On Air Archive

Word On Post Natal Depression

Our thanks to Dr Andrew McCulloch at the Mental Health Foundation for his participation in this weeks report.

Research shows that around half of mothers feel that they have suffered postnatal depression at some point.  As our research revealed, only a fraction are diagnosed with a great many unable to discuss their symptoms with family or friends, suffering in silence.  As I mentioned on air, depression isn’t a sign of weakness, in fact you have to be tremendously strong to be able to live with your symptoms and face the outside world as if nothing was wrong. Post Natal Depression is not a sign of being a bad parent nor is it something you can just snap out of…it requires professional help.

There’s a big difference between feeling a little tired or a feeling a little peaky and clinical depression

Depression is one of the most common conditions in the UK, affecting one in five people at some stage in their life. It is also one of the most misunderstood. The World Health Organisation estimates that by 2020 depression will be the biggest global health concern after chronic heart disease. The word 'depression' is used to describe everyday feelings of low mood which can affect us all from time to time. Feeling sad or fed up is a normal reaction to experiences that are upsetting, stressful or difficult; those feelings will usually pass.

If you are affected by depression, you are not 'just' sad or upset. You have an illness which means that intense feeling of persistent sadness, helplessness and hopelessness are accompanied by physical effects such as sleeplessness, a loss of energy, or physical aches and pains.

Sometimes people may not realise how depressed they are, especially if they have been feeling the same for a long time, if they have been trying to cope with their depression by keeping themselves busy, or if their depressive symptoms are more physical than emotional. Many new mothers will experience baby blues/mood swings, crying spells and feelings of loneliness three or four days after giving birth. Post-natal depression will however last for much longer and will include symptoms such as panic attacks, sleeping difficulties, having overwhelming fears about dying, and feelings of inadequacy and being unable to cope. Starting two or three weeks after delivery, it often develops slowly, making it more difficult to diagnose. Often it goes unrecognised by the woman herself, or by her family

I’m grateful to you the Netmums organisation (www.netmums.com) for the following check list, if you are suffering from 3 or more of the following symptoms every day for 10 days or more you may have post-natal depression and should seek the help of healthcare professional

Constantly feeling tired. No energy

Sleeping problems - can't get to sleep or waking in the early hours and not being able to get back to sleep

Crying a lot, often over the smallest things or for no reason at all

Can't eat or over-eating

Feeling emotionally disconnected from or even rejected by the baby or

Overly anxious and over protective of the baby//Lack of motivation to get up and do anything

A constant underlying sense of anxiety maybe escalating into panic attacks. Easily "set off" and difficult to calm down

Difficulty concentrating, say on a book or film or even on a conversation

Putting on a front. Feeling like you are playing out a role rather than just living the moment

Strange, frightening thoughts or visions popping into your head about harming yourself or the baby or awful things happening

Feeling lonely and isolated. Perhaps feeling rejected by friends, family, even your partner and your baby or children

Sense of feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope

No interest in sex

Feeling guilty about everything - especially about being a such bad mother

Physical aches and pains, such as headaches, stomach pains or blurred vision and worrying that it is something terminal or serious

Treatments: Treatment for depression can involve a variety of different approaches, including medication and talking treatments. Often people find that a combination of these work best.

Eight Ways You Can Help Someone With Depression: Remember that they cannot help being affected by depression. Encourage them to talk and listen to what they are saying. Let them know that you care about them. Stay in contact with them. Send a card, give them a ring, visit them in their home.  Remember that depression can be a very isolating experience. Help them to feel good about themselves by praising daily achievements. Encourage them to help themselves by adopting self-help techniques. Find out about support services available to them and to you (self-help groups, out of hours emergency support, helplines, etc..see below).Encourage them to visit their doctor, and ensure that they take any prescribed medication as directed.

Talking To Someone Who Is Depressed: DO SAY You're not alone in this. You are important to me. Do you want a hug? You are not going mad. We are not on this earth to see through one another, but to see one another through. When all this is over, I'll still be here, and so will you. I can't really understand what you are feeling, but I can offer my compassion. I'm not going to leave you or abandon you. I love you (if you mean it). I'm sorry that you're in so much pain. I am not going to leave you. I am going to take care of myself, so you don't need to worry that your pain might hurt me.

DON'T SAY There's always someone worse off than you are. No one ever said that life was fair. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. So, you're depressed. Aren't you always? Try not to be so depressed. It's your own fault. I think your depression is a way of punishing us. Haven't you grown tired of all this me, me, me stuff yet? Believe me, I know how you feel. I was depressed once for several days. Have you tried chamomile tea?

Help & Support: The Meet A Mum Association (Mama) was created to try and help thousands of mothers who feel depressed and isolated when their babies are born. Helpline: +44 0845 120 3746 - 7pm - 10pm Weekdays Only www.mama.co.uk//PNI-UK//PNI-UK is a registered charity for women and their families who have, or think they have, any type of antenatal or postnatal illness. http://www.pni-uk.com//Association for Post Natal Illness

http://www.apni.org PostNatal illness-Support & Help Association

Website of a registered charity for women and their families who have or think they have any type of antenatal or postnatal illness.
Url: http://www.pnisha.org.uk

The Mental Health Foundation www.mentalhealth.org.uk

Depression Alliance www.depressionalliance.org