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Postnatal depression

Postnatal depression

mental-health psychiatric
0 medicines 22 symptoms

Postnatal depression is a form of depression that many parents go through after having a baby.

It affects more than 1 in 10 mothers within a year of childbirth. Fathers and partners can be affected too, though this is less common.

With the right support, including self-help strategies and therapy, most people recover fully.

Common Symptoms

persistent feeling of sadness and low mood loss of interest in the world around you no longer enjoying things that used to give you pleasure lack of energy and feeling tired all the time trouble sleeping at night that you’re unable to look after your baby problems concentrating and making decisions loss of appetite or comfort eating agitated or irritable feelings of guilt, hopelessness and self-blame difficulty bonding with your baby or not enjoying their company thinking about suicide and self-harm frequently crying for no obvious reason difficulty bonding with their baby getting no pleasure from playing with their baby that they’re not a good parent withdrawing from contact with other people speaking negatively all the time hopeless neglecting themselves, like not washing or changing their clothes losing all sense of time, like being unaware whether 10 minutes or 2 hours have passed losing their sense of humour

⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.

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Medicines Commonly Used

⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.

No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.

Causes

Postnatal depression doesn't have one single, clear cause. A few things seem to make it more likely:

  • having had mental health problems before, especially depression earlier in life or during the pregnancy itself
  • not having close family or friends nearby to lean on
  • a difficult relationship with your partner
  • a stressful event recently, such as losing someone close to you
  • going through the "baby blues" in the first couple of weeks

That said, even when none of these apply, becoming a parent is simply a huge, life-changing event, and that alone can be enough to bring on depression.

Settling into life with a new baby takes time. Caring for an infant can leave anyone feeling drained and under pressure, and that's completely normal to struggle with.

Treatment

Postnatal depression can leave you feeling lonely, distressed and even frightened. But please know that support and effective treatment are available. With the right care, most people recover fully, even if it takes some time and patience.

Talk openly with your GP about the different treatment options, so together you can decide what suits you best.

Your GP may also want to check your physical health, since some physical problems can add to how you feel. For example, you might be anaemic after giving birth, and this can make feelings of depression worse.

Psychological therapies for postnatal depression

Psychological therapies are usually tried first.

Guided self-help means working through a book or an online course, either alone or with some support from a therapist. It focuses on the specific issues you are facing and gives practical advice on handling them. These courses usually run for 9 to 12 weeks.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy based on the idea that unhelpful and unrealistic thinking patterns lead to negative behaviour. CBT works to break this cycle and build new, more positive ways of thinking. It can be done 1-to-1 with a therapist or in a group, and treatment usually lasts 3 to 4 months.

Interpersonal therapy (IPT) involves talking with a therapist about the difficulties you are facing. It looks at problems in your relationships with family, friends or your partner, and how these might connect to your feelings of depression. This treatment also usually lasts 3 to 4 months.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants may be suggested if:

  • your depression is moderate or severe
  • you would rather not try psychological treatment
  • psychological treatment has not helped
  • you have mild postnatal depression along with a past history of depression

If you are breastfeeding, speak with your doctor about which medicines are safe for you. Many antidepressants can be taken safely while breastfeeding. Your doctor should explain the risks and benefits clearly, and offer you the option with the least risk to you and your baby.

Self-help

There is also a lot you can do yourself to feel better and cope more easily. You could try to:

  • ask family or loved ones to help with the baby and with chores like cooking, cleaning and shopping
  • set aside some time for yourself, doing things that feel relaxing or enjoyable
  • rest whenever you can, even though this is hard with a newborn to look after
  • keep to good sleeping habits
  • ask your partner to share the night-time responsibilities, if you have one
  • exercise regularly, since this has been shown to lift mood in people with mild depression
  • eat regular, nourishing meals

Try to avoid:

  • going long stretches without eating
  • drinking alcohol or using drugs, as these can make you feel worse

Support groups

Ask your health visitor or community health worker about support services near you. They may be able to connect you with a social worker, counsellor or local support group. Meeting others going through something similar can be genuinely reassuring, so it is worth asking about postnatal depression support and information available in your area.

Treatments for severe postnatal depression

You may be referred to a specialist perinatal mental health team if your depression is more severe, or if treatments such as antidepressants, self-help or therapy have not helped. Your healthcare team will talk with you about any other treatment options that may suit your situation.

For a small number of people, staying in hospital for a period can help speed up recovery. If your doctor or nurse suggests this, you may be offered a place in a Mother and Baby Unit, where you can continue caring for your baby while receiving the treatment you need.