Postnatal depression

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March 25, 2020

Postnatal depression

What is Postnatal Depression?

Postnatal depression refers to depression occurring in the months following childbirth. Women are more likely to develop emotional problems, particularly anxiety and depression, following childbirth than at any other time in their lives. Postnatal depression is common and affects up to 1 in 7 women.

The birth of a child is a joyful event but it is often one of life’s biggest challenges for a woman and her family. There are many myths and pressures associated with motherhood. These can lead a woman and her husband to feel ashamed to admit that they are having trouble coping.

Symptoms of Postnatal Depression

Not every woman with postnatal depression will have the same symptoms but some common ones are:

Feeling sad, crying easily or crying often
Feeling irritable, anxious or unable to relax
Feeling disconnected from your baby, family or friends
Fear of being alone
Feeling unable to cope with simple things
Being overly worried about your baby’s health, or feeding, or overly worried about how clean the house is
Having thoughts or fears about harming your child or about your child becoming very ill or contaminated by germs
Becoming forgetful or having trouble remembering things or concentrating
Losing your appetite
Feeling tired all the time and not refreshed by rest
Not caring about your personal hygiene
Sleeping poorly, having nightmares or waking frequently even when your baby is asleep
Thoughts that life is not worth living or that people would be better off without you

Causes of Postnatal Depression

Postnatal Depression is a common but complex illness with many causes. The causes include the enormous changes in a woman’s body and her hormones during pregnancy, delivery and after birth. The physical exhaustion and lack of sleep from having to look after a young baby may also be part of developing Postnatal Depression. The arrival of a baby can bring many other changes including financial stress, social isolation from family and friends and changes in relationships – partners are now parents. These changes can be particularly hard for women who have come from overseas. Living away from family and traditional support networks while adjusting to parenthood in a different culture, with different parenting practices, can be particularly stressful.

Treatment for Postnatal Depression

Postnatal Depression is often unrecognized by mothers and those closest to them. However, once recognised and given the appropriate time and treatment, a woman can recover from Postnatal Depression.

If a woman experiences Postnatal Depression for a long period of time and is not treated, it can lead to chronic depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. It can have a negative effect on the baby’s development and her relationships with her partner and family.