HOW A PSYCHOLOGIST AND PSYCHIATRIST CAN HELP

Accessing treