Post-Natal Depression-It’s Mental Health Awareness week and an important subject.
Where does depression differ from sleep deprivation?
Firstly, be aware the symptoms can show up months later up to a year or more later.
The baby ‘blues’ and tearfulness lasts a few days and occurs shortly after birth. These symptoms disappear within two weeks.
A mother may lose interest in things she used to enjoy and find it hard to get going each day.
She may be tearful, unmotivated and feel more anxious than normal.
She may have irrational thoughts and frightening thoughts, even consider harming her child.
She may show love but not bond properly with her child.
Anxiety may stop her doing everyday activities, like washing up, going out and cause withdrawn behaviour.
She may experience feelings of helplessness, and hopelessness and feel not cut out to be a mother.
Her personality may change from being outgoing, optimistic and organised to being the opposite, lonely, scared and living in chaos.
What to do?
When your child is sleeping but you’re not, if you constantly feel exhausted and have extreme anxiety throughout the day, it’s usually a sign that you are suffering with post-natal depression and it’s time to seek some help. Please know that symptoms are not permanent, the mothers that I have worked with have gone on to live happy and fulfilling lives and have amazing relationships with their children. If you know someone who you suspect is suffering offer a helping hand, take the baby for a walk, cook or maybe do some cleaning and simply listen and be ‘there’ for them.