Postnatal depression (PND) doesn’t discriminate – it can hit anyone at any time, mums and dads included.
Stats reveal it affects one in seven new mums and can occur after the first, last or after all pregnancies and usually occurs after the baby is born and can last up until a year.
Symptoms of postnatal depression include:
- Feeling exhausted
- Feeling Anxious
- Having trouble sleeping
- Having a low mood
- Feeling down or a failure
- Worrying about your baby
- Crying excessively, feeling irritable, mood swings or panic attacks
- Fear of being alone with your baby
- Fear of being alone or going out
Currently, there is no known cause for it with many experts believing it’s down to the surge in hormones a woman experiences during and after pregnancy.
Postpartum anxiety can occur for no particular reason or could occur because either a mum or dad is feeling anxious about a certain situation or event.
Signs of postpartum anxiety include:
- Feeling on edge
- Having constant feelings of worry or fear
- Struggling to sleep
- Worrying about your baby
- Panic attacks
- General anxiety
- Social phobia (fear of going out)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Anxiety during pregnancy can often result in woman being at greater risk for postpartum depression and may also affect pregnancy outcomes.
What’s more, up to half of people who have postnatal anxiety with suffer from postnatal depression at the same time.
If your anxiety is mild, your GP may refer you to talk to someone. For more serious anxieties, you made need treatment with medicine or psychological therapies.
Getting the support you need
If you or someone you know is struggling, then remember you are not alone. Have a look at our story on what every mum who has experienced PND needs to hear as well as our post natal depression archives for ways to get the help you deserve.
For more on the signs and symptoms of postnatal depression visit www.panda.org.au.
Support
PANDA National Helpline www.panda.org.au – 1300 726 306
Beyond Blue www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 224 636
Join our Healthy Mummy support groups for support through other mums, judgement-free!
