The reality of postnatal depression

Soon after her second child arrived, Rosalind*, a 36-year-old marketing manager, suffered severe postnatal depression. She shares her story.
When my daughter was born, I experienced the usual baby blues but it was nothing serious. It was gone in a week. However, when my son came two years later, the depression I felt was crippling, to say the least.

I would cry uncontrollably and detached myself from my family and friends. I hated everything and everyone and for three months, I was in a horrible mood.
Throwing things about had become routine for me until one day, a flying plastic plate bounced off the wall onto my son, who was lying on his rocker. He wasn’t hurt but began to cry from the shock. It was then that I realised I needed help. 

Counselling had cleared the mystery of my depression. It had been a difficult second pregnancy, my husband was retrenched and our finances were a concern. I was taught how to tap on my network of family and community support and gradually began to cope. Most importantly, I learnt how to ask for help when I needed it. 

It took about six months (with medication) for me to finally overcome my depression, but it could have been easily prevented had I not delayed getting help. It had not just affected me, but my family, friends and colleagues, who rightly thought I was a monster.
 
*Name changed to protect privacy

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Ken Ung outlines the symptoms of baby blues and postnatal depression and gives pointers on managing the illness.  BABY BLUES Symptoms • Feeling irritable and/or frustrated and extra “sensitive”  • Crying bouts or feeling tearful • Feeling moody and experiencing mood swings • Fears and worries about the baby, such as being a “bad mother”, feeling guilt because baby is crying, etc   What to do Family members can help by being understanding and tolerant of the mum’s “difficult” behaviour, as well as give practical support. They should try to indulge her and keep her comfortable. This is a transient phase which should go away soon, mostly within days to a couple of weeks. If it drags on beyond two to three weeks, get the mum get checked for PND. Be alert if the mum expresses thoughts of suicide or self-harm, or of hurting the baby, which warrants immediate professional help.   POSTNATAL DEPRESSION Symptoms • Baby blue symptoms beyond two weeks • A lack of energy, sleeplessness and an incapacity to function • Helplessness, heightened anxiety and having suicidal or homicidal thoughts • No interest in baby, other children, family and things that used to give pleasure • A marked slowing of thinking, concentrating, movement and any odd experiences, such as hearing voices, etc What to do Family members need to monitor the depression symptoms and give feedback to the doctor about the mum’s progress and condition. Sometimes, mums may deny or downplay their depression. Objective feedback will help the doctor prescribe the best treatment. If medication is required, it is important to ensure that the mother takes it as directed, otherwise the desired effect may not be achieved. Resources on this condition. Books • Postpartum Depression for Dummies, by Shoshana S Bennett, $35.36, at Books Kinokuniya • Down Came The Rain, by Brooke Shields, $26.20, at Borders  Websites •Mind.org - Online PDF booklet •Mumcentre - Resource on PND  •Depnet - Local website on depression  Helplines • Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019 (Mon – Fri, 9am - 6pm) • Institute of Mental Health: 6389-2222 (24 hours) • KKH-Ask-A-Nurse-Service: 1900-556-8773 (8am to midnight daily) for advice. It costs 80 cents a minute. • KKH Mental Wellness Service (www.kkh.com.sg): 6294-4050 for an appointment. • KKH Perinatal Depression & Anxiety Support Group (for KKH patients): 6394-3739 to inquire. • Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221-4444 (24 hours)

If you have any comments or practical suggestions, write to us at editor@family.sg

- Mother & Baby
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