PND is a depressive illness occurring usually within 6 weeks of having a baby although it can occur at any time during the baby’s first year. It can come on very suddenly or it can happen over a period of weeks and months. Sometimes it is difficult for a woman or her family to realise she is depressed. It affects between 10-15% of new mothers. It can happen to fathers too.
Traditionally having a baby is viewed by society as a joyful event, a time for celebration. However for many women it is not a time of joy. Many women struggle with the demands a new baby brings. They may feel inadequately prepared for the task of caring for a new born, the loss of daily routines , the sleepless nights, changes in their role within the family, changes in their career, changes in their relationships with their partner, coping with partners possible adjustment difficulties to parenting or their absence due to work demands or relationship breakdown. Alongside this they may also have other stresses happening; financial concerns, isolation or unexpectedly difficult birth. This emotional upheaval can lead to a depressive experience of varying degrees.
What causes postnatal depression?
Having a baby is a time of great change with new mothers experiencing physical, biological emotional and social changes. Postnatal depression may be caused by a mixture of these things. Other present day stressful life events or unresolved negative events from mothers past may also be a contributing factor. For more information on causes please visit MIND.
Emotions:
- Feeling sad, upset, despairing on many days
- Crying a lot or feeling unable to cry
- Feeling worthless or like a ‘bad’ parent
- Mood going up and down
- Feeling guilty a lot of the time
- Feeling confused
- Feeling angry (with yourself, those close to you, your baby)
Physical:
- Feeling tense, anxious, irritable and being unable to relax
- Feeling angry ( with yourself, others, baby)
- Loss of interest and lack of motivation
- Slowed speech or speaking hurriedly
- Difficulty making everyday decisions
- Loss of appetite or eating too much
- Loss of libido (not wanting sexual intimacy )
- Insomnia and extreme exhaustion
- Thinking about death or feeling you don’t want to live anymore
- Not feeling the way you want to towards your baby
When people are depressed they are very good at thinking in a very negative and unhelpful way. They might:
- Be overly critical of themselves: ‘I’m a dreadful mother’; ‘I should know what to do’ ‘I’m useless’.
- Worry excessively
- Jump to the worst conclusions (catastrophising)
- Expect the worst to happen, ‘It’s all hopeless – things are never going to be alright again’.
- Focus on the bad stuff, as if you are looking at the world through dark glasses.
- Hopeless thoughts, ‘It’s all dreadful, sometimes I think my family would be better off without me.’
- Poor concentration
- Difficulty making decisions
- Confused cluttered thoughts
Behaviour:
- Not doing things you used to enjoy doing
- Not wanting to go out and see friends
- Not doing everyday tasks or finding them hard to do
- Arguing more with loved ones, getting angry, shouting, feeling as if you are losing control.
If you have experience a number of these symptoms and have felt like this for a few weeks since having your baby you might be suffering from postnatal depression. It is important that you speak to someone. If you can, do share your thoughts and feelings with your partner or trusted family member. But also speak to your GP, Midwife or Health Visitor.