Some information about ante-natal and post natal depression
Ante-natal depression
Brief therapy to reduce and control depression prior to labour is important, especially for those that were depressed before becoming pregnant (see footnote). Females who have been taking anti-depressant medication, and due to pregnancy can no longer take them, may then develop further bouts of depression. By providing better coping skills and mechanisms, allows the female to be more in control of the situation and life in general. Therapy at this stage significantly reduces the chances of post natal or post partum depression. This is why the focus on ante natal depression is so important.Post natal depression
Post natal depression occurs in 10 - 15% of women within a year of giving birth and have a one in five increase of being depressed after the next birth.Many females usually within 4 days of giving birth will feel ‘down’ and maybe tearful for a few days which is ‘normal’, and termed ‘The baby blue’s’.
However, some women continue to be unhappy, emotional, anxious about her baby, feelings of the inability to cope, feeling inadequate and may even feel guilty, perceiving herself to be a poor mother. Insomnia or waking during the night if there is no need, causes tiredness and lethargy through the daytime.
Negative and poorly perceived thoughts create an increased depressive period that continues, for months and sometimes even for a year or more.
Brief clinical hypnotherapy via a cognitive approach allows the depressed female to think and feel differently, looking forward to her joys of family life and living.
