|
FACING UP TO POSTNATAL DEPRESSION
Society expects a lot. Images in
the media, and famous women having babies, lead us to
believe that we should be incredibly happy about being
a mother.
But pictures in the media don't give you the full story.
They don't tell you that every mother gets exhausted sometimes,
and that being a parent is plain hard work, as well as
being scary.
On top of trying to recover from labour and being up all
night, your body goes through enormous hormone changes
in the weeks after you give birth. It's hardly surprising
that all these factors can make you emotional. If you've
also got other problems - like housing, money or relationship
worries - you have even more on your plate.
Mood changes and low mood after you have a baby are incredibly
common. Feeling low does not mean you're a bad mother,
or that you can't cope. It's really important to ask for
help. If you don't, you may feel even worse. If you do
get help - and there's lots of effective help available
- you won't miss out on the joy that getting to know your
new baby can bring.
If you feel able to, talk to your GP or health visitor.
They will be really used to dealing with these problems,
and they won't judge you. If you don't feel up to making
that first move, do at least talk to someone you trust.
That could be your partner, a friend or a relative. They
can make an appointment with a health professional for
you, or get someone to call. Don't be afraid to ask them
to come with you to your appointment.
Above all, don't forget that postnatal depression is an
illness, just like any other. You wouldn't hesitate to
get help if you had a physical condition.
Baby blues
Most women get "the baby blues" in the first
week after they have a baby. You may burst into tears
for no reason; feel irritable or touchy; feel miserable
or anxious. They are so common that they are considered
pretty much normal.
These feelings tend to last for just a few days. They
are probably caused by a combination of exhaustion and
hormone changes in your body. If you do feel like this,
let your partner know. They may be able to give you extra
support - both practical and emotional.
If your symptoms are very marked, or if they go on for
any length of time, do talk to your midwife, GP or health
visitor.
Postnatal depression
Postnatal depression is more than just "baby blues".
It is often a very distressing condition. Perhaps one
of the worst things about it is that it stops you from
enjoying your new baby as much as you would like to.
Postnatal depression usually starts about two to eight
weeks after you have your baby. It can, sometimes, come
on as long as six or twelve months later. At first you
may put your symptoms down to tiredness because of your
new baby - but tiredness doesn't stop you enjoying a normal
life some of the time.
Symptoms of postnatal depression include:
- feeling tired all the time
- not being able to sleep, or waking up early
- changes in your appetite
- poor concentration
- lack of interest in yourself or your baby
- bursting into tears for no reason
- anxiety
- panic attacks
- feeling guilty
- feeling unable to cope
- feeling hopeless.
Postnatal depression is very common - as many as one in
ten new mothers is thought to get it. Sadly, not all of
them seek help - either because they are scared to admit
the problem or because they don't have the energy.
But postnatal depression is treatable. Just talking through
your problems can help enormously. Your health visitor
or GP may want to see you regularly, or refer you to a
counsellor. Some areas of the country have perinatal services,
with specially trained staff.
Your GP may also suggest that you take antidepressant
drugs. These drugs really do work, and modern versions
have very few side effects. They may take some time to
work, but they aren't addictive.
Puerperal psychosis
Puerperal psychosis is a rare but serious psychiatric
condition. It affects about one or two mothers in 1000.
It usually requires hospital treatment, often as an inpatient.
Fortunately, although recovery can take some months, you
are likely to make a complete recovery.
Useful contacts:
Association for Postnatal Illness
25 Jerdan Place
London SW6 1BE
Tel: (020) 7386 0868 (Mon-Fri 10am-2pm)
Meet-a-Mum Association
(MAMA)
26 Avenue Road
South Norwood
London SE25 4DX
Tel: (020) 8771 5595
Helpline: (020) 8768 0123 (Mon-Fri 7pm-10pm)
|
