Post-Natal Depression
January 28, 2024
What is Post-Natal Depression?
Post-Natal Depression (PND) is a type of depression experienced by many parents after having a baby. Although PND most commonly starts to set in between 1 and 3 weeks postpartum, it could be at any point within the year after giving birth. Around 10-15% of women are diagnosed with PND, however, it is thought that many more parents suffer without a diagnosis. PND usually sets in gradually, which means that it can sometimes be difficult to acknowledge that you or a loved one is struggling. It’s also important to know that PND can occur after any birth, it doesn’t have to be your first child.
However, the positive news is that after reaching out to receive the right support, the majority of parents do go on to make a full recovery.
Symptoms of PND
The symptoms of post-natal depression are very similar to the symptoms experienced by someone who has depression that isn’t caused by having a baby. The difference is that many of the symptoms of PND are expressed through concern about being a good parent as well as for the health and happiness of the baby. You might experience:
- Constant low mood and tearfulness.
- Anxiety, especially surrounding whether your baby’s needs are being met well enough.
- Feeling as though you should be a better parent.
- Feeling guilty for not feeling ‘full of joy’, in the way that we often expect new parents to feel.
- Experiencing intrusive thoughts, which commonly relate to your baby coming to some kind of harm as a result of your behaviour. For example, ‘What will happen if I drop the baby down the stairs?’, ‘what will happen if I let the pram roll into the busy road?’ (You may also find yourself feeling extremely guilty as a result of these thoughts.)
- Finding it hard to look after your baby.
- Neglecting your own needs (hygiene, appetite, sleep schedule).
- Trouble sleeping, even when the baby is asleep.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Feeling that life is pointless.
- Difficulty bonding with your baby.
Post-Natal Depression or ‘Baby Blues’?
Post-Natal Depression is often confused with what is known as the ‘Baby Blues’, however, there is an important distinction between these two terms:
The Baby Blues are experienced by 80% of mums that have given birth in the last 1 or 2 weeks. It is thought that the Baby Blues are caused by hormonal and chemical changes occurring in the days after giving birth, as the body adapts to no longer being pregnant. Symptoms might include feeling low and emotional, unexplained crying, irritability and anxiety. However, these symptoms shouldn’t be so severe that they heavily interfere with your ability to take care of yourself and your baby. They typically disappear from a week to two weeks after giving birth, after the body has rebalanced itself.
Alternatively, PND is a longer-term condition that typically lasts between 3 and 6 months. The symptoms of PND are generally experienced at a greater severity than they are with the Baby Blues, and you might find that your daily functioning is impacted more seriously. It is also worth remembering that PND is not something that only new biological mums experience – anyone who becomes a new parent is at risk.
Who is most at risk?
While it’s true that all new parents are at risk of PND, some people may be slightly more vulnerable:
- Young parents (mums under the age of 25 and dads in their 20s)
- Those experiencing marital/relationship stress
- Parents with financial worries
- Parents experiencing domestic violence
- Parents who don’t have a support system
- Parents with untreated antenatal depression/anxiety
- Parents with a previous history of mental health disorders
- Mums with a history of more severe PMS
- Having twins or multiples
Fathers and partners
It’s not just the parent who gives birth that is at risk of PND. 10-32% of new adoptive parents suffer from depression post-adoption, and while 3-10% of new fathers are diagnosed with Paternal PND (PPND), it is estimated that many more go undiagnosed too.
In men, PPND may be brought on by similar factors as it is in women, however, fathers whose partners are already suffering are at an even greater risk. Other risk factors for new fathers include:
- Being a first-time parent
- Having a small circle of friends and limited social interaction
- limited education
- Poor physical health
Fathers and same-sex partners may also feel further strain if they have to take on extra responsibilities during their partner’s initial recovery. For example, taking on more of the childcare of older children, more household tasks, and possibly balancing these with working too, meaning there is little time for rest. If this routine becomes a norm rather than a temporary compensation, the risk of PND is even greater. It is important to strike a healthy balance of responsibilities between parents so that both partners get sufficient rest.
While many of the symptoms are the same for men and women (see the list above), some slightly different symptoms are more common in new fathers than new mothers:
- High physical stress (E.g. headaches and muscle tension)
- Fear of looking after your baby, or avoiding taking care of them
- Anger and frustration
- Increased impulsive/risky behaviour
- Escapism via drugs or alcohol
How to help a loved one who has PND
If you think that a loved one may be suffering from PND, it is really important to show them your support and help them through it. There are lots of ways to do this, including:
- Accept that the anxieties and worries they may be feeling are real – the worst thing you can do is judge or minimise how they’re feeling.
- Encourage them to talk to you (or someone else that they trust) about what they’re experiencing.
- Offer practical support with household chores and childcare so that they can get some rest (and remember that babysitting so they can do the housework is not the same thing!)
- Encourage their parenting and give positive feedback.
- Encourage them to set boundaries around having visitors if they need more rest, or during the process of setting their new routines.
- Avoid criticism and remember that PND is an illness and not something that can be ‘snapped out of’.
- Encourage them to reach out to other new parents – making new friends in similar life stages can be hugely beneficial to both parents as well as being great for introducing babies to socialisation from an early age!
- Encourage them to seek professional help if they are finding little or no relief from their symptoms.
Seeking help
Post-natal depression is just as serious a mental health problem as any other type of depression, so it is essential to reach out for professional support if you feel that you are suffering.
It is recommended to first talk to your GP about what you’re experiencing. They will be able to make referrals and recommendations for treatments that might benefit you. It is also important to note that new biological mothers shouldn’t wait for the next postnatal care appointment to raise their struggles – the faster you seek help, the better for you and your family.
The NHS website explains more about the three types of treatment that your GP may suggest:
Self-help
- Talking to friends and family about your worries
- Accept help when it’s offered
- Set boundaries that you are comfortable with
- Rest when you can
- Try to maintain regular exercise and a balanced diet
- Avoid alcohol
Talking therapies
- Guided self-help: perhaps through a book or audio guide.
- Cognitive behavioural therapy: speaking with a trained therapist, either one-to-one or in a group setting, to try and target your negative thought processes.
- Interpersonal therapy: talking with a therapist to try and identify whether some of your relationships with friends/family might be contributing to depression
Medication
- Usually prescribed to those with more serious depression.
- Aimed at improving mood, reducing irritability and helping you to concentrate and sleep.
Useful resources
Apart from speaking to your GP, other organisations have resources to help you overcome symptoms of PND:
PND Awareness and Support (PaNDAS)
Free helpline: 0808 1961 776, or book a call with them.
Mind
The website offers information on a variety of mental health issues, as resources for people in crisis.
Samaritans’s
For urgent help, particularly if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or considering self-harm, call the helpline: 116 123.
Emergency services
For urgent help where there is a serious risk to life or serious risk of injury, call the emergency services: 999.
If you feel you are struggling with your mental health as a new parent, Mindsum has a range of resources and therapy options that may help.