Post Natal Depression

The following abridged information has been kindly donated by the APNI (Association For Post Natal Illness.) Details of their website can be found on our educational resources page.

Most people today have heard the term 'baby blues' used to describe a mild, short, period of depression which many women experience after childbirth. Fewer people are aware that as many as 10% of all recently delivered women develop postnatal depression. In a proportion of these mothers the depression may be of such severity that they need out-patient psychiatric help and many need drug therapy.

In view of its common occurrence it is surprising that postnatal depression is so rarely mentioned in books about pregnancy and childbirth, and it is not usually discussed in ante-natal classes.

The purpose of this booklet is to give some information about the many symptoms of postnatal depression, from the mildest to the most severe forms. The list of symptoms should not alarm you, women who experience depression will probably recognise a combination of symptoms which apply to their particular case. Do remember that this is a condition which always results in complete recovery, and the distressing symptoms can be abolished by drug therapy.

Sadly, many mothers experience severe depression without recognising it as a treatable illness. This can mean the mother suffering needless distress and can also affect her family and friends. If a mother can recognise her condition then she may seek medical help at an earlier stage of the illness.

AFTER THE BIRTH  

The 'baby blues' usually arrive within the first week after the birth of the baby. The mother may feel very emotional and find that she keeps bursting into tears. She cannot explain why she is upset, and is not easily cheered up. She should be allowed to cry and not admonished for being weepy and miserable.

Sometimes the mother feels confused and unable to concentrate, she may read a book but be unable to follow the story. Often her memory becomes very bad and many mothers worry about this.

The 'blues' may be connected with the sudden hormone changes that occur when a woman gives birth.

There are factors other than the 'baby blues' which can make a mother feel depressed after the birth. Many new-born babies have a degree of jaundice or some feeding difficulties in the first week; as these conditions improve the mother will feel happier.

A new mother may feel that she will be unable to cope when at home alone with the baby. This is especially the case with first time mothers. Often the promise of practical help from family and friends can ease the situation, and as the mother learns how to cope at home her feelings of depression lift.

If the mother is worrying about her ability to support the baby financially she can get advice from the social worker in hospital or from her health visitor and local DHSS when she returns home. Many mothers are unaware of the range of benefits to which they are entitled once they have had a baby.

Symptoms of tension, anxiety, sleeping difficulties and poor appetite are very common just after a woman has given birth but they are usually so mild that the mother can live a normal, happy and active life when she returns home. It is however, terribly important that a new mother should get as much rest as possible, especially if she is experiencing a mild patch of the 'blues'. She should make sure that she has at least one proper rest, in bed, every day, until the baby is several weeks old.

In a few cases the 'blues' get worse and the symptoms become more distressing. In this case a mother should see her doctor as soon as possible, as this is a common and treatable condition.

DEPRESSION   

Many mothers begin to feel depressed, increasingly despondent and hopeless soon after the baby is born. They may feel terribly miserable and sad for no particular reason and may find that they spend a large part of each day in tears. Sometimes the mother may feel rejected by her partner, family, friends', or even by the new baby; these feelings usually have no foundation.

The depressed mother may feel permanently tired and lethargic, unable to cope with household chores. She may give up bathing, dressing properly or making-up.

Sometimes the care of the baby is too much for the mother whilst she is unwell and someone else must be found to 'take over' until she has recovered. It is usually inadvisable to separate the mother from her baby, as this may serve to deepen the depression. If a relation or friend cannot be found to keep the mother company and help look after the baby, an advertisement may be placed in a local paper for a ively pensioner who for a small fee will help a convalescent mother with a young baby. This arrangement enables the mother to stay in her own home and keep her baby with her whilst she recovers.

ANXIETY   

A depressed mother may feel extremely anxious about a variety of subjects and situations. She may be worried about her health, possibly having felt unwell since the birth of the baby. She may experience severe pain for which the doctor can find no satisfactory explanation. This pain is often in the head or neck. Other mothers suffer backache, and chest pains which they fear are due to heart trouble. The mother may have a number of minor medical complaints which can cause undue distress.

