Postnatal Depression: Signs and symptoms

If you think you, or a friend, may be suffering from postnatal depression we've created a guide designed to explain and help.

What is postnatal depression?

  • Postnatal depression is one of many many health illnesses women can suffer from during pregnancy and after birth. Other conditions include anxiety, OCD, Post-traumatic stress disorder and psychosis.

  • It can develop at any time during the first year after birth, and you may have been depressed during pregnancy - pre/antenatal depression.

  • Each individual is different, and may experience different symptoms.

What are the symptoms?

  • Low mood for a long period of time

  • Irritable

  • Emotional

  • Panic attacks

  • Lack of concentration and motivation

  • Lack of interest in your new baby and yourself

  • Feeling alone

  • Difficulty sleeping or feeling constantly tired

  • Tension – headaches, stomach pains or blurred vision

  • Decrease in appetite or increased appetite

  • Reduced sex drive

  • Feeling useless, worthless and guilty

  • Feeling overwhelmed with situations

  • Unrealistic expectations of motherhood

Who is affected?

  • Any woman can be affected.

  • There are around 660,000 deliveries each year and it’s thought up to 20% of new mother’s will have a mental illness either during pregnancy or after birth.

What causes a perinatal mental illness?

  • There are lots and lots of factors which can be biological, psychological and social.

  • Pregnancy and the postpartum period is a particularly vulnerable time because women go through huge biological changes as well as dealing with the massive life changing event of motherhood.

  • Experts say Mental Illnesses during this time are different as they can be more rapid in their onset and can be more severe.

What do I do if I feel I may have a perinatal illness?

  • The most important thing to do is to talk about how you’re feeling.

  • Either contact your health visitor, GP, midwife or tell a friend or family member.

  • The earlier you get treatment the quicker you will recover.

Will my baby be taken away?

  • No. Many women suffer in silence as they believe their baby will be taken away but having a perinatal illness does not make you a bad mother.

  • Even for women suffering from psychosis, the most severe form of the illness, there are specialist Mother and Baby Units to treat Mother and baby together.

Is it just women who are affected?

  • Actually no. A recent study by the NCT discovered that a third of dads are worried about mental health and 1 in 10 dads will get paternal postnatal depression.

  • It's thought depression can occur due to the life changing event of being a parent and the extra pressure of earning money to support the family, at a time when many households may have a reduced income.