THE HIDDEN TRUTH

THE HIDDEN TRUTH - ENDING THE SILENCE ON POST-NATAL DEPRESSION

Often heralded as ‘the silent epidemic’ due to the reluctance of sufferers to talk openly about their experiences, post-natal depression – or post-natal illness as it is now known – is reported to affect approximately one in ten women. Here, Caroline Clutterbuck speaks to Elizabeth, a 35-year-old mother of two who has had PNI since the birth of her first son almost five years ago.

As I look at Elizabeth, relaxing in the kitchen of her Devon cottage while her children play in the room next door, it is hard to imagine that this woman has been living with such a debilitating illness for so long. She appears calm and in control and, at least on the surface, perfectly happy - not at all as I had pictured she would be.

“It’s strange,” she begins. “I never considered myself to be a depressive person and so although I felt something was wrong, I put it down to exhaustion. I was too ashamed to admit to myself that I could have post-natal illness and it was nearly a year before I finally plucked up the courage to go and see a doctor.”

Post-natal illness is usually noticed in the first four to six weeks following the baby’s birth, although in some cases it can take longer to emerge. While studies into its cause haven’t shown any clear results, it has been thought that emotional or stressful events around the birth make PNI more likely.

“Nothing prepares you for having a baby,” Elizabeth continues ruefully “and it’s not all the cooing and sweet smells that you expect. I had a traumatic delivery and had to be re-admitted into hospital as Joe had feeding problems. I remember feeling so guilty that I couldn’t bond with my son and didn’t want him with me – hardly the maternal feelings I was expecting. I used to cry all the time and had pains in my chest when I thought about leaving the house. I couldn’t even face my friends.”

Although it affects different women in different ways, symptoms like Elizabeth describes are very common in cases of this distressing condition. Women who have been prepared to talk to their doctors have also expressed a general feeling of tiredness and loss of appetite, a lack of motivation or concentration and a sense of feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope. Between 70,000 to 100,000 women in the UK are currently undergoing some form of treatment for PNI, yet this figure is thought to be grossly distorted as according to a recent study, only one in four women actually seeks help.

“I was prescribed some anti-depressants and although I was reluctant to take them, I found them a great help. I still find it hard to admit to people that I have had post-natal illness as it is regarded by some members of society as something to be ashamed of, but I can honestly say the tablets have done me a lot of good.”

Support from specialist organisations, such as the Association for Post-Natal Illness, or from friends and partners can be vital in helping sufferers to overcome the illness. As I ask Elizabeth about her support network, she smiles and shakes her head.

“My husband has been absolutely fantastic throughout and has been very patient and understanding. I haven’t been easy to live with and what with two children under five and a full time job, he’s had a lot to put up with. Luckily my parents live close-by and once I’d finally told them they’ve been great, helping out and taking the children so that Tom and I can have time to ourselves. People forget that even though you have had children, you’re still an individual. You don’t lose that simply because you now have another label.

“It’s not always easy talking to people you’re close to about your feelings as you don’t want them to view you differently or worry about you. When, after the birth of my second son, I discovered I had it again I also underwent a series of counselling sessions and just being able to talk to a relative stranger about how I was feeling was a big weight off my mind. Recognising I had a problem and accepting I needed to do something about it was an enormous step for me but now I feel I have come out the other side and can start getting back to normal again – whatever that is with two rowdy, energetic boys to look after!”

For more information on PNI, visit www.apni.org.

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