Symptoms

Not all symptoms have to be present to be diagnosed with PND.  You may display just one of the symptoms or a combination of them.  It doesn't even have to be your first baby as you can suffer PND after any birth even if you have or haven't suffered PND in the past.  The symptoms are much the same as those exhibited in a person suffering ordinary depression.  Here are some of the symptoms that may be experienced if you are suffering with PND:

• LOSS OF APPETITE but at the same time you may have feelings of hunger but find yourself unable to eat.  It is important to eat properly to give yourself the necessary energy to care for a baby, it is especially important if you are breast feeding.
• Feeling "LOW", "DOWN", "MISERABLE", "DEPRESSED" and TEARFUL most of the time and for no apparent reason.  This feeling is present most of the time and you may find that it is worse at certain times of the day.
• SLEEP PROBLEMS - This may be that you are finding it difficult to get to sleep or you are waking regularly, waking early and not being able to drop back off or having vivid nightmares.
• LETHARGIC- having no energy for example sometimes not wanting to get up and get dressed or do anything.
• DESPONDENT - feeling as if there is no hope, that life is a long black gloomy tunnel not worth traveling down and that nothing in it is any good.
• UNABLE TO ENJOY YOURSELF - This will be quite prominent as you have been preparing for the baby for months and now that the baby has arrived you find that you are not enjoying them as much as you were expecting.
• GUILT - feeling guilty for not loving your baby as much as you thought, not enjoying the baby, not coping with the baby and motherhood and even for shouting at the crying baby.
• Feelings of being "WORTHLESS" and "HOPELESS".
• Indifference or HOSTILITY to a loved one.
• ANXIETY occurs frequently.  It can take many forms from feeling TENSE and always "ON EDGE" to panic attacks.  You may be anxious about things that wouldn't normally bother you such as being alone in the house or going shopping.  It is normal for all mothers with a new baby to face some problems which sometimes can prove difficult.  However, if you are suffering PND you will be unable to see a way through the problem and feel more "UNABLE TO COPE".
• PANIC ATTACKS may occur at any time and are characterized by a rapid heartbeat, feelings of sickness or faintness and sweaty palms.
• DIFFICULTY CONCENTRATING , MAKING DECISIONS or THINKING STRAIGHT.
• RESTLESS.
• PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS such as stomach pains, blurred vision or headaches.
• OBSESSIVE THOUGHTS about health - your own, your baby's, partners or your families.
• LOSS OF SELF  CONFIDENCE.
• AVOIDING OTHER PEOPLE.
• FEELING HOPELESS, like nothing will make things better.
• SUICIDAL - thinking about death is very common.  Mothers with PND often feel that there is no way out of their problems and a solution would be if they and maybe their family were dead.  If you feel this way it is VERY important that you tell somebody how you feel.  There are ways out of any difficulty and suicide is not the answer.  The thoughts will be very frightening for you and you may feel as if you are going mad or losing the plot.  This probably makes you afraid to tell anyone.  Just because you have the thoughts it does NOT mean that you will actually do any harm to yourself or others.  It has only  happened occasionally to mothers with PND.

Talking about these feelings will bring them out in the open any you will be less likely to act on them.  You can choose who you talk to - your partner, family, friend, Health Visitor or GP.  Your baby will not be taken away from you for talking about these feelings and you will start to receive the treatment that you need.

The earlier that the symptoms of PND are noticed and treated the better for all involved.  Recovery will be much easier and all will be less affected by PND.  Unfortunately PND may not be recognised by the Health Care Professionals due to inadequate training or they may just be too busy to have the time to recognise it.  If after reading this you feel you may be suffering with PND have a look at a screening tool used to aid diagnosis and please speak to your Health Visitor or GP for advice and treatment.  Do not like many mothers suffer in silence when you DO NOT NEED TO.