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What Is Postnatal Depression?
Most parents rank having a baby as the most life-changing event they experience and many find parenthood rewarding. However postnatal depression is more common than we think. 1 in 7 mothers suffer from it. At a time in their lives when new mothers should be falling in love with their babies, some women find it difficult to bond with their new baby. They may be exhausted and disillusioned and feel totally overwhelmed by this new bundle of life which is completely dominating their every thought, feeling and action.
Other common symptoms of postnatal depression are:
- constant exhaustion,
- inability to sleep even when you are exhausted
- crying for no reason
- forgetting things
- thinking you can not cope with the baby and everyday tasks
- excessive anxiety and worry
Postnatal depression often goes undiagnosed because the mother just assumes she is meant to feel out of sorts and exhausted for some time after the birth. However, there are some factors which may impact on the seriousness of the postnatal depression. The new mother may have had a loss or bereavement which she has not had time or chance to process. The feelings of anxiety, disappointment, guilt or helplessness about the new baby may bring up these unprocessed feelings about the earlier loss. This can intensify the feelings of depression the mother feels.
Statistics show that if a woman has had postnatal depression with an earlier baby she may be more likely to experience it with following births. Also, if the mother has had a previous psychiatric illness then she may be more likely to suffer from postnatal depression in the future.
How Do I Know If I Have It?
If you think this may sound like what’s happening to you, your partner or friend then there is a useful short multiple choice test which you can take called The Edinburgh Test. This test is used to diagnose postnatal depression by asking you how you have been feeling over the last week. It is very easy to complete. If your results show you may be at risk of postnatal depression then you can take it along to discuss with your doctor. An example of an Edinburgh test can be found at:
www.fresno.ucsf.edu/pediatrics/downloads/edinburghscale.pdf
What Can I Do About Postnatal Depression?
If these feelings and symptoms continue for longer than two weeks then it really is best to go to your doctor and get checked out. There could be another purely medical reason that is causing you to feel like this such as an underactive thyroid or anaemia. If the doctor rules out any medical issues then he or she may prescribe antidepressants for you and/or short term counselling. Some women only need short term help to get back on their feet whilst others may need more ongoing support. It’s important to remember that postnatal depression can happen to any new mother and it is certainly not your fault.
Self-help Ideas
Here are a few practical ideas which you can try. They may alleviate your depression and make you feel more like your old self again.
- exercise and being outside is proven to relieve depression. Take yourself and the baby out of the house into the fresh air every day
- sleep: whenever your baby sleeps
- be kind to yourself: give yourself a break about the housework and cooking
- mindfulness: download a short meditation to still your mind and find some calm
- accept support: from friends, family and your health visitor
- find support: join your local national childbirth trust (NCT) group, see what your local children’s centre offers, use forums and websites like www.netmums.com
- avoid isolation: be brave and chat with other new mums whenever you come across them out and about. Spend some quality time with your partner if you have one. Alternatively, pick up the phone and have a catch up with a friend
- be prepared: keep a change bag by the front door ready so that you can get out easily
Hopefully, you or your friend’s PND is temporary.
The majority of women with postnatal depression recover fully within 3-6 months.
Other relevant blogs to read: