Well, nobody can say whether you will or won't get it, but we can say that up to 50% of mums are likely to suffer from it.
And that's a lot of distress and anxiety by any measure.
It is so common, and yet, the subject is almost taboo amongst new mothers - there seems to be some sort of stigma around PND - and a lot of sufferers think that if they admit to it, they'll be thought of as 'a bad mother' or 'weak'.
Often dismissed as the "After Baby Blues", it is in fact something considerably more serious, and sufferers really deserve more than the well meaning "Give yourself a shake, you'll get over it" type of advice which is so often dispensed.
Here, of course is another issue - the male partner is often liable to scoff at the mere thought of post natal depression.
"How can it be", they ask.
"She's got a great little baby, a loving partner and a lovely home.
What more could she want" is a common reaction.
There is a great need for education in this area.
Just like any other kind of depression, it can be classified as mild, moderate or severe.
If it is mild, you'll probably feel a bit low, with two or three of the other common symptoms which I'll talk about in a minute.
You'll still be able to get on with life, though, and function pretty well normally.
In moderate cases, the same low mood is present, but with more, maybe five or six of the common symptoms, and people find it difficult just to get through the day.
Severe PND is a much more serious issue.
Low mood is of course present but with several of the other symptoms we are going to discuss- it can, in fact, be life threatening.
Thoughts of suicide and actual attempts are not unknown, and it is appalling that a lot of tragedy and grief could be avoided if women would just open up about what they are going through.
If you ever find your self thinking this way - GET HELP IMMEDIATELY! PND or "Post Natal Illness" as it is sometimes referred to presents itself in many different ways, with lots of different symptoms - let's have a look at some of them:
The very first step to getting better is to recognise that there is a problem, and to get help.
Your healthcare practitioner should be your first port of call - she will be able to point you in the right direction, and if necessary prescribe medication to help.
Latest generation anti-depressants are very effective - although they do take a little time to work.
However, medication on its own is not always the complete answer.
It does help you feel better and function better, but it does not deal with the often sub-conscious thoughts and misconceptions connected with the illness.
The best treatment is often a combination of medication and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which is a short term, highly effective and interactive form of therapy which is now available on the NHS in the UK.
Finally, if you suspect that you have PND, or a friend has - do something about it.
Talk about it, see your doctor about it, get help, and begin to enjoy your new baby.
And that's a lot of distress and anxiety by any measure.
It is so common, and yet, the subject is almost taboo amongst new mothers - there seems to be some sort of stigma around PND - and a lot of sufferers think that if they admit to it, they'll be thought of as 'a bad mother' or 'weak'.
Often dismissed as the "After Baby Blues", it is in fact something considerably more serious, and sufferers really deserve more than the well meaning "Give yourself a shake, you'll get over it" type of advice which is so often dispensed.
Here, of course is another issue - the male partner is often liable to scoff at the mere thought of post natal depression.
"How can it be", they ask.
"She's got a great little baby, a loving partner and a lovely home.
What more could she want" is a common reaction.
There is a great need for education in this area.
Just like any other kind of depression, it can be classified as mild, moderate or severe.
If it is mild, you'll probably feel a bit low, with two or three of the other common symptoms which I'll talk about in a minute.
You'll still be able to get on with life, though, and function pretty well normally.
In moderate cases, the same low mood is present, but with more, maybe five or six of the common symptoms, and people find it difficult just to get through the day.
Severe PND is a much more serious issue.
Low mood is of course present but with several of the other symptoms we are going to discuss- it can, in fact, be life threatening.
Thoughts of suicide and actual attempts are not unknown, and it is appalling that a lot of tragedy and grief could be avoided if women would just open up about what they are going through.
If you ever find your self thinking this way - GET HELP IMMEDIATELY! PND or "Post Natal Illness" as it is sometimes referred to presents itself in many different ways, with lots of different symptoms - let's have a look at some of them:
- Lacking energy and beingtired all the time.
Just copingwith a new baby is hard enough, but here may of course be other reasonsfor this such as thyroid problems or anaemia - ask your GP to check. - Low mood - just feelingreally down
- Change in your appetite -either too little or too much!
- Difficulty in enjoying the things you used to.
- Feeling that yourrelationships - with your friends, parents or partner are going astray
- Sleeping problems - notgetting off to sleep, waking early or waking in the early hours and notbeing able to get back to sleep
- Anxiety on wakening - just wishing the day would go away.
- Being tearful and crying,often for no reason at whatsoever.
- Feeling rejected, isolatedand not understood
- Physical symptoms such as pains,headaches, dry mouth and so on.
- Finding it difficult to getmoving, to finish things you have started or to start new tasks, wishing you didn't have to get up and do anything, or feeling that things arepiling up around you.
- Feeling anxious and panicky, sometimes with no reason
- Difficulty concentrating,feeling detached
- Sense of feelingoverwhelmed and unable to cope
- Losing interest in sex
- Feeling guilty about yourability as a mother
- Being over protective ofyour baby
- Feeling no real emotionalbond with your baby, or even imagining at times that you hate it.
Feeling emotionallydisconnected from or even rejected by your baby. - Having awful thoughts aboutharming yourself or the baby.
The very first step to getting better is to recognise that there is a problem, and to get help.
Your healthcare practitioner should be your first port of call - she will be able to point you in the right direction, and if necessary prescribe medication to help.
Latest generation anti-depressants are very effective - although they do take a little time to work.
However, medication on its own is not always the complete answer.
It does help you feel better and function better, but it does not deal with the often sub-conscious thoughts and misconceptions connected with the illness.
The best treatment is often a combination of medication and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which is a short term, highly effective and interactive form of therapy which is now available on the NHS in the UK.
Finally, if you suspect that you have PND, or a friend has - do something about it.
Talk about it, see your doctor about it, get help, and begin to enjoy your new baby.
Source...