Everything You Need To Know About Postnatal Depression

Everything You Need To Know About Postnatal Depression
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Postnatal depression (PND) is a very common problem that affects many women after having a baby. It’s normal to feel sad and anxious after giving birth, particularly if you’re feeling tired, confused or worried.

Postnatal depression can affect anyone – including those who have previously had a child, those without a history of depression, and even those who work full-time.

It’s important to talk about postnatal depression because it’s treatable. With the right help, many women recover completely and are able to enjoy their new baby.

Here are some of the signs and symptoms of postnatal depression:

  • You may feel extremely tired all the time and have no energy for things that used to make you happy. You may also find that you’re unable to sleep well at night, which can make you feel more tired during the day.
  • You may feel very anxious about looking after your baby and think that something terrible will happen to her or him if you’re not there all the time – this is known as “overprotective thinking”.
  • You may find yourself crying without any obvious reason or getting angry with other people easily.
  • You might find it difficult to concentrate on anything, even simple tasks like feeding your baby or doing housework. This can make it hard to get through each day without feeling stressed out or overwhelmed by everything that needs doing around the house.

But there are things you can do to help yourself. And if you have postnatal depression, there are things that your partner and family can do to support you.

Here are some things that might help:

  • Contact your GP for support. If you’re worried about your mental health, don’t suffer in silence. Your GP will be able to refer you for counselling or other forms of support if needed. They can also prescribe antidepressants if this is an option for you.
  • Talk with your partner and family about what’s going on. It’s important that they understand how bad things are for you, so they can help when needed. They may not always understand why you’re feeling down or upset, but if they know what problems you’re having and how bad it is for you, then they’ll know how best to support you. They may also be able to suggest things that might help — like getting outside for a walk or having a cup of tea together — and remind you when it’s time for something important like feeding your baby or changing his nappy.

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Anna is an avid blogger with an educational background in medicine and mental health. She is a generalist with many other interests including nutrition, women's health, astronomy and photography. In her free time from work and writing, Anna enjoys nature walks, reading, and listening to jazz and classical music.

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