Postnatal Depression - Health Service Executive

Postnatal DepressionHelping yourself» Don’t:What›is it?Try to be superwoman.You may need to scale back otheractivities to focus on you and your baby.› Blame yourself or your partner.Life is tough for both of you at this time.› Move house while you are pregnant or forsome months after your baby is born(if you can avoid it).» CounsellingProfessional counselling can help. You mayneed to ‘off load’ to someone understandingin an uncritical environment. Speak to yourfamily doctor or GP about this.Around 25% of women with postnataldepression seek psychiatric treatment. Thismay be part of your recovery plan but youwill also need support and practical helpfrom your partner, family and friends.»Tell your doctor if you are breastfeedingso they can prescribe medication that issuitable for breastfeeding mothers.If you feel that you are getting better withthe help of medication, talk to your doctorbefore you change the dose or frequencyof medication, as your symptoms mayreturn. You may need to continue taking themedication for up to six months after thedepression has lifted.Remember, postnatal depressionis an illness and you need togive yourself time to recover.HospitalisationYour doctor may feel that you need moreintensive help or rest to recover. Veryoccasionally, you may need a short stay inhospital.» MedicationDrug treatment for postnatal depressionusually involves anti-depressant medication.If you use them correctly, anti-depressantmedications are not addictive. It can take upto two or more weeks for you to feel that themedication is working.