Postnatal Depression (PND) is a recognised and treatable illness which affects approximately 10-15% of mothers and 10% of fathers.
It may come on immediately after the arrival of the baby but can also present later, or go unrecognised for weeks or months.
Many mothers feel anxious, tearful and unable to look forward to anything,sometimes irritable and despondent.
They may have a sense of inadequacy and feelings of failure and often experience physical symptoms, such as headaches and fatigue.
It is common for a mother to feel that she is unable to cope and have irrational fears, possibly feeling that they won't ever be like they were before. It is important to remember that it is the depression that makes her feel like this and that mothers do recover from PND, although it may take time.
