The symptoms: How do you know if you have post-natal illness?

Do you feel that something just isn't right...that you just don't feel yourself? Could post-natal depression be a possibility? If you are suffering from 2 or 3 of the following you may have post-natal depression

• Constantly feeling tired. No energy
• Sleeping problems - can't get to sleep or waking in the early hours and not being able to get back to sleep
• Crying a lot, often over the smallest things or for no reason at all
• Can't eat or over-eating
• Feeling emotionally disconnected from or even rejected by the baby or
• Overly anxious and over protective of the baby
• Lack of motivation to get up and do anything
• A constant underlying sense of anxiety maybe escalating into panic attacks. Easily "set off" and difficult to calm down
• Difficulty concentrating, say on a book or film or even on a conversation
• Putting on a front. Feeling like you are playing out a role rather than just living the moment
• Strange, frightening thoughts or visions popping into your head about harming yourself or the baby or awful things happening
• Feeling lonely and isolated. Perhaps feeling rejected by friends, family, even your partner and your baby or children
• Sense of feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope
• No interest in sex
• Feeling guilty about everything - especially about being a such bad mother
• Physical aches and pains, such as headaches, stomach pains or blurred vision and worrying that it is something terminal or serious

Postnatal depression or anxiety can affect anyone, but will be more likely if you are already under stress - if you are moving house, have difficulties at work or home, or if you have suffered from depression before.

If you are used to being 'in control' - perhaps have a career and are doing well - then you might be more likely to suffer and will also perhaps find it harder to admit. Or if you baby was much wanted and waited for, the chances are also higher. Many wmen who suffer do so after their first baby is born (and perhaps after subsequent ones too) - others are fine with their first, but find they are sufferning with a later child.

It usually starts within a few weeks or months of giving birth, but some people suffer a year or more after.

Illness in Pregnancy

Suffering from depression during pregnancy is equally common, but even less talked about than postnatal depression. In the same way that some people suffer from swollen ankles or high blood pressure during pregnancy, others can suffer from depression. If you think you might be suffering, the advice on these pages will be of help to you too.

Postnatal depression in Fathers

Some fathers suffer exactly the same symptoms as women with postnatal depression. Watch out for this if you are a new dad, and seek help if you think you might be suffering.