Alternative therapies

Some woman choose to try alternative therapies before they try more conventional thins like medication. Some of the therapies that have been useful in helping deal with post natal depression are:

Behavioural and Cognitive Therapy

This has been used for many years, the idea behind Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is that what people think affects how they feel emotionally and also alters what they do. The treatment involves working with a therapist to identify and then change any extreme thinking and unhelpful behaviour. By doing this, the result is a significant improvement in how the person feels and lives their day to day life.

To find a registered therapist in your area visit the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies here


Hypnotherapy

Some woman find that the effects of hypnotherapy can be almost instant where others take several session to see an improvement. The treatment involves the therapist examining your past to help you emotions which may be affecting your present life as well as helping you to think differently about areas of your life which may be troubling you.
To find a registered therapist near you contact The National Register of Hypnotherapist’s and Psychotherapists here.


Crystal Healing

It is believed that crystals are subtle energy forms which can have a tremendously therapeutic effect on women suffering from Post Natal Depression. Rose Quartz is an especially powerful healer which, when worn continuously or placed under your pillow at night can ease the symptoms of insomnia and promote self acceptance and love. You may also benefit from receiving Crystal Therapy from a qualified Crystal Healer who will be able to target the specific symptoms of your illness and help to bring you back into balance.

To find a qualified Crystal Healer visit the Affiliation of Crystal Healing Organisations website here

Massage

The benefits of massage are well known for helping with an array of illnesses, some woman have found that it can be helpful when recovering from Post Natal Depression. Massage will relax you, give you some valuable time to yourself and help you to manage your stress levels.
To find a qualified aroma therapist in your area visit the Aromatherapy Consortium here.

Reflexology

This therapy can be very helpful the treatment involves the therapist manipulation the reflex points on the sole of your feet in order to get the body to heal itself. To find a reflexologist in your area visit the Association of Reflexologist’s Website

here.

Some G.P. are more open to alternative therapies than other and may be able to suggest a suitable therapist if this is not the case and unfortunately it is still true that many doctors would prefer that you took medication before you try any alternatives, then make sure that the therapist is registered with a recognised body before visiting them.

5 things to do to help your patner

These things may seem obvious but when you are worried and stressed you often forget the simple things that you can do

1. Find out about the illness, in order to understand what is happening to your partner you need to know as much about the illness as you can
2. Talk to your partner about how you are both feeling, the guilt that a woman with PND can have about what she is doing to her partner can be enormous so tell her the truth and talk about how to make it better
3. Encourage your partner to use whatever resources you can find to help, try to ensure that she has time away from the baby even if you have to force her
4. Talk to someone you trust about how you feel
5. Be patient as it will get better.

Male post natal depression

Post natal depression in women is a widely recognized illness, but a far less known condition, male post natal depression. The main reason that this condition is less known is that as with many things men often find it difficult to talk about it. Many men do not realize that they are suffering from the condition or that it even exists. Studies have shown Post natal depression has been linked to an increase in depression in a large number of men.

Male post natal depression sometimes occurs as a reaction when a man's female partner is suffering from post natal depression. Many men have said that coping with their partner’s depression leaves them feeling overwhelmed, isolated. It is thought that male post natal depression has led to or contributed to the break-up of many marriages, as a number of relationships break-ups after the birth of a baby. But many couples are totally unaware that post natal depression is the cause or one of the causes of the breakdown of their relationship.

Many, many women hide their post natal depression and they do it so well that their partners are not aware that they are suffering and are at a complete loss to understand the reason behind their mood swings this is the same with male postnatal depression.

It has been theorised that another possible reason for male post natal depression is that many men find it difficult to cope with the birth of a child. Having a baby and the new responsibilities that that brings can be very stressful, especially if the male has to work during the day and cope with the child at night. One of the biggest issues for men when it comes to male post natal depression is a lack of support and understanding that men receive. There is a lot of help for women and there are many support groups, but there are very few places for a depressed father to turn. In addition to the lack of support there is the mans inability it talk about their feelings and to admit that there is a problem.