Pain and a general feeling of illness or constant tiredness are very common symptoms of depression and can become worse if the depression remains untreated.

Anxiety may take the form of unjustified worries about the health and well-being of other members of the family, especially the baby.

The mother may feel too tense and anxious to go out of her home. She may not be able to bear to meet even her closest friends, and may refuse to answer the door, telephone or letters. In this situation shewill not venture out to consult a doctor so a home visit may be required.

PANIC   

A depressed mother is often very confused by everyday situations and may experience feelings of panic. These feelings are unpredictable and often very distressing. She is unable to 'calm down' and every effort should be made to avoid the situations in which she becomes distressed.

TENSION    

Feelings of tension are often associated with depression. The mother who experiences these feelings finds them extremely distressing. She is quite unable to relax' however much she is encouraged to do so. She may feel as if she is about to explode when the tension is at its worst. This type of tension, when it is a symptom of depression, may not be helped by taking tranquillisers. Women taking these drugs should not despair if they do not work, as there are other drugs; which run no risk of dependency; that can be of more help.

OBSESSIONAL AND INAPPROPRIATE THOUGHTS 

A mother suffering from depression commonly has some obsessional thoughts. These may be about a person, a situation or about a certain activity. Some mothers become very frightened and believe that they may harm a member of their family especially the baby. These fears are very common symptoms of depression and may or may not be accompanied by feelings of guilt. Such fears are almost entirely unjustified, but if a mother is afraid that she may hurt the baby then she should tell her family and doctor.

A distressed mother may find the companionship of a suitable relative or friend reassuring. This phase of the illness usually passes quickly once treatment has started to have its effect. The mother will benefit from the company and moral support of a companion as she recovers.

SLEEPING    

Often a depressed mother will have some form of sleeping difficulty. She may be awake until the early hours of the morning, or get no sleep at all. Some find that they sleep very fitfully and waken frequently, others that they wake in the early hours of the morning with nightmares, and then cannot get back to sleep.

Many depressed mothers dread going to bed as their symptoms trouble them more at night. Indeed some mothers find insomnia one of the most distressing aspects of the illness. Often mothers are prescribed sleeping pills by their G.P and find them ineffective even taken in large doses. This situation can cause the mother to feel quite desperate. If the depression is treated normal sleep will be restored.The feeding requirements of a young baby do not help a mother who is having sleeping difficulties. It can be of great benefit if someone else can feed the baby at night.

SEX   

A common effect of depression is a complete loss of interest in sex. This may last for some time, and it is helpful if partners realise that this is a symptom of the illness and that sexual desire will return as soon as the depression lifts. It should be stressed that a return of sexual desire is often the last sign that a depression has lifted and great patience is necessary if a relationship is to be kept intact whilst a mother recovers from postnatal depression.

During the illness physical contact in the form of touching, hugging and cuddling can do much to reassure both partners and is very beneficial.

There are many other symptoms of depression but these are some of the most common and show how this condition can manifest itself in various ways.

HOW THE FAMILY CAN HELP    

Firstly friends or family should make sure that the depressed mother is receiving treatment for her depression from the doctor. If the treatment she is prescribed does not suit her, do encourage her to go back to the doctor and ask him to change it. It can be helpful if someone accompanies the mother when she sees the doctor. This person can then assure the doctor that the mother is ill and not just being 'nervy'

The family should understand that the illness is a temporary one, and that with their help and support the mother will recover. They should realise that it may take a considerable period of time before she is completely better.Please do forget all ideas of 'chivvying' her out of it and accept that she is unwell. Try to treat her as you would if she had a simple physical illness.

When she is feeling unwell, take on as much of the running of the household as she wants to give up. However when she feels better let her do as much as she wants to. You may find that she has patches of good and bad days, this is very common with the illness.

Do remind her constantly that she will get better. Remember that depression is not a sign of weakness; Winston Churchill suffered from it.Often a depressed mother will hate being left alone. If this is so, then try to organise a rota so that there is a/ways someone who is close to her, and whom she trusts in attendance. This is a passing phase of the illness but it is most important that help is given until the mother is happy to be left on her own.

Ultimately anything you can do to help the mother through the distressing stages of this illness will help her towards recovery.

MEDICAL TREATMENT   

Any mother who thinks that she may be suffering from postnatal depression should see her doctor as soon as possible. If she cannot bear to visit the surgery a home visit should be requested.

Try to tell the doctor all the symptoms which are troubling you, as this will help him to correctly diagnose the illness. If he prescribes some treatment find out whether you are being given tranquillisers or anti-depressants. Many women find that tranquillisers do not help them and need to return to the doctor for the treatment to be changed.

Though forms of drug treatment vary, they usually involve the use of anti-depressant drugs. You cannot become addicted to these. You may find if you are taking a tricyclic drug that your mouth becomes dryand you feel rather drowsy but these feelings wear off as you continue to take the drug.

If the drug you have been given unfortunately makes you feel worse then you must tell your doctor and ask him to change it. If you have taken your medication for several weeks and it has not made you feel any better then consult your doctor as you may need a stronger dose or an alternative drug. These drugs do work gently and improvement is gradual so try not to be impatient.

Many women find that their depression becomes worse just before, or during, a period. if this is so youcan ask your doctor to consider progesterone therapy to help prevent this severe form of pre-menstrual tension.

It is important to maintain a good diet, sometimes Vitamin B6 or a general vitamin supplement is given.

It is very beneficial for a woman who has postnatal depression to talk about her illness and its symptoms. Close relations and friends should try to be sympathetic even if they feel bored with these conversations. Often just talking to the doctor (if he is sympathetic) can be a great relief.

When you find a drug which helps you, do not try and persuade your medical adviser to cut the length of the treatment short. You may find when you take the drugs that you improve quickly but remember thadepression is an illness, and give yourself plenty of time to make a full recovery.

If your symptoms should return after you have stopped taking your medication, do not despair, do tell your doctor of your relapse. He will probably put you back onto your previous medication. When you feel better again ask your doctor if you can cut the pills down over a period of time, as this often helps prevent a recurrence of symptoms.

COUNSELLING  

Professional counselling can be very beneficial if you are depressed. Some health visitors offercounselling on a weekly basis, otherwise you may need to ask your G.P to arrange for you to see a counsellor. If your depression is mild, counselling alone may help to lift it. if you are given drug treatment for depression you can still ask for counselling as well as the drugs. Whilst counselling is a very valuable treatment for depressed mothers regrettably in some places counsellors are not available.

Cognitive therapy is a very helpful form of therapy to hasten a recovery from depression. It has the added advantage that it teaches the mother coping skills which may be of use after she has recovered. Cognitive therapy helps mothers change many of the negative feelings that they may have towards themselves and others.

SELF HELP   

The most important thing you can do for yourself is believe that you will get better. You must have a great deal of patience and realise that recovery will take time.

Try to remember that the aches and pains which affect so many mothers during postnatal depression are not the signs of a serious or fatal illness. Many mothers think their headaches signify brain tumours or the pain and tightness in their chest is due to a heart condition. These pains are very common symptoms of depression and worrying about them makes the depression worse, so do try to relax and forget about the pain and you will find that as the depression lifts the pains quickly fade away.

Take as much rest as you can. This is very important, as tiredness seems to make depression worse. If you can, try and get a rest on your bed, every day, and sleep if possible. Avoid late nights if you can, and try to get someone else to feed the baby at night. Some doctors believe that rest, peace and quiet, after the birth can help to prevent postnatal depression, so rest must play an important part in your convalescence.

Do not go on a strict diet or go for long periods without food. Hypoglycaemia - low blood sugar - can make things worse for a depressed mother. If you need to diet cut down on sweet and starchy foods and eat plenty of fruit or raw vegetables when you are hungry.

Most mothers benefit from taking a multi mineral supplement tablet once a day. Do not force yourself to do things which you do not really want to do or which upset you. Treat yourself with a little kindness, and be occupied doing things which do not cause you anxiety.