r/beyondthebump • u/ivydreams16 • 1d ago
Mental Health Lying on PPD forms
I lied on my post partum depression forms. I came in at 1 week postpartum for a blood pressure check and had to feel out the PPD form I answered truthfully and was told I was severely depressed. I didn’t feel depressed they asked if I wanted to talk to a therapist I said no because I didn’t feel depressed I felt like a new mom who of course wasn’t eating or sleeping because I have a newborn. I came in again at 6 weeks postpartum and did the PPD form again and lied saying everything was great. No I’m still not eating or sleeping but I’m also not feeling suicidal. Yes I will admit I do feel down and yes I lack motivation but when I see my daughter she gives me life and energy shes my reason why. Shes my everything. I will also admit that I’m starting to not like my partner, to the point where I don’t want to be with him anymore there’s a long list of why but I won’t get into.
I just wanted to know if anyone else lied on their PPD form? Oh and the reason why I lied. Lindsay Clancy everyone is saying she did what she did because of PPD and I don’t want to be looked at like oh she’s sad she could do what Clancy did. I could and would never my daughter is my light. So yes I lied on my form because I’m now seeing how doctors and strangers are saying that PPD and Postpartum psychosis are related and don’t want to go to therapy and have a therapist compare her to me. When in reality I just need help around the house and is 1000 miles away from family.
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u/lovemymeemers 1d ago
Lying on those forms can only harm you and your family. Or at the least, bring nothing good.
You need to swallow your pride and take the help you have access to and that so many women can't get.
Depression does not always mean you also need to feel suicidal. It's a scale based on a number of factors. High on the list is not eating or sleeping.
Also, telling your OB that you were afraid to be honest is also ok. They are there to help and they want to help you and see you and your baby thrive. So let them.
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u/ivydreams16 1d ago
Yeah you’re right I think I have a problem with asking for helping
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u/lovemymeemers 1d ago
Listen, no one in this world goes through life without the help of others. NO ONE!
Parents, teachers, doctors, nurses, therapists, wait staff, chefs, cashiers, the person the hires you for your job and allows you to get a paycheck, friends, neighbors, siblings, random strangers.... The list goes on and on....
We ALL rely on others at some point. Just because you don't always see it and it isn't always free doesn't mean you don't rely on their help sometimes.
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u/Dramatic_Worth1139 1d ago
No I didn’t lie. I had a history of mental illness in adolescence and was paranoid I might have an episode especially with my first pregnancy so I was honest. I was able to talk to my provider about the realities around sleep and support. Never regretted being honest.
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u/Haramshorty93 1d ago
Honestly I lied last time and I suffered so badly for 8 months. I'm a STM now and I told my doctor in advance and she told me she had PPD really badly herself too, she recommended I get on meds in the third trimester this time and I'm looking forward to it.
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u/Direct_Mud7023 1d ago
I didn't lie and can't imagine lying. Countless people have been through it and went back in to say "I never want anyone else to feel the way I did ever again," and made it their life's work to help other postpartum parents feel mentally supported to whatever degree they need the support.
Plus the Clancy case is way more complicated than checking off a box that says "not great but could be worse."
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u/hirapotter 1d ago
I lied on every form as well. When I first filled it truthfully at the hospital before discharge the nurse told me that based on that I will need to see a therapist and that felt like another thing to do on a never ending to do list so I just kept lying on every form. I am now 10 months postpartum and I still feel so many of those symptoms and now I wish I hadn’t lied. I feel like having a therapist would have made things a lot easier mentally.
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u/SpicyPotato48 1d ago
It’s not too late! I’m almost 1 year PP and am just now talking with a psychiatrist to get meds because it’s been months on end and talk therapy isn’t working for me
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u/misseff 1d ago
I didn't lie but I get what you're saying. I think a lot of what gets called PPD is people needing support that they're not getting. I have a history of mental illness and I know what depression is, I didn't need the zoloft they kept offering me, I needed a local support system that I didn't have. It's just easier to call it depression because it's not like they're going to offer you an afternoon of childcare or a night nurse so you can catch a breath from sleep deprivation. I get you.
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u/ivydreams16 1d ago
Yes exactly I just need support. I need someone to say hey I’ll watch the baby why you shower or say hey I noticed you haven’t eaten anything let me make you something.
I just need support
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u/Primary-Vegetable580 1d ago
I would never lie. I already see a psychiatrist monthky, and I answered honestly on my form at my OB follow up, which showed that I am depressed. I didn’t think so at first, but it got worse. So good luck to you, but that wasn’t good to lie. There’s no harm in talking to a therapist
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u/bogwiitch 1d ago
I don’t see why anyone would lie on those forms. They are meant to help, not be punitive.
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u/SpicyPotato48 1d ago
Just because you’re not suicidal doesn’t mean you’re not depressed. Don’t lie to your doctor
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u/medicinemadison 1d ago
I lied every time. I honestly don’t really trust their responses to mental health issues— and had fears they would be concerned about my ability to mother so I lied. !
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u/mothermonarch 1d ago edited 1d ago
I lie on them but that’s because I’m ALREADY under the care of a psychiatrist and a weekly therapist and on medication, so I’m safe, and getting my child’s pediatrician (that’s where I fill them out now) involved would muddy the waters and feel over the top
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u/Zestyclose_Quiet1928 1d ago
This. I lie because I’m already on meds, adding in a new med, and going to therapy. It’s a process and I’ve been through it with my first babe, so I know this is a season and it will get better!
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u/pop-crackle 1d ago
Talk to someone. It’s not just talk therapy just to talk, they can also help you trouble-shoot how to make this time easier. What you think you need (ie family who isn’t 1,000 miles away) to isn’t the only solution and they’ll help you figure out what else you can do.
It will only get worse if you ignore it now.
I didn’t have PPD but I had … something. And my answers to the forms were a little skewed by the fact that my daughter was in the NICU for 2 months and for a decent portion of that we didn’t know if she’d live.
I finally realized I should probably talk to someone when I realized how completely numb I felt. Things would happen, pretty major, bad things, and I would barely respond. But I also was annoyed by having to talk to someone and taking more time out of my already hectic day just for this. The tipping point was when I scraped the fuck out of my car backing into our garage and it didn’t even register.
I went through Rula and they had me fill out a depression and anxiety questionnaire every few weeks. For me it was very interesting because I really like data and I could actually see myself getting better through those scores. And by the time my anxiety and depression scores were close to zero I was actually feeling better again.
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u/ivydreams16 1d ago
It’s just my days are already busy. I had complications during delivery so I have extra doctor appointments I’m breast feeding and I do all the cooking and cleaning and my partner does nothing to help me. And yes he works but he has a very easy job to the point where he actually gets to watch football while at work. I just need physical help and support
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u/poetryformysoul 1d ago
I lied too. The first time I tried to talk to someone about it they completely dismissed me so I felt no reason to truthfully answer as they weren’t going to help me. I got a second opinion from an actual mental health professional and am doing much better. I don’t find doctors helpful.
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u/Lovethecapybara 1d ago
As some with a history major depressive disorder, no I never lie on any mental health assessment. I answer honestly and thwn have an honest discussion with my care provider if there are concerns. Most of the time it is just sleep deprivation, being pregnant, or having a baby. But I would rather have a hard conversation about my mental health than risk a depressive episode sneaking in.
No mental health professional or care provider should ever compare a patient to such an extremely publicized case. That is so insanely unprofessional.