What are the Signs of Postnatal Depression?
Being a mum can be a real emotional rollercoaster and there can be lots of highs and lows. But if you’re finding that it’s all lows without highs, that could be a sign you’ve got postnatal depression. It’s a terrible illness and can affect absolutely anyone and it really spoils the enjoyment of having a baby and at least one in ten mothers will suffer from it.
This video was created by the NHS Choices.
There are various signs to look for if you think you may have postnatal depression. You may be quite tearful, in fact you might be crying all the time. It will actually be quite a chore to look after your baby and you may have no pleasure or enjoyment with any of the daily things in life. It can affect your appetite and it can affect how you sleep at night. It will definitely affect your relationships with others and it can leave you feeling quite helpless.
Postnatal depression can start any time during the first year of your baby’s life but it’s more common in the first six months after birth. For some women postnatal depression can begin in pregnancy and that’s not uncommon. Often women are reluctant to admit that they’ve got postnatal depression because they see it as a sign of failure on their part.
It’s a very treatable illness and if you had flu or a broken leg you wouldn’t hesitate to seek medical advice and it’s exactly the same for postnatal depression. Get help, don’t let other people put you off or tell them you seem OK if you don’t feel it.
If you or anyone you know needs help:
Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
Headspace on 1800 650 890
PANDA: Post and Antenatal Depression Association (Mon –Fri ONLY) on 1300 726 306
Lifeline on 13 11 14
