Postnatal Depression

Postnatal depression is a depressive disorder that occurs in the weeks or months following childbirth. While it is common for women to experience the “baby blues”, postnatal depression is more serious and occurs in ten to fifteen percent of new mothers. It usually begins one to three months after the birth. Symptoms of postnatal depression are similar to depression in a lot of ways and include feeling low for no reason, an inability to enjoy yourself and motherhood, irritability, sleep disturbances beyond those expected, lethargy, a low appetite, anxiety, feeling worthless or hopeless, and a fear of harming the baby. Treatment options include medication, counseling psychotherapy, homoeopathy, herbal therapies, relaxation therapies, cognitive behavioural therapy, and Traditional Chinese Medicine.