What is postnatal depression?
Postnatal depression is a type of depression that affects parents after having a baby. It can begin any time during the first year of having a baby.
While it’s common to feel low or overwhelmed in the early days of parenthood, postnatal depression is more serious and long-lasting. It can impact day-to-day life, relationships, and bonding with your baby. This is hard for parents, and professional treatment can help you rebuild your mental wellbeing and maintain a strong bond with your baby.
Table of contents
- Symptoms of postnatal depression
- Treatment for postnatal depression
- Causes of postnatal depression
- Can postnatal depression be prevented?
- Fathers and postnatal depression
- How to be assessed for postnatal depression
- Looking for support with postnatal depression?
Symptoms of postnatal depression
Both mothers and fathers can experience postnatal depression, although it’s more often associated with women.
Symptoms generally include persistent low mood, lack of interest in activities, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, irritability, or feeling unable to cope with the huge life change associated with having a newborn child.
Other symptoms can include:
- loss of appetite
- problems concentrating
- feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- anxiety around your baby’s health
- feeling tired throughout the day
Treatment for postnatal depression
If you feel you may be struggling with postnatal depression, you should speak to a GP or healthcare professional as soon as possible. There are three main types of treatment for postnatal depression, and they generally work best together.
Medication
Antidepressants, such as SSRIs, help balance the chemicals in your brain that affect mood and emotional responses. A GP or psychiatrist will help you find the right type. If you’re breastfeeding, your doctor will consider this when prescribing to ensure the optimum balance of benefits and risks.
Talking therapy
Talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), can be incredibly beneficial for those with postnatal depression. Talking therapies give you a safe space to explore how you're feeling and develop coping strategies. CBT is one of the most widely used treatments and focuses on changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours. Other therapies, like interpersonal therapy (IPT) or counselling, may also be offered depending on your situation.
Self-care
Looking after yourself is one of the most important things you can do despite it not being easy when you have a newborn. While not a direct replacement for therapy or medication, self-care helps to manage the symptoms of postnatal depression. This includes getting enough rest, eating well, staying physically active, and making time for small moments of relaxation or enjoyment. Staying connected with friends, family, or support groups can also ease feelings of isolation. Remember, you are giving your child so much care, you deserve some as well. It will not always be possible to do this on a regular basis but doing these things when you can should provide some benefit.
Causes of postnatal depression
Although there is not one direct cause for postnatal depression, there are a number of factors that make it more likely.
The most common contributing factors include:
- existing mental health problems
- past physical or psychological trauma
- recent stressful events
- feeling isolated
- being in a difficult relationship with your partner
Can postnatal depression be prevented?
Postnatal depression can't always be prevented. However, some steps may reduce the risk or help you feel more supported after giving birth. If you've had depression or anxiety before, it’s important to speak with a health professional early in your pregnancy to ensure that you have the right support.
Accessing mental health support during pregnancy, building a support network, and taking care of your physical and emotional well-being can all help. This might include attending antenatal classes, prioritising rest where possible, and having open conversations with your partner, family, or healthcare team.
Fathers and postnatal depression
Postnatal depression doesn’t only affect mothers. Fathers and non-birthing partners can also experience mental health struggles after the birth of a child. Hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, new responsibilities, and changes in relationship dynamics can all contribute.
Support is available. Non-birthing partners experiencing symptoms should speak to a health professional. Addressing mental health early helps both the parent and the wider family.
How to be assessed for postnatal depression
If you think you may have postnatal depression, the first step is to speak to a health professional. This could be your GP or your private mental health provider. They will ask about your signs, how long you've had them, and how they're affecting your daily life.
A GP or private psychiatrist can make a formal diagnosis and recommend treatment options. You might also be asked to complete a short questionnaire about your mood, which helps guide the next steps.
If you’re going through a private provider, you may be able to access specialist support more quickly and choose from a wider range of therapy options. Either way, getting help early can make a significant difference to your recovery.
Looking for support with postnatal depression?
If you are looking for a depression assessment or psychotherapy treatment tailored to your postnatal depression experiences, find out more on our psychiatric assessments page.
If you would like to get in touch for more information or to discuss therapy options, you can request a free confidential call back from one of our trained assistant psychologists.
As the UK’s largest private mental health partnership, we're dedicated to supporting children, adults, families, and organisations nationwide. Let's start your journey towards clarity and support today.
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Clinically reviewed
- Dr Angus McLellan