Do I have postnatal depression?

Remember that having one symptom does not necessarily mean you have postnatal depression. Here is a list. You may recognise some of these descriptions.

You stay at home and avoid going out. You are afraid to be criticised and told you are doing it all wrong.

You feel lethargic, neglect yourself or your baby or you may feel manic, not able to slow down. You feel like crying all the time, or want to cry but are not able to. You are irritable and cross with people you usually like.

You are afraid that you will accidentally ‘drop’ your baby. If you are considering harming yourself or harming your baby go to see someone to talk about it sooner rather than later. However there is a difference between a fleeting thought of regret about having had a baby and actually contemplating this as an option.

You may feel nothing for your baby. This can sometimes happen if you have been separated after the birth, or if your baby was premature and some time in the intensive baby care unit, or if you expected a boy, but had a girl, or the other way round. You have no joy in holding and looking at your baby.

You cannot sleep, not because of the baby, but other thoughts that worry you, for instance your body, and how it has changed. You may feel anxious and have symptoms such as headaches, heart palpitations and so on.

You may have been depressed since before the birth.

You feel sad, guilty for not being happy and you have to pretend that you are happy, when you actually feel very different inside.

What is postnatal depression?
Reasons for postnatal depression
Coping Strategies
Parent-Infant Counselling
Useful contacts

Consultations with Monika