Private postnatal depression clinic in London, same-day women's health.

Baby blues or something more

• Baby blues — tearfulness, irritability and mood swings peaking around days three to five, affecting most women, and resolving within about two weeks without treatment.
• Postnatal depression — persisting beyond two weeks, or beginning any time in the first year. Low mood, loss of pleasure, exhaustion beyond ordinary tiredness, poor concentration, guilt, feeling disconnected from the baby, appetite and sleep changes, and hopelessness.
• Postnatal anxiety — often more prominent than low mood. Constant worry, checking the baby repeatedly, intrusive thoughts, panic and inability to rest even when the baby sleeps.
• Birth trauma and PTSD — flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance of anything reminding you of the birth. Recognised, and treatable.

It affects fathers and partners too

Around one in ten fathers experiences depression in the first year, and rates are higher where the mother is also affected. It more often presents as irritability, anger, withdrawal, working excessively or drinking rather than sadness. Partners are rarely asked, and rarely volunteer it. If this is you, you can be seen and treated too.

Treatment

• Talking therapy — CBT or interpersonal therapy — is first line for mild to moderate symptoms and is effective.
• Antidepressants for moderate to severe symptoms. Several are compatible with breastfeeding, passing into milk in very small amounts. You should not have to choose between treatment and feeding, and anyone presenting it that way is not up to date.
• Continue for at least six months after recovery to prevent relapse.
• Specialist perinatal mental health services exist for more severe illness, including mother and baby units where admission is needed — you would not be separated from your baby.
• Treating sleep deprivation, pain, thyroid dysfunction and anaemia matters — all are common after birth and all mimic or worsen depression.

What helps alongside