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Have Post Partum Depression, Fever, Restlessness, Guilt, Fear, Shock State. What Is Going On?
I have been struggling with my post-partum depression and as a result, ended up spanking my 6 month old baby with my hand on his back 5-6 times day before yesterday. I slapped him really tight, guess I completely lost sense of what I was doing. My baby had a 100.5 fever by evening, gave him some tylenol but fever was on and off. Since then, he is a bot restless and I am so full of guilt and fear. Please help. ( since he is 6 months, can the fever be due to teething too or is he in some kind of shock that has gotten him fever. He is playing well, but certainly not so cheerful. What should I do???
posted on
Sat, 13 Apr 2013
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 14 Apr 2013
Answered on
Fri, 19 Apr 2013
Last reviewed on
Hello
Welcome to HCM
Post partum blues and depression is a common complaint. In post partum depression paranoid ideation against baby are common. Some mothers even throw their babies. A warm and loving care is must for mothers. As you have hit your baby I would advise you to discuss this episode with your family members and visit a good psychiatrist for expert opinion. If you will not take treatment at this state then the problem may complicate into full blown depressive episode. Medicines like low dose antidepressants and anti psychotic drugs are used in such cases.
Secondly as your baby is having fever. Continue giving him tylenol as per recommended doses and wait for at least 6-7 hours. If he show lethargy, decreased feeding immediately consult a pediatrician.
Thanks
Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi, MD
Welcome to HCM
Post partum blues and depression is a common complaint. In post partum depression paranoid ideation against baby are common. Some mothers even throw their babies. A warm and loving care is must for mothers. As you have hit your baby I would advise you to discuss this episode with your family members and visit a good psychiatrist for expert opinion. If you will not take treatment at this state then the problem may complicate into full blown depressive episode. Medicines like low dose antidepressants and anti psychotic drugs are used in such cases.
Secondly as your baby is having fever. Continue giving him tylenol as per recommended doses and wait for at least 6-7 hours. If he show lethargy, decreased feeding immediately consult a pediatrician.
Thanks
Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi, MD
I find this answer helpful
Hello
Welcome to health care magic
I can understand your situation. I appreciate your effort to seek online support.
First of all, take your child to a qualified paediatrician as its important to know the cause of fever for which he needs good clinical examination and investigations.
Don't worry and relax.
Consult a psychiatrist for proper evaluation for post partum depression as you need timely treatment which will be beneficial for you as well as your child.
Following treatment strategies would be helpful-
1) Antidepressants like SSRIs (escitalopram, sertarline, paroxetine etc)
2) Antianxiety agents like clonazepam, lorazepam, alprazolam etc
3) Psychotherapy/ Counselling sessions
4) Relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, deep breathing etc
In case, you are feeding your child with breast milk, use the drugs with caution and only after close work up with your doctor.
Hope it helps
Good luck
Regards
Dr. Gourav Monga
Consultant Psychiatrist
Welcome to health care magic
I can understand your situation. I appreciate your effort to seek online support.
First of all, take your child to a qualified paediatrician as its important to know the cause of fever for which he needs good clinical examination and investigations.
Don't worry and relax.
Consult a psychiatrist for proper evaluation for post partum depression as you need timely treatment which will be beneficial for you as well as your child.
Following treatment strategies would be helpful-
1) Antidepressants like SSRIs (escitalopram, sertarline, paroxetine etc)
2) Antianxiety agents like clonazepam, lorazepam, alprazolam etc
3) Psychotherapy/ Counselling sessions
4) Relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, deep breathing etc
In case, you are feeding your child with breast milk, use the drugs with caution and only after close work up with your doctor.
Hope it helps
Good luck
Regards
Dr. Gourav Monga
Consultant Psychiatrist
I find this answer helpful
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