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.