Early Days
Dealing with Depression cont...
Preventing depression
Research has consistently found that social support can help guard against depression. One recent study found that the support of partners and mothers made a real difference to how confident new mothers felt.
Other new mothers can be a great source of support. Part of the NCT’s purpose is helping new parents meet each other, whether through our antenatal and postnatal Early Days courses, postnatal teas, playgroups and events. You can find out more about what we offer parents locally through the NCT website or by following us on Facebook.
Related to this, research shows that new mothers feel the need to talk through their experiences. Indeed the risk of depression increases in women who do not have someone to talk to openly. However new mothers can find it hard to admit to finding things difficult. One of the key benefits of an NCT Early Days course is that it provides a safe environment for mothers to share their experiences, providing reassurance that their feelings are normal.
There are other ways to increase your emotional wellbeing in the postnatal period, for instance getting as much rest as you can and eating properly. Gentle exercise, such as a walk in the park, can be beneficial. Trying not to do too much and being realistic about how much you can achieve at the same time as looking after your baby can also help. We can put enormous pressure upon ourselves to be perfect, but it is much better for you and your baby to aim to be a happy mum rather than a “supermum.”
In her book Postnatal depression: facing the paradox of loss, happiness and motherhood Paula Nicolson advises, “the best survival strategy is to ensure that the low moods, distress and intermittent depression do not last too long. If they join up, severe clinical depression might set in and that is more difficult to shift. A major factor in avoiding prolonged depression is to find a way, however small, of taking control of your life.”
How you take back some control of your life will be very personal to you. It may involve having a haircut, relaxing in the bath, reading a magazine or watching a film.
Dealing with depression
If you are concerned you may have postnatal depression, it is important that you do not suffer alone. Postnatal depression can affect anyone and you are not to blame. Speak to your family and friends to get their support. Talk to your health visitor or GP to see what help is on offer. Treatments for postnatal depression generally include:
- “Talking” therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy or interpersonal therapy either one-to-one with a counsellor or with a group
- “Self-help” therapies such as guided self-help or computerised cognitive behavioural therapy which can be provided by your GP
- Anti-depressants
Unfortunately one of the downsides of living in an area with such a high birth rate is that postnatal health services can be stretched and you may not get the help you need the first time you ask. Don’t give up and remember that there are other sources of support. See our following article for details on accessing support.