Symptoms include:

• Feelings of isolation and mood swings.
• Substance abuse
• Lethargy
• Anxiety attacks
• Loss of sex drive
• Problems concentration
• Headaches
• Loss of appetite
• Stomach pains

If you are suffering any of these feelings and they don’t seem to be improving then it is really important that they are taken seriously, and you should see your doctor. All the time people are recognizing male post natal depression and there is more support out there then ever before so if you think you may be suffering get help

How to help a woman with PND

It can be both difficult and frustrating to live with someone who has PND. Perhaps the most important thing is to recognise that someone suffering from PND may need encouragement to seek help, and support to get it. Help her to find someone to talk to in depth, and reassure her that she is not going mad and that she will get better. Make sure she knows that you will support her, and not abandon her.
Practical steps include helping her to get enough food, rest, and exercise. Try to ensure that she doesn’t spend much time alone to cope with the baby. A sense of isolation can be the most stressful aspect of mothering. Support the idea that she deserves to have a daily treat, and enable her to get it. Above all try to listen to how she feels and be patient.

There are many useful organisations try: www.pni.org.uk or www.mama.co.uk

Tips to help PND

Below are some simple tips that may help:

• Try to get at least half an hour a day me time as often as possible every day if it is possible. All mums need a little space to themselves it is not a crime
  
• Try to get as much rest as you can.
  
• Ask for help with the house work, most partners or families will not help if you don't ask, they don't want to offend or interfere.
  
• Try to get as much fresh air as possible, go for little walks with the baby
  
• Try to get help with the feeding routine if you are breast feeding then express the milk and let someone else feed them this is especially good at night as being tired worsens the symptoms.
  
• Try to be flexible, e.g. with sleep times, feeding times etc - it's less stressful for you and your baby.
  
• Sometimes its hard but try to see all the amazing things about your child just look at them and remember that they are a little miracle.
  
• Above all else give yourself a break, new mums are often their own worst critic, just remember that there is no such thing as a perfect mum.
  
• Go to mother and baby groups, meeting other woman in the same position as you will give you a chance to share skills and experiences and to realise you are not alone. Some of our mum don't enjoy these clubs because the mums have been competitive and false but if you feel that try another group, most are great and you can find life long friends
  

Above all to get some emotional and practical support try to speak to your partner, family or to a mid wife or a G.P

If your symptoms are severe there is no point in ignoring them or trying to be brave they will only get worse as time goes on. The first thing to do is to admit how you are feeling and then tell someone who can help, the first step is often the hardest but once you take that step you are on the road to recovery. There is no shame is admitting how you are feeling you are suffering from an illness like any other. Your child needs a mum who feels well and for that to happen you will need help.

Treatment

You may well not need medication to begin feeling better. If your symptoms are mild our mum's say that often just talking about how you feel can make a huge difference, many have turned to self help books or groups and found them hugely beneficial. Medical experts suggest that the best treatment for PND may be a combination of practical support and advice, counselling or psychotherapy, and if necessary, antidepressants.

Puerperal psychosis

Warning: IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THE SYMPTOMS BELOW YOU NEED IMMEDIATE HELP:

severe Insomnia (i.e., no sleep at all )

loss of control with huge mood swings

loss of confidence ( e.g. fear of leaving house, of social interaction, or seeing friends, fear of or withdrawal from looking after baby, fear of being on alone)

thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

scary fantasies

manic behaviour (e.g. cleaning in the middle of the night)

hallucinations or delusions

It may be that you are suffering from puerperal psychosis, fortunately it is fairly rare, affecting only one in 500 new mothers, but it’s the most serious kind of postnatal illness. It can come on suddenly a few weeks after the birth, and starts with the mother being very restless, excited or elated and totally unable to sleep. She may have delusions or hallucinations. She may be manic or have wild mood swings from high to low. Her behaviour may become increasingly bizarre and disturbing to those around her, and she may lose touch with reality. It soon becomes very clear that she needs help, and medical and social support and it is very important that she receives it.

Treatment of Puerperal psychosis
Treatment often involves a hospital stay and the use may include stabilising drugs, strong antipsychotic, and antidepressants. In extreme cases the doctors may want to use electroconvulsive therapy. It may take a long time to recover completely, but the sooner it is diagnosed the better the prognoses.

