Postnatal anxiety: shedding light on a common but rarely discussed issue
An ITV News investigation into perinatal mental illnesses has found a shocking lack of awareness about an all-too-common condition.
Figures show that up to 20% of women will develop a mental illness during pregnancy or after birth, and it can happen to anyone.
But while most have heard of postnatal depression, there is another illness which is almost as common and can be just as devastating - postnatal anxiety.
A survey by ITV News in conjunction with the charity PANDAS, who provide help and support for parents suffering with perinatal mental illnesses, found that while the numbers of women with postnatal anxiety was relatively high, very few people had heard of it.
In the South West:
As part of ITV News' exclusive Keeping Mum series we're shedding light on this issue, which can leave some parents feeling trapped inside their own homes.
For Cat Lewington from Frome, just getting out her front door is a challenge.
The condition has left Cat trapped inside her own home in Frome with her two young children - the only place she feels safe.
Postnatal anxiety is one of many illnesses women can suffer during pregnancy and after birth, yet few seem to be aware of it.
Kathryn Bundle, a Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist, says the condition can leave mothers in a constant state of terror and torment:
Hannah Sturland from Tiverton had postnatal depression after her first child. Then when her daughter was born she was diagnosed with severe anxiety as well.
Hannah is not alone. Hundreds of women who took part in our survey have similar stories.
NHS England has now announced funding to help an extra 30,000 women with pre and postnatal illness - including those with anxiety.
For these women it's a welcome move but what they say is really needed is more awareness. Cat says she never got any support for anxiety as no one even considered it as a diagnosis.
These mothers say they're determined to break down barriers and have spoken out in the hope of saving other women from being trapped by anxiety.