How to cope with postnatal depression

Being depressed is not easy, it is distressing and you may have mixed feelings. It must be remembered that it is an illness and that it is in no way, shape or form your fault that you are suffering it. You are not hopeless and weak and 1 in 6 mothers are in the same boat as you. You will get better.

Living with someone who is depressed is not easy either. You may find it frustrating and increasingly difficult to live with somebody with PND. Hang in there as it WILL get better. However, there are some simple ground rules to help you cope with her:

She may or will need:

love and understanding
Encouragement to seek help.
You to take the inititalstep in seeking help.
support, however hard things seem to get.
reassurance that she is not going mad, reinforce that it is an illness that will get better and that you are there for her.
help for both of you - maybe a babysitter to enable you some quality time alone.

She won't need

You or anybody else telling her to pull herself together. She is trying her best and already feels bad, this will only make her worse.
To be encouraged to drink excessive alcohol or be supplied with it. This will not make the depression lift it will make it worse.
You toleave her even if she is proving impossible or difficult to live with. Take time out, go to a different room until you are more relaxed. Leaving her would make her more vulnerable to alcoholism or suicide.
To be left alone with the baby for long periods. This may increase symptoms. Try to encourage her to invite friends over whilst you are at work.

The following is advice for anyone suffering with PND:

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