[bunniswife]

I was listening to a fertility specialist on the radio yesterday. This doctor not only specializes in infertility, she's also a reproductive psychiatrist. She said the incidence of infertility in people with depression is up to 60% higher than in people not suffering from depression. She also said that struggling to conceive often causes depression, adding to the problem of infertility. For those of you who are trying to conceive, what are you doing to maintain your mental health? Do you talk to a counsellor? Do you Blog about it? What kind of nice things do you do for yourself so that you don't sink into a depression over your infertility struggles and if you are depressed, what are you doing about it? Hugs

[bunniswife]

Bump...cause I'm interested to see what people are doing to help themselves.

[casb77]

A few months ago I decided the most important thing was to protect my heart, so I stopped going to book club because they pretty much only talked about being pregnant. I also started knitting recently and really like it. I don't know how it's helping my psyche, but the repetitiveness is kind of calming and it's nice to see progress so fast (I knit a scarf with thick yarn and thick needles in about 2 hours). I also took a journaling workshop a while back, though I haven't actually done any journaling since then. And of course I avoid baby showers as much as possible as well as situations where I know the talk will be mostly about pregnancy and babies. I don't see my old friends as much as I used to, but I also don't get my feelings hurt as much either. The couple friends who know about our IF and IVF are great listeners and let me talk as much as I want about it.

I think that's it.

[SATinPA]

I have been taking Zoloft for 6 years and it has been a real help with my depression. Have started taking higher dose now that I am actively being treated for infertility. Testing process was not as overwhelming or depressing for me. Treatment is.

Also taking an 8 week Mindfulness class that is offered at a local hospital. Stress reduction, yoga, meditation- awesome for self care and for better frame of mind. Happens to be covered by insurance.

Trying to exercise too and taking my Tai Chi class is helping.

[MissBish]

this is a great topic, thank you for posting it. i had to revert back to medication after my 3rd IVF cycle in September. i also starting blogging and i am a peer counselor for a mind/body group run at my fertility center. already i feel sooo much better. helping others seems to be helping me. sharing my experiences with these women who are beginning in this journey. i also started back to relaxation training and guided imagery. my next goal is to get back into exercise.

i am in the waiting period right now. its been so hard. i dont think i am going to cycle until april or may....so i need to remain positive and keep living my life...

i also recommend reading..
Amazon.com: Healing Mind, Healthy Woman: Using the Mind-Body Connection to Manage Stress and Take Control of Your Life: Alice D., Ph.D. Domar: Books

[deepasocean]

I have been depressed twice in my life. Last time I had depression was almost 2 years ago. Both times I took Prozac for 4 month, along with Xanax (anti-anxiety medicine)

I did my first IVF cycle in November last year. It was a BFN. After taking a month break we moved to FET, and thanks to GOD, I just got my BFP on Monday.

The interseting part is I did not go into depression when I failed the fresh cycle... but I am having depression now when I got the good news. I had to rush to the pshycatrist and she said that since I have a history of depression, I should take Prozac again. But I cannot take Xanax because it could be harmful to the baby.

Regards
Misbah

[humbird97]

I've been treated for depression for about 10 years, and I've taken different meds at different times. I'm on Celexa now.

I've seen a therapist for years, and I'm seeing one now who has had 2 miscarriages in her past (like me). She hasn't experienced infertility, but we connect well.

So, I'm still doing what I've been doing since being diagnosed with DOR.

I do exercise like WiiFit and some elliptical. I hope to discover other ways to cope. I can't cycle until April, and that is very difficult.

I stay away from baby showers and any places where talk of pregnancy or children/babies is dominant. I'm disconnected from my acquaintances which is hard. But I'm less angry for sure.

[ChelleBelle]

Hi there. Thank you for bringing up this very important topic...

I have had severe depression my whole life and to include an anxiety disorder. This is due to a very stressful and abusive childhood. I will just leave it at that.

I had been on meds almost my entire life trying to cope.

However, when I knew I was going to start IVF I knew I needed to get off of the meds...All of them...This was back in June of 2008.

So here I am and I feel as though some days I am doing well and others I am not...

I have my meds at home and want to take them. But I keep telling myself that I can hold off a little longer.

My Dr. tells me that if I can get through the first tri-mester without them, that I will be doing good...So I am trying so very hard.

I also suffer from insomnia...it just adds to the pressure of trying to hold it all together. When you are tired on a daily basis it makes stress and dealing with daily life alot harder.

As far as coping. Well I pray alot. I cry when I need to and I talk openly with my husband about my feelings on a daily basis...

After reading some of the other posts. I feel encouraged to take on some sort of extra activities to keep my mind from becomming idle and to keep my hands busy.

I do blog alot on the forums here so that has been a big help and support.

I also sing alot.....Forgot to mention that. I am a church secretary, so when I am over at the sanctuary I always turn on the mics and sing my heart out....Stress reliever...

Hugs to you all that have struggles with depression. It is not an easy road. Not by a long shot...Adding IVF to it makes it 10x's harder...Much Love....

[littleblue]

now that spring is here i hope the sunlight, warm weather, and fresh gardens will bring me out of my sad little housewife cave. yesterday i spent the better part of the day working in the garden with my in-laws. i didn't expect it to lift my mood as much as it did, but yesterday was great and i slept the whole night through.

i suggest we take advantage of the nice weather and spend some time out of doors.

my DH and i also plan on bringing a puppy home one of these days, yet another reason to spend time outside of the house.