Postnatal Depression Is No Longer a Taboo

Depression is difficult enough to deal with but understandable after a bad event like a bereavement or an accident.  

Postnatal depression is that weird bout of low mood, fatigue, and restlessness that occurs after what should be a happy event. Perhaps that’s why women have always found it difficult to talk about and struggled to find the support they need, but now you can get help wherever you are in the world, be that a psychiatrist in Colorado or a counsellor in London. 

Dealing with Depression 

There are so many better ways these days to manage depression than reaching for the pill bottle. Depression is a spectrum ranging from low mood to something very severe and clinical, and this does require medical intervention. 

Most people feel depressed at some point in their life. We look out for the symptoms of depression; we know what they are. We are also much more aware of conditions like anxiety and fearfulness, now openly discussed.  

For wellbeing and mental health, there are self-help techniques like meditation, CBT and just good old-fashioned exercise, plus newer support methods like animal assistance.  

Everyone is familiar with guide dogs or service dogs and has seen the advertisements on how to train your dog to be a service dog. Now you can have a psychological support animal whose training has taught it how to support you when coping with a mental illness or psychological problem. 

Is Postnatal Depression Different? 

Attempting to get over low moods and lack of energy when you suffer from sleep deprivation and clinging to a hormonal rollercoaster as the body readjusts after the birth is challenging. No wonder it’s hard to spot. 

Postnatal depression is different because it can be more easily hidden, confused with hormonal changes and other emotions. Symptoms can also develop gradually, and many women are simply not aware that they have it. 

Feeling tired and emotional is all part of the package of a new born, isn’t it? However, with postnatal depression, those feelings can persist.  

Postnatal or postpartum depression is now gaining airtime like other illnesses, due partly to celebrities and plenty of ordinary women speaking out about their experiences. Just hearing someone else talk about it can be the first step on the road to recovery for some new mums. 

What’s the Treatment for Postnatal Depression? 

It’s surprisingly similar to other forms of depression. Talking therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, self-help…some mums who have had it before will recognise the signs the second time around and have learned how to deal with it. 

Counselling is available with a mental health professional such as a psychologist or a psychiatrist. Anti-depressants are also an option. Sometimes, a combined approach is used.  

Final Thoughts 

Huge progress has been made in breaking down the taboos of mental health conditions, illnesses and problems everyone suffers from at some point in their lives to varying degrees. Find the person who has never experienced low mood, anxiety or difficulty sleeping. 

Postnatal depression is one of the last taboos to crumble, benefiting from the more open landscape of mental health in general. Often passed over as ‘baby blues’ or ‘just hormones’, postnatal depression is no longer a secret.