Recognising PND
Because of the physical and emotional upheaval that becoming a parent entails it's very common for new parents, particularly mothers, to feel low in the early days. At its mildest the experience is known as the baby blues and usually short-lived. However as many as 1 in 7 women suffer from actual depression. Although several of the symptoms of Post Natal Depression (PND) are similar to the baby blues, whereas the baby blues usually last only a few days PND can last much longer, is more intense and debilitating and can be treated.
Unlike the baby blues, PND is most common when the baby is between four and six months old, although it may occur at any time during the first year. It may start gradually and may start as a worsening case of the baby blues, or it may start suddenly. Cases of PND can vary in length and severity, some women may only suffer for a few weeks, while others may take several months to recover.
Common symptoms of PND are as follows:
- Feeling weepy, sad, moody or despondent. Perhaps for much of the day or during certain parts of the day
- Feelings of inadequacy and guilt. Feeling worthless and incapable of doing a good job as a parent. Even minor decisions, tasks or challenges may seem unsurmountable
- Lack of enjoyment and interest. Mothers with PND may find it difficult to get any enjoyment from life and may be disappointed that motherhood is not as they imagined. There may also be a lack of interest in engaging with life or the baby fully and a mother with PND might want to avoid going out or seeing people
- Many mothers who are depressed become anxious. This might be a feeling of being constantly on edge, being overcome by constant worry about their child and their health or suffering from panic attacks
- Suicidal thoughts. At their worst the feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy might cause PND sufferers to question their entire existence and consider that it would be better if they were dead. It's imperative that anyone contemplating thoughts of suicide gets help immediately
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Women suffering from PND may experience sudden flashes of anger, irritability and extreme frustration, making it harder for them to deal calmly with the everyday challenges of relationships and family
- Lack of sleep. While this is common for new parents, PND sufferers may suffer more extreme lack of sleep and feel constantly tired and, unsurprisingly, physically exhausted
- Food and drugs. Some mothers with PND may use food as a crutch or turn to other substances such as alcohol for comfort. Others will find that they lose their appetite, which makes the job of mothering even harder
- Depression can also manifest itself in physical ways with stomach, back or head pains and the usual tiredness and discomforts common to new parents may become unbearable
What causes PND?
The causes of depression are complex and not fully understood. However, the emotional and physical demands of birth and parenthood as well as the hormonal changes post natal women experience probably all feed in to creating conditions for the illness to take hold for some parents. There are also some factors that increase the likelihood of suffering PND.
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A family history of depression
- A personal history of depression, post traumatic stress disorder or drug abuse and addiction
- Where the pregnancy was marked by highly stressful events, such as bereavement, was unplanned and/or unsupported, or takes place in difficult social conditions
Not having suffered from PND with an earlier child does not mean that you won't get PND with future children. Each child enters a family amid different circumstances and changes the family dynamics, so you will still need to adjust.
Coping with PND
PND is an illness, not a weakness, and having the illness does NOT mean you are a bad mother. If you think you are suffering with it then you need to seek help from medical professionals, your partner, family and friends as quickly as possible. If you don't get help then the illness may worsen, last longer than it would with treatment, and have a more significant impact on your life and relationships. The good news is that it is treatable and you don't have to suffer in silence.Read our article on dealing with PND to find out more about what you can do.