Warning signs

There are a number of warning signs which can mean that a woman is developing Post Natal Depression. These are listed below:

Warning Signs:

• problems with sleep such as difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, or having vivid nightmares
• feeling very low, or despondent, thinking that nothing is any good,
  palpitations
• obsessive fears about the baby’s health or wellbeing, or about yourself and other members of the family
• thoughts about death
• panicky feelings, panic attacks
• feeling like you are putting on a front
• forcing yourself to do things when all you want to do is sleep
• feeling of overwhelming exhaustion or even quite numb like you have gone past the point where a good night's sleep would make you feel better
• exhaustion following the birth which has developed into extreme fatigue rather than resolving itself within a few weeks following delivery
• bouts of crying or wanting to cry over things which would not normally provoke such a reaction
• being short tempered or snappy an overpowering anxiety, often about things that wouldn’t normally bother you, such as being alone in the house
• desperation for rest
• feeling trapped and unable to find a moment to relax
• feeling unable to cope and then guilty about not coping, or about not loving the baby enough
• headache, night sweats, stomach pains, blurred vision
• being hostile or indifferent to your husband or partner or the people around you
• difficulty in concentrating or making decisions

You may go through one or more of the experiences, although it’s extremely unlikely that you will go through all of them. If you think you have any of the warning signs or just 'aren't feeling yourself' talk to someone you trust and go and see you’re GP or other Medical Practitioner if only for reassurance. If you are developing Post Natal Depression, the quicker you receive treatment the faster you will recover.

When does post natal depression occur?

Post Natal Depression can occur anytime during the first year after delivery though most cases present in the first 4-6 weeks. Sometimes PND starts right after delivery but it can also develop more slowly, often becoming evident 3-4 months following the birth. It is very common for a mother with Post Natal Depression to be unaware of what is happening to her and, if she has never experienced depression before, she may well not realise what is happening to her until the illness has become established and debilitating.

Often looking after a little one means that the mother's focus is on the baby, not herself, and she may not pick up on warning signs of which she might otherwise have been aware. She may also be unwilling to acknowledge that something is wrong. A woman who is developing Post Natal Depression may initially have symptoms of anxiety and so may not recognise her symptoms as 'Post Natal Depression' since depression is only one symptom of the illness

What is Post Natal Depression?

The terms Post Natal Depression PND or Postnatal illnesses PNI are used as an umbrella term to describe a range of symptoms. For this reason it is so important to describe your symptoms carefully when telling your doctor.

The symptoms suffered typically fall into the following categories:

• Depression
• Post Natal Stress Disorder
• Anxiety
• Obsessive Compulsive
• Behaviour/Thoughts

There are varying degrees of PND which can range from mild to severe. It is thought that around 80% of all mothers experience the baby blues which normally improves within a few weeks, the symptoms include weepiness, sleeping difficulties and mood swings. Doctors suggest that the baby blues may be down to changes in hormone levels that happen after the birth, but others say it’s brought on by the experience of being in hospital. Although having the baby blues is distressing, it’s important to know that it clears up quickly, usually within a couple of weeks.

If the depression continues then it maybe Post Natal Depression, it is estimated that up to 50% of mothers experience some form of mild Post Natal Depression with between 10-20% experiencing the illness in its more severe form. 1-2% of mothers will develop Post Natal Psychosis which is different to Post Natal Depression and the most severe form.

Common misconception

The first thing to realise about post natal depression is that it is common, yes I said common, so why I ask myself is it that you hear very little about it? The answer is that sadly many woman still suffer still do so in silence. Many woman who have suffered say that they hid there feeling because they were terrified of peoples reactions, they thought people would think them a bad mother, weak because they couldn't cope, that they may take their baby away because they are not fit to look after them. The fact is that no one should be ashamed there is help out there and the good news is that most woman do recover and go on to lead normal, what ever that is lives.

Causes of PND

As with many illnesses the causes of Post Natal Depression are not entirely clear though there are identified risk factors which, when combined, may contribute to the development of Post Natal Depression in some cases:

Past history of depression or anxiety disorder

• Hormonal Change
• Upheaval due to moving house or job
• Difficulties Conceiving
• Loss, or unresolved emotional issues with mother
• Past miscarriage or loss of a child
• Loss of identity due to loss or change in work life
• Past life trauma associated with parenthood, childhood, neglect or abuse
• Low self esteem
• Bereavement
• Lack of support from partner
• Unresolved emotional issues with partner

Post Natal Depression can occur with any baby, a woman may be fine with the first but then develop it with her second baby, or have Post Natal Depression with number one but not with subsequent babies, it is also worth noting that the symptoms of can develop during pregnancy. It can happen to anyone regardless of status, wealth, age, IQ, race, etc. It effects up to 100,000 women every year that is roughly 1 in 10 new mothers.