Post Natal Depression

By Sarah Cruickshank

Post natal depression is one of those illnesses we still whisper about and fear, but with high profile people like Brooke Shields, Fern Britton, Suzanne Shaw and Gail Porter admitting that they have suffered – and come through it – the barriers are breaking down.

Around half of women get the “baby blues” in the week following the birth of a baby.  They feel weepy, exhausted and unsure of themselves, but this passes after a few days.  For 1 in 10 women though, post natal depression (PND) develops, usually within a month, but sometimes up to 6 months after giving birth.

Nobody really knows how or why PND occurs, or how it can be prevented, but taking simple steps could help.  The Royal College of Psychiatrists suggests that during pregnancy women:

* Don’t try to be “superwoman” – do less, eat regular meals and get plenty of rest.
* Don’t move house.
* Make friends with other expectant women.
* Find someone to talk to about feelings.
* Go to antenatal classes (with you partner if you have one).
* Keep in touch with your GP/midwife – especially if you’ve had PND before.
* After the birth
* Rest, eat healthily and don’t do too much.
* Talk about your feelings and ask for help.
* Make time for you and your partner to be together.
* Don’t be afraid if you’re diagnosed with PND, you will get better.

Signs of PND
The classic signs of PND aren’t dissimilar to the way many women feel after childbirth.  Your doctor and nurses should ask you regular questions about your mental health and its important that you’re honest and visit them straightaway if you have any concerns that you might have PND.  Medical staff would much rather check you over and be able to tell you that you don’t have PND than for you to suffer in silence.  Look out for:

* Feeling depressed
* Irritable
* Tired
* Sleepless
* Not hungry
* Not interested in sex
* Feeling guilty
* Feeling anxious
* Unable to cope
* Panic attacks

Getting treatment
Most women get better without any treatment though it may take several months.  Your GP will recommend the best course of treatment for you, the important thing is not to view yourself as a failure, focus on getting better and building a strong and loving relationship with your new baby and your partner.

Further help and support

Books

	Feelings After Birth: The NCT Book of Postnatal Depression - by Healther Welford, NCT Publishers Ltd (2001)
	Coping with Postnatal Depression - by Dr Sandra Wheatley, Sheldon Press (2005)
	Mind Over Mood: Change How You Feel By Changing the Way You Think  - by Christine Padesky and Dennis Greenberger, Guilford Publications (1995)
	Overcoming Depression and Low Mood: A Five Areas Approach - by Christopher Williams, Hodder Arnold (2006)