they are just normal people like you and I, who are having difficulties at the moment, I think the media conditions us to think otherwise but it really isn't that bad.

Sounds like you're doing a really good thing getting further help, it's so tough to try and fight this kind of thing on your own, sometimes you need allies. It takes a lot of strength to ask for help, so you are doing well. Also, if you're worried or nervous, you can always take a support person with you.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Maya Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 February 2008 at 11:07am
Eek, MMH must be REALLy worried about me lol, they called the other day and brought my appt forward to next week, apparently they weren't so keen to hear that I had stopped taking my meds . The meds were making me too sleepy tho.

Good on you for taking the step Deborah. I am doing the same as you, taking a pro active approach to this pregnancy/baby to hopefully try and avoid the issues I had after the gremlins were born (attachment/bonding probs, anxiety, feeling detached etc.).

I guess I'm lucky (I use that word loosely!) that for me there isn't really a stigma attached to the term 'mental health'. I've had 'mental health issues' since I was a teenager and have been on and off medication and in and out of treatment for depression and anxiety for 10+ years so I've come to terms with the fact that having a few "issues" doesn't mean I'm not a normal person, it just means I need a bit of help sometimes. And to be honest, sometimes I feel more normal than a lot of people who don't have "issues"
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 11111 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 February 2008 at 11:14am
Emma I won't really say that is was a stigma issue for me I think it is more cause of my Mum tend's to bring up alot of other feeling as well. I don't belive there is any shame in needing help.   And I totlly agree it does not mean we are not normal people. Hope your appt goes well Emma.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Maya Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 February 2008 at 11:23am
Yours too!
I must admit that one of my biggest fears is that I will slowly lose the plot more and more and end up as some space cadet, high maintenance mum with adult kids who blame me for making them screwed up!
Maya Grace (28/02/03)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 11111 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 February 2008 at 11:34am
Originally posted by Maya Maya wrote:

Yours too!
I must admit that one of my biggest fears is that I will slowly lose the plot more and more and end up as some space cadet, high maintenance mum with adult kids who blame me for making them screwed up!

LOL you just described my Mother.
No Emma don't see that happening to you at all you seem far too stubborn in a good way to let that happen. On a warm fuzzies note you really are and I only know from your post's an amazing woman who has made a great life fou you and your family despite the odd's. You are deffintly someone who can inspire and encourage.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Maya Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 February 2008 at 11:54am
Awww, I'm gonna cry, that is so sweet
Maya Grace (28/02/03)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 11111 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 February 2008 at 4:35pm
Aww was not ment to make you cry.
Well I was expecting after reading this that I would be waiting ages to hear anything well no not here in NP I got a phone call from them jsut now and on the other end was this very broad scottish male voice. I have an appt on the 4th of march Very scarey really hoping I not seeing him cause I would never be understand a word he say's and I am half scottish. So now I have just over a week to freak out. Oh and it is in the main adult mental health ward.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Maya Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 February 2008 at 8:34pm
Oooh that's soon! My appt is 7th March. I have to take the feral gremlins with me coz the nanny isn't here on a Fri but I did warn the lady and she said they're used to it. I'm not 100% convinced they know what they're getting into, they haven't MET the gremlins yet lol!

You prob won't see the scottish guy, it's usually the nurses that call you and then you see the doctors.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 11111 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 February 2008 at 10:10pm
oh phew casue he sounded too scarey for me. As for my boy's will prb have to take alan cause kindy pick up is just before appt and hospital is that end of town, but he will be fine funny I will actually feel better havign him with me except for the waiting room bit then I worry about aving him with me if that makes scence. Thank's so muc hfro the advice and stff ladies reallt aprciate it.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote maysie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 February 2008 at 11:13pm
I agree Emma - because of my experiences with my 'mental health issues' I reckon I know how to deal with things a lot better than some of my 'normal' friends! One of them is constantly coming to me for advice, she reads a lot of self help books and I am always telling her that I think they feed on insecurities but she's a grass might be greener somewhere/someone else! Me, because of my experiences, I try not to let things get to me unless they need to change - fuss = hassles and stress! I have a list I made when I finished with my psychologist which has all my triggers and feelings and then things I can do to cope with it (haircuts and massages and shopping are on that list!!).
I hope your appointment goes well Deb. When I went off my meds but still had anxiety problems I ended up taking a herbal remedy for it. Not sure that I could take it during pregnancy though so hopefully I don't get any of that in the next few months.
Anyway, will be thinking of you.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mummy_becks Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 February 2008 at 11:33pm

I have issues with the mental health system with Mid Central as they gave my psycho BIL a job as a mental health nurse. But that is just me and I know I need to get over it now he has left the country *YAY*.

I was told by my GP that MMH in Palmy only take on servere cases and i'm not that "servere" yet .

Did you manage to get an appointment Deb??

I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 11111 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 February 2008 at 9:33am
Originally posted by mummy_becks mummy_becks wrote:

I have issues with the mental health system with Mid Central

I was told by my GP that MMH in Palmy only take on servere cases and i'm not that "servere" yet .


Did you manage to get an appointment Deb??


Yeah I did its on tuesday very scared, but that's ok off to my M/W today she is really pleased I am finally getting some much needed support.
I not so keen on Mid central either they never were that good for my Mum they let the church look after Mum so they would not have too not that there is anything wrong with the church being involved I have huge support from mine even have a lady from mine coming with me to my appt, but this was way over there head and my Mum needed professional's helping her way back then and the system should not have been willing to leave her in the care of the church. JMO tho.   Like I said not a reflection on "The Church" just some of the people in leadership that thought they knew best.

Edited by loadsofkids
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 11111 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 March 2008 at 1:47pm
I had my first apt on Tuesday it was with the scary scottish guy on the phone, but he was not nearlly as scary in person actually really cool he is the intake nurse who does or the first apt's I was there ofr 2 hour's. Then I was booked in to see the psychiatrist today she was really lovely. I am changing Med's as the ones I am currenlty on are not letting me sleep so well and stolen my sex drive she said the new ones are way stronger and harder to come off, but will be load's better.   When I first arrived she said she thought she had seen me somewhere I guessed it was like the suprermarket till near the end of the apt and I saw her cell phone(it is very flash) I recognised it straight away last friday I wnet to M/W and locked kids and key's in the car and she was the nice stranger that let me use her phone terriblly embarrasing. Anyway she has said she does not think I have as much depression as I do an Anxiety disorder not sure which sound's worse.
Anyway thank's so much for all your support ladies.
Deborah Mum to:

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