Was to sound patronising anyway and I do hope that comment was not directed at myself.  If so I surely would like to know what was patronising about trying to make respectful comments. 

I did not have clinical depression.  It was hormone related and I still was able to shake it off ONLY by helping myself.  When you feel depressed it does have a tendency to make your physical lot in life a little harder to bear.

I have seen Jeckyll and Hyde type behaviour from my own son, but I certainly would not allow him to wallow in it without help.  He would go to counselling next time and Doctors who treat him would be made well aware of the ups and downs his med are cuasing him mentally.   I’ve been outspoken in the past about this but at the time I was lacking a little edication wise to be able to explain how I felt protective over my son instead of nagging him contantly about his behaviour.  it was because when a child is exposed to masses of 17 OHP because they are under treated, when you inflict MORE stress on them, this compounds the situation.  I would like to be the first to say here that in that situation the only thing one can do is get the hormone levels right--but that does not mean that the child or adult does NOT need counselling and self help to help them realise that when these things happen, it is not because they have a miserable lifestyle.  It is completely hormonal and they need to know and be told this is because of their hormones being out of whack.  NOT that they will have this miserable lot for life.  That kind of attitude is dangerous and also irresponsible as in my opinion it can lead to a child thinking they are going to be like this all their life and suicidal thoughts.  It needs treatment in the way of counselling and explanation--and understanding as well as hormone control and less stress in life which predisposes these individuals MORE to clincal depression MORE often with CAH.  This is now documented.    They need strength instilling in them for times when these things happen--bot to be allowed to succumb to thoughts of suicide or ones life is worthless.

I certainly didn’t post t offend anyway or patronize.  If anything clinical depression is WORSE because it isn’t as simple as adjusting a few hormones here and there.  It’s due to chemical imbalances elsewhere and the only drugs we get fobbed off with are anti-depressants NOT hormones to rectify the problem.  Consequently it can  last longer --much longer after a baby actually, especially if your breastfeeding also---but at the end of the day, whether you like it or not clinical depression is what you have--whether it is only for two weeks or two months or two years.  Shouldn’t matter how long it is--you have to accept it and work at getting your levels correct and leading a less stress free life so your not exposed to that sceario as often.  Self help there yet again.