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Postnatal Depression

Winston Churchill called his depression 'the black dog', and if it scratches at your door postnatally, you'll need some help and support.

Up to a third of mothers suffer from postnatal depression. It does not always occur immediately after the birth. In fact it may develop over the course of the following year.

It is important to seek help from your partner, health visitor or doctor if you feel depressed. You are not alone.

WHO IS AT RISK?

Unsurprisingly, you are more at risk of postnatal depression (PND) if you have an unsupportive spouse and a poor support network - no family or friends who can help you. Other triggers for PND are financial difficulties, problems with older children or if you have had several babies very close together. If you are in a difficult relationship, or are experiencing separation or divorce, you have an increased risk of PND. If you have had a difficult delivery, you are also more at risk of PND.

If you have had bad 'baby blues' or have previously suffered from PND, you are at risk. If you have a personal or family history of depression, unrelated to pregnancy, you may also be at risk. Additionally, if you are ill, or your baby is unwell, you may also be more likely to become depressed.

WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE?

If you have PND, you may feel overwhelmed by life. You may cry more than usual, and be oversensitive and irritable. You are likely to feel anxious, sometimes out of proportion to any risk involved. You may even feel panicked for no apparent reason.

You may feel a sense of hopelessness about your relationships and life in general. This can lead to you feeling weighed down with despair.

You are likely to feel very tired and want to sleep a great deal. You may have difficulty concentrating, and have guilty feelings that you are a 'bad mother'. You may be disinterested in your baby, or the opposite - you may feel over-concerned and worry about every little thing.

You may even harbour thoughts about hurting your baby or yourself. You may feel as though no one understands, and that you are going 'crazy'.

PND is treatable, but only if you ask for help. It is crucial that you ask for help if you feel any of the emotions described above. If you do not seek help from your doctor, you may harm yourself, and your family could be at risk.

There are a number of support groups that you may find useful. In the UK, for example, the Meet A Mum Association (www.mama.co.uk) and the

Association for Postnatal Illness (www.apni.org) are sources of information and help.

HOW DO I HANDLE MY FEELINGS?

Talk to your partner. He will know something is wrong, and he may be very anxious. Together, you can seek help from your doctor or health visitor.
Talk to your doctor. You may temporarily need medical intervention such as antidepressants. Tell her if you are breastfeeding.
Arrange to see a counsellor. There may be stresses and conflicts in your life that you need to work through to feel better.
Be kind to yourself. Sleep as much as you need to; tiredness will only make you feel worse. So will feeling guilty! This is not your fault.


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