Re: birth of grandchild

[Nom dePlume]

<gwen...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:7a1b1a9d-d690-496e...@l33g2000pri.googlegroups.com...
> My daughter recently gave birth to a baby. I have heard of post
> partum depression, but never depression from becoming a grandmother.
> I am 45 years old and I'm wondering if depression is normal after
> becoming a grandma. I feel really bad about this, because I think I
> should be proud to be a grandma, but whenever anyone calls me grandma
> I get these feelings of rage. I don't understand what is going on. I
> have a history of depression which has been giving me some trouble for
> a couple of months, but I started taking wellbutrin a couple months
> ago to deal with it. It was helping alot, untill my grandchild was
> born. I feel like a terrible grandma, and I'm wondering if this may
> be a normal reaction, although I am afraid that it is not. By the
> way, my daughter and I have a close relationship, although we have
> had our problems in the past. If anyone else has experienced this, I
> would appreciate hearing from you. Please no flames, I feel bad
> enough already.

This is a problem I have not heard of before. The very specific linkage of
rage to being called "grandma" suggests that the problem is psychological,
not medical, in nature. I would guess that something happened in your life,
or you developed unconscious attitudes or expectations, that has led you to
have this reaction. If so, then my suggestion is that you find a good
therapist to help you uncover the roots of the problem, and resolve it.
Medication can help, but it won't simply eliminate psychological triggers.

--
Nom dePlume, Ph.D.
Why, yes, in fact, I am a rocket scientist.

Find my book, Medicines for Mental health, and free drug information, at
www.MentalMeds.org

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