Postnatal depression can be very upsetting, and many women feel like they should hide how they are feeling. It can lead some women to feel like they are not a good mother and they have fears about admitting how they are feeling. They often feel worried about asking for help.
Postnatal depression differs from the normal ‘baby blues’ as it continues for longer than the first week or two after birth. Women who have experienced postnatal depression describe symptoms including a feeling of sadness, a total lack of feeling, loss of interest in activities and perhaps a loss of interest in their baby. Other women have reported that they feel hopeless, cry a lot, cannot concentrate and are more forgetful. A general feeling of not being able to cope, high levels of anxiety and a lack of enjoyment of life are also common symptoms.
Postnatal depression can also lead to a loss of appetite or overeating, feeling unwell, losing sleep and panic attacks.
It's important to ask for help from a healthcare professional. Accessing support and treatment as soon as possible is important for recovery. You can speak to your midwife, health visitor or GP. If you’re not comfortable talking about how you are feeling, consider writing it down and asking a trusted friend, family member or your partner to speak to someone on your behalf. It’s important you don’t suffer alone.
Find out more here about accessing support for mental health conditions after the birth.