postnatal depression

Postnatal Depression

What is Postnatal Depression?

Postnatal Depression is basically a depression that occurs shortly after a woman has given birth.

It may come out as worrying too much about the baby's health, blaming yourself for things, not being able to sleep properly, fear of harming yourself or your baby, not wanting to keep the baby, or other symptoms that occur in general depression.

Postnatal Depression should not be confused with Postnatal Blues which is much shorter lasting, and involves things like moodiness, crying a lot, and feeling down.

How Common Is It?

Between 1 in 10 and 1 in 6 women suffer from Postnatal Depression. This is as opposed to over 1 in 2 women who get Postnatal Blues.

When Does It Start?

It usually starts between 2 and 6 weeks after a woman has given birth. Postnatal Blues occur during the first week after birth.

What Causes It?

Nobody is really sure, although it has been shown to be linked to people who have previously suffered from mental health problems, and people who have recently gone through stressful times. Also, you are much more likely to suffer from it if you have gone through Postnatal Blues during the inital week after giving birth.

The good news is that 9 out of 10 cases last less than a month. However, about 1 in 25 women are still depressed a year after having given birth.

What Treatments Work?

Sometimes nothing more than support and reassurance from family and friends is needed. However, more severe cases are often treated with antidepressant medication and counselling.

Other forms of psychological treatment are sometimes used for longterm sufferers. These are the same as those used in treating Depression.

* RECOMMENDED BOOKS *

If you are interested in going into even more depth, the following book(s), sold by are recommended by us.

Each is followed by a rating for ease of reading (1-3).

1 = Simple and Easy to comprehend.
2 = More Complex, but still a good read.
3 = Very Complex, really for professionals/those studying to degree level.

"Clicking" On a Book will take you to Amazon where if you "Click" on the shopping basket you will be able to buy it.

Postnatal Depression (Welford)
Price £4.79 Save £1.20
RATING = 2 Cheap, Practical & Sympathetic, answers most of the questions you may have and includes some good examples.

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