Symptoms of postnatal depression

Not all symptoms have to be present to be diagnosed with PND. You may display just one of the symptoms or a combination of them. It doesn't even have to be your first baby as you can suffer PND after any birth even if you have or haven't suffered PND in the past. The symptoms are much the same as those exhibited in a person suffering ordinary depression. Here are some of the symptoms that may be experienced if you are suffering with PND:

loss of appetite but at the same time you may have feelings of hunger but find yourself unable to eat. It is important to eat properly to give yourself the necessary energy to care for a baby, it is especially important if you are breast feeding.
Feeling "low", "down", "miserable", "depressed" and Ttearful most of the time and for no apparent reason. This feeling is present most of the time and you may find that it is worse at certain times of the day.
sleep problems - This may be that you are finding it difficult to get to sleep or you are waking regularly, waking early and not being able to drop back off or having vivid nightmares.
lethargic- having no energy for example sometimes not wanting to get up and get dressed or do anything.
despondent - feeling as if there is no hope, that life is a long black gloomy tunnel not worth traveling down and that nothing in it is any good.
unable to enjoy yourself - This will be quite prominent as you have been preparing for the baby for months and now that the baby has arrived you find that you are not enjoying them as much as you were expecting.
guilt- feeling guilty for not loving your baby as much as you thought, not enjoying the baby, not coping with the baby and motherhood and even for shouting at the crying baby.
Feelings of being "worthless" and "hopeless".
Indifference or hostility to a loved one.
anxiety occurs frequently. It can take many forms from feeling tense and always "on edge" to panic attacks. You may be anxious about things that wouldn't normally bother you such as being alone in the house or going shopping. It is normal for all mothers with a new baby to face read more