What are the treatments for post-natal depression?

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The type of treatment that is best for you can depend on various things including:

How severe your depression is and what symptoms you have.
The impact of your symptoms on your ability to function (to look after yourself and your baby).
Whether you have had depression or other mental health problems in the past.
The likely waiting time for any of the treatments.
Your current situation.

Together you and your doctor should be able to decide which is
the right treatment for you. The following are some of the treatments
available. More than one treatment may be suggested in some cases.

Support and advice

Understanding and support from family and friends can help you to recover. It is often best to talk to close friends and family to explain how you feel rather than bottling up your feelings. Support and help from a health visitor can also help. Do tell your health visitor if you feel depressed as they may be able to talk things through with you.

Independent advice about any social problems may be available and of help (money issues, child care, loneliness, relationships, etc). Ask your health visitor about what is available in your area. Also, ask about which support or self-help groups are available. You may be surprised at how many women feel the same way as you. Self-help groups are good at providing encouragement and support, as well as giving advice on how best to cope.