Post Natal Depression

Post natal depression is an illness that affects many women after they give birth to a baby. Unlike the baby blues (which are mild feelings of anxiety and depression that don't last that long) post natal depression may have quite severe symptoms that do not go away without help.

Post natal depression symptoms can vary according to the individual. Many women may experience feelings of extreme anxiety, may feel very emotional, may find it hard to sleep and eat and may feel guilty that they are not loving their baby as they should. Many women find it hard to bond with their baby in this state. In its worst case scenario post natal depression can manifest itself as puerperal psychosis although instances of this are extremely rare.

Post natal depression may not get bad or be diagnosed until a few months after the birth of your baby. In some cases it can come out of nowhere during the first year after giving birth. It is important therefore to talk to your health visitor and/or doctor if you feel depressed after birth. This may be a case of baby blues that clears up naturally after a few days or weeks. But, it may be an indicator, if it lasts longer or has stronger symptoms, that you have post natal depression in a more severe form.

The most common symptoms of post natal depression include:

Feeling 'disconnected' from your baby and not feeling a natural bond.
Feeling extremely tired yet being able to nap or sleep.
Feeling that you cannot cope with the baby or with everyday life.
Feeling guilty that you are not coping with the baby or with everyday life.
Feeling that there is nothing positive likely to happen in the future.
Feeling emotional and teary most/all of the time.
Feeling hungry but not being able to eat or losing your appetite completely.
Feeling anxious about things that have never made you anxious before.
Feeling physically ill.
Feeling resentment and/or anger towards your partner and losing your sex drive.

Your health visitor will be able to help you assess if you are suffering from post natal depression via the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale form and can arrange treatment either via counselling or via medication. It is vital to talk to a medical professional here - don't assume that this means that you have failed or that you will lose your baby. They simply want to help you get better.