Postnatal Depression
How can I tell if I have postnatal depression?
Postnatal depression can bring symptoms such as low mood for long periods of time (weeks or more).
- Tearfulness and irritability for a lot of the time.
- Anxiety which is associated with depression. You may find yourself worrying excessively about your baby getting ill.
- You may find that you lose interest and motivation lacking the energy to keep the daily routine going.
- You may have difficulty sleeping and feel constantly tired just wanting to sleep all the time.
- You may experience physical signs of tension such as headaches and stomach pains.
- You may feel guilty believing that you are not a good enough mother and feel that you cannot cope.
- You may lose interest in having a physical relationship with your partner.
- You may lose your appetite or, on the other hand, find that you eat excessively.
- You may simply be constantly getting physically unwell experiencing endless aches and pains.
- Some mothers get frightening thoughts about harming their baby. This does not mean that you are a bad mother.
- You may feel lonely and fearful of telling anyone how you feel.
Every mother can experience some of these symptoms. It's the degree with which you experience them and whether they constitute more bad days than good ones which can signify postnatal depression.
See Also:
What is the difference between Postnatal Depression and Baby Blues?
What should I do if I suspect that I might be suffering from postnatal depression?
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