Post natal depression affects at least one in ten women who have given birth. Aside from hormones and birth trauma, the most common risk factors for post natal depression are:
- previous mental health problems
- lack of support
- experience of abuse
- low self-esteem
- major life events
You are also at risk of developing post natal anxiety disorders and post natal obsessive compulsive disorder.
The main symptoms of post natal depression (source: NHS)
- a persistent feeling of sadness and low mood
- loss of interest in the world around you and no longer enjoying things that used to give you pleasure
- lack of energy and feeling tired all the time
- trouble sleeping at night and feeling sleepy during the day
- feeling that you’re unable to look after your baby
- problems concentrating and making decisions
- loss of appetite or an increased appetite (comfort eating)
- feeling agitated, irritable or very apathetic (you “can’t be bothered”)
- feelings of guilt, hopelessness and self-blame
- difficulty bonding with your baby with a feeling of indifference and no sense of enjoyment in his or her company
- frightening thoughts – for example, about hurting your baby; these can be scary, but they’re very rarely acted upon
- thinking about suicide and self-harm
Traumatic Incident Reduction is a very effective way of addressing all these symptoms, regardless of what the cause is. Please contact me to book an initial appointment.