Postnatal depression: Symptoms to watch out for
- An inability to concentrate
- Anxiety
- Extreme irritability with others and yourself
- Sleep problems, you're either sleeping too much or too little
- Eating problems, lack of appetite or compulsive eating
- Feeling tired all the time
- Inability to enjoy anything
- Constant sadness, crying more than usual
- Agoraphobia, when you're scared to leave the house or be in social situations
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This involves symptoms such as constantly checking switches or washing hands
- Feeling pessimistic and bleak about the future
- Finding it difficult to concentrate and make decisions
What can you do?
The first step to treatment and recovery is to confide in your midwife or doctor about the way you feel. There are antidepressants that are safe to use in pregnancy, but there are also other treatments such as counselling and support groups.
If there are no support groups in your area, see if your midwife would be willing to start one. Let family and friends know how you feel. Until recently antenatal depression was not recognised, and you may find that you receive additional support from people once they are aware that the condition exists.
For more information on post-natal depression, check out our Health section.
Anne Richley, midwife.
More help and advice
- Get the full facts about postnatal depression
- What to do if you think you're suffering from postnatal depression
- Tips on dealing with post natal depression depression
- Possible problems in your baby's first year
- Read one woman's admission that she resented her daughter
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