Postnatal Depression

Am I At Risk?

Perinatal depression can affect any mother, however there is an increased risk if you have experienced any of the following:

• Depression during pregnancy
• Unmet expectations of pregnancy, birth an motherhood
• Complications with pregnancy and/or delivery
• Personal or family history of mental illness
• History of pre-menstrual symptoms (PMS)
• Relationship difficulties with you and your partner
• Significant/stressful life changes
• Single parenthood, or frequently being left to cope on your own (e.g. if your partner works fly-in, fly-out)
• Lack of support networks
• Physical, regional, cultural, or social isolation
• Prolonged baby blues
• Problems with baby’s health
• Having an unsettled baby
• Difficulties with breast feeding
• Sleep deprivation
• Unplanned or mistimed pregnancy
• Socioeconomic disadvantage
• History of alcohol or drug abuse

Helping Someone Else With PND

Information for Dads – ways to support Mum brochure can be downloaded here www.kemh.health.wa.gov.au

Information for family and friends – ways to support new parents brochure is available for download here www.kemh.health.wa.gov.au

Caring for someone with PND – stories of support can be read here www.panda.org.au

How to help a mother who is not acknowledging postnatal depression – read more here www.panda.org.au

Signs & Symptoms

• More bad feelings than good
• Feeling exhausted, empty, sad or tearful
• Feeling overwhelmed by daily tasks
• Lack of interest or pleasure in usual activities
• Lack or increase in level of self care
• Lack of or increase in appetite
• Decreased sexual desire
• Struggling with memory, concentration or decision making
• Feeling inadequate or a failure as a mother and/or partner
• Feeling guilty, ashamed or worthless
• Feeling angry, irritable or resentful
• Feeling a sense of hopelessness about the future
• Insomnia, excessive sleep and/or nightmares
• Withdrawal from social contact, or fear of being alone
• Fear of or for child(ren)
• Worry about harm or death occurring to partner or child(ren)
• Fear of harming child(ren) or self
• Having feelings of wanting to run away from everything

IF YOU THINK YOUR PARTNER OR BABY WOULD BE BETTER OFF WITHOUT YOU, OR ARE HAVING THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE, CONTACT A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL IMMEDIATELY.

Mental Health Emergency Response Line

1300 555 788 (all hours)

1800 676 822 (rural freecall)

What Can I Do?

If you can identify with the symptoms listed, or have been diagnosed with postnatal depression, the following strategies may help you cope:

• Talk to someone about the way you feel. Talk to someone who will help you get help
• Ask for help from health professionals (child health nurse, GP, obstetrician, counsellor or a women’s health clinic)
• Try to avoid isolating yourself
• Increase support networks, see community service links
• Join a PND support group
• Communicate with your partner, supporting family and friends about PND
• Have support contact numbers readily available in case you need to access them

Other lifestyle strategies include:

• Maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise
• Catching up on lost sleep if you are able
• Asking for help with the baby, housework, meals etc from family, friends or outside help
• Make time for yourself – do something you enjoy

Information for Mums – ways to support yourself pdf can be downloaded here www.kemh.health.wa.gov.au

Helpful activities for Mums activity brochure can be found at www.kemh.health.wa.gov.au

What Is Postnatal Depression?

Postnatal depression (or PND) is the name of a mood disorder that women may experience following childbirth. Up to 13% of women will experience postnatal depression.

Postnatal depression can affect women for many months, even years. Postnatal depression often goes unrecognised by women, partners, family, friends, and sometimes even health professionals.

Some women pretend that they are coping with motherhood because they don’t understand that they are suffering from a mental illness and need professional help.