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At least one in 10 mothers suffer from depression after giving birth,
although many cases remain undiagnosed and many women suffer in silence.
It usually begins in the first six weeks after delivery and passes before
the baby reaches his/her first birthday.
Unlike normal depression, sufferers of PND don't realize what is happening
to them. At first they feel anxious, agitated, irritable and have problems
sleeping. Feelings of sadness, negativity, hopelessness, withdrawal,
tiredness, lack of concentration and loss of libido may follow. In severe
cases some women may become suicidal. They may secretly think that any
physical ailment they have is potentially life-threatening and might
allow them to escape from their situation.
In post natal depression there is increased appetite and thirst, in
direct opposition to the loss of appetite in typical depression. Comfort
eating, cravings, binges and eating when lonely and bored, are common.
This leads to a rapid increase in weight, which may contribute further
to depression and sometimes leads to periods of dietary restriction
in the attempt to slim, causing erratic blood sugar levels.
If you suffer from post-natal depression you may find yourself crying
all the time, without knowing why. Your baby crying may set you off
and any small problem can seem monumental. Feeling unable to cope, you
may feel scared to be left alone. Some mothers lose interest in their
baby and may become moody, arguing and shouting at their partner and
children. Others may become physically violent, throwing and kicking
things and sometimes hitting their partner or children.
Relationships and marriages have been known to break up because PND
is often undiagnosed and it seems as if the new mum has suddenly changed
personality.
The irritability experienced during post-natal depression is similar
to that of pre-menstrual tension, swinging between distress and anger.
Post-natal irritability stems from a combination of factors including
hormonal imbalances, tiredness, lack of support and loneliness. A drop
in blood sugar may prompt an outburst. After birth some women are more
vulnerable to changes in blood sugar.
If you are a PND sufferer you may feel physically unwell, with symptoms
including, aches and pains or tenderness. Other characteristics include
dizziness and lethargy, with no energy or enthusiasm to do anything.
Soon after birth your hormones alter drastically. The levels of oestrogen
and progesterone drop suddenly and your body produces the hormone prolactin
for breastfeeding. This hormonal change can have a huge impact on your
emotions.
The myths of motherhood don't help women suffering from post-natal depression,
in fact they may be part of the cause. The media does little to present
the true picture. Images of serene mothers and angelic babies, smiling
in immaculate surroundings, only add to feelings of inadequacy and failure.
Emotional support from a partner or friend is vital for a new mother.
A lack of understanding from friends and family who expect that looking
after a baby should come naturally, may contribute to the new mother's
vulnerability to depression. Women who have had bad childhood experiences
may also, be more prone to PND and unresolved issues may be triggered
by the birth of the baby.
Ante-natal classes need to emphasise the harder realities of bringing
up a child and how it changes your life, as well as looking at the joys.
There is no one cause of post-natal depression. Risk factors include:
- previous depression
- being a single mum or having an unsupportive partner
- having an unwell baby
- general stresses - financial, bereavement, etc.
- a bad labour experience.
A woman can suffer PND without any of the above as predisposing factors.
In many cases sufferers were previously confident, outgoing and independent
woman. Career-orientated women, used to a busy social life, may find
it particularly hard to adjust to the sudden change, if they have to
stop working and become dependent on a partner. They may find themselves
suddenly isolated, trapped and bored from lack of mental stimulation.
Used to having a certain self-image and self-esteem, they may feel they
don't fit into the traditional role of mother and feel alienated from
other mothers.
Trying to create a routine, a new mother may be constantly disrupted
by visitors. She may not want anyone to see her not coping and yet get
depressed when they leave and she's alone again, stuck in the house.
Likewise she may resent a partner's freedom to go out to work every
morning.
One of the reasons women don't admit to their negative feelings is fear.
They are scared that they'll be labelled a bad mother and have their
child taken away. They may also feel ashamed and perceive themselves
as abnormal, not realizing how common post-natal depression is. Fortunately
there is increasing awareness about PND and it is diagnosed more often.
Early diagnosis usually helps the woman to recover sooner.
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