What is Postnatal depression?
Postnatal (or postpartum) depression differs from other forms of depression in that it’s onset is always associated with having a new baby within the past year. Symptoms are similar to other forms of depression and include:
- Depressed mood / extreme sadness
- Loss of interest in activities
- Hopelessness
- Thoughts of suicide
- Fatigue
- Lack of care for the baby and oneself, or thoughts of harming the baby or oneself
- A sense of dread or feelings of fear or anxiety
- Feeling disconnected from loved ones and the new baby
- Feeling guilty or ashamed,
- A change in appetite and / or sleeping pattern
- Difficulties bonding with baby
Postnatal depression differs from the ‘baby blues’ which does not last for more than two weeks following childbirth. Postnatal depression is not entirely understood, however, is thought to be caused by the dramatic change in hormones when a baby is born and the emotional stress of caring for a new baby.
Who gets Postnatal depression?
Although new mothers are commonly associated with postnatal depression, new fathers or partners can also suffer. In the UK around 1 in 10 women and 1 in 25 men experience postnatal depression within a year of their baby being born (NHS, 2016).
There are events which can dispose new parents to experiencing postnatal depression after their child is born including:
- Postnatal depression in a previous pregnancy
- Depression not associated with a pregnancy
- Feeling ambivalent towards the pregnancy
- Not having social support such as close friends or family
- A difficult relationship with a partner
- Being ambivalent towards the pregnancy and baby
- Reduction of self-esteem due to a change in role upon becoming a parent
- Loss or change in identity, for example, not resuming employment
- Recovering from birth-related surgery, especially if this interfered with bonding with the baby
- Baby being born prematurely or being unwell at birth
When to seek help for Postnatal depression
If you have recently welcomed a new baby into your family and are struggling with postnatal depression then support is available. It is important to seek help as soon as you notice a drop in your mood or if you notice that the ‘baby blues’ have continued beyond two weeks. You may wish to attend alone, or with your partner, if that feels appropriate. During therapy at Morency you will have an opportunity to discuss your feelings during pregnancy, how the birth was and your family life afterwards. Depending on your specific circumstances therapy may then help you to:
- Consider and change the relationship between your thoughts, feelings and behaviours
- Consider your relationships, including those that are helpful and those that exasperate your low mood
- Change your negative thought patterns
- Develop strategies for seeking and accepting help from others
- Develop self-care routines and strategies including sleep, eating and exercise routines for yourself and baby
- Reconnect with your partner
- Recognise your value as a parent and adult
- Bond with baby
Reference
NHS (2016). Postnatal depression. Retrieved from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/post-natal-depression/