'Post Natal Depression' is an umbrella term used to describe a range of symptoms which is why it is particularly important to describe your symptoms carefully when visiting your doctor. Symptoms typically fall into the following categories:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Obsessive Compulsive Behaviour/Thoughts
• Post Natal Stress Disorder

There are varying degrees of Post Natal Depression ranging from mild to severe. Roughly 80% of mothers experience the 'baby blues' which normally resolve themselves within a few weeks and are characterised by weepiness, sleeping difficulties and mood swings. It is estimated that up to 50% of mothers experience some form of mild Post Natal Depression with between 10-20% experiencing the illness in its more severe form. 1-2% of mothers will develop Post Natal Psychosis which is different to Post Natal Depression and the most severe form of Post Natal Illness.

Although thoughts of self-harm or of harming the baby are common in Post Natal Depression it is important to remember that typically mothers do NOT harm their babies during Post Natal Depression, even though they may fear they will, and that suicide is very rare.

The causes of Post Natal Depression are not entirely clear though there are identified risk factors which, when combined, may contribute to the development of Post Natal Depression:

• Moving House
• Difficulties Conceiving
• Loss of Mother as a child
• Past Miscarriage or loss of child
• Leaving career / downsizing career (particularly with first child)
• Loss of status associated with career change
• Hormonal Change
• Perfectionist tendencies
• Past life trauma associated with parenthood, childhood, neglect
• Low Self Esteem
• Abusive or neglected childhood
• Bereavement
• Change of identity, e.g. career woman to mother
• Unresolved emotional Issues with mother
• Social Isolation (particularly for first time mums who have yet to make friends with other mothers and whose existing friends may not yet have children)
• Lack of Support from partner
• Unresolved emotional issues with partner
• Past history of Depression/Anxiety Disorder

Post Natal Depression can occur with any baby - a woman may be fine with the first but then develop it with her second baby, or have Post Natal Depression with number one but not with subsequent babies

Symptoms of Post Natal Depression can develop during pregnancy

The risk of Post Natal Depression recurring with a subseqent baby is higher if you have previously had the illness with recurrence rates put at around 50-60%

Post Natal Depression cannot be prevented as such though a woman who has previously had the illness will be monitored closely during any subsequent pregnancy and may choose to take medication immediately following delivery, or at the very earliest sign of the illness developing. Early treatment will lead to a faster, smoother recovery

Post Natal Depression can happen to anyone regardless of status, wealth, age, IQ, race, etc.

Between 70,000 and 100,000 women develop Post Natal Depression in the UK every year.