Postnatal Depression - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
Postnatal depression is the most prevalent mood disorder with childbirth and affects up to 15% of childbearing women. Research indicates that postnatal depression is the result of a combination of physical, mental and social factors which need to be taken into account when considering treatment options.Postnatal Depression (PND) is a recognised and treatable illness which affects approximately 10-15% of mothers and 10% of fathers. It may come on immediately after the arrival of the baby but can also present later, or go unrecognised for weeks or months.
Adjusting to life as a mother can be difficult. In fact, for many women, having a baby is the most significant life-changing event they will ever experience. Adjusting to this major life change, as well as coping with the day-to-day stress of a new baby, can make some women more likely to experience depression at this time, particularly if they’ve experienced depression in the past.
Causes
It is likely that a number of factors are involved. The illness may arise partly because of the hormonal changes following childbirth. The stress of looking after a young baby and having your sleep disrupted may also help to bring on the illness in susceptible people.
Hormonal changes may be one cause of baby blues. After delivery, the levels of oestrogen and progesterone drop. The mother experiences a similar change during PMS (premenstrual syndrome).
Exhaustion from strenuous labour, too little sleep, painful stitches, sore nipples, often give the feeling that she will not be able to cope with motherhood and the responsibilities that come with it.
Symptoms
Sleep disturbance unrelated to baby’s sleep needs - most women with a young baby fall asleep as soon as they are able to. Women with PND often lie awake for hours feeling anxious while the baby sleeps. Some women have trouble falling asleep or wake early in the morning, and may have bad dreams. Appetite disturbance - women may feel totally uninterested in food and say “I force myself to eat because I am breastfeeding, but I don’t taste anything”. Sometimes women overeat in an attempt to control their anxiety or forget to eat.
Around one in eight mothers develop postnatal depression (PND). It can happen either a few days or weeks after the birth, with a slow or sudden onset. Some women may even experience depression during the pregnancy (this is called antenatal depression).
Treatment
Most women with PND will eventually feel better and more able to do things they enjoy but that can take many months and sometimes years. Anti depressant medication may speed up this recovery time and help mothers to manage, especially to sleep better.
Understanding and support from family and friends can help you to recover. It is often best to talk to close friends and family to explain how you feel rather than bottling up your feelings. Support and help from a health visitor can also help. Do tell your health visitor if you feel depressed as they may be able to talk things through with you.
