Most of us are familiar with the term 'post natal depression' but maybe you're not so in the know about just how many women it affects. New stats from The Gidget Foundation (a NFP raising awareness about depression) say around 20 percent of women suffer from perinatal anxiety and depression, which equates to 50,000 women each year.
Peri-what? The illness 'Post Natal Depression' now goes by the new name 'Perinatal Anxiety and Depression', because the illness can occur during pregnancy, not just after the birth.
You may as well toss a hand grenade into your marriage, career and the organisation of your life for the changes a baby can bring - for all the extra love you may experience as well as the challenges. You're dealing with career breaks, a shift in relationships, changes in your body, breastfeeding, and a general shake-up of your routine and everyday life.
Anxiety and depression does not discriminate. Often the bigger you are, the harder you may fall. The more used to a life of choices, control and freedom, the more acutely you feel stretched by a new baby and overwhelmed by the mixed messages and performance pressures of being the 'perfect' or 'natural' mother, the more acutely you may feel lost in the motherload.
If left untreated, this illness not only affects your wellbeing, but that of your partner and children. Early diagnosis and support is so important.
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to your symptoms. You may experience anything from an inability to sleep, to a lack of appetite or ability to enjoy things you used to. Women also experience the illness in different ways - some present a very controlled public face, suffering behind closed door; while others withdraw from family and friends and don't cope with day-to-day tasks.
Due to the overload of pressures on women to get motherhood and parenting 'right', many are reluctant to admit they are not coping which makes early diagnosis and support all the more important. The gift of understanding, non-judgement and empathy from other mums, your manager, and family can move mountains to ease that load.
How can every woman help? By breaking the silence of motherhood. Offer your friends, family members and colleagues who are heading into motherhood, and those who are already a mum, every opportunity to speak honestly and openly about the realities of the huge responsibility and life change that is motherhood.
Not everyone gets an 'easy' baby, and most women will hit bumps along their baby's development as motherhood shapes and crafts in all of us a new identity.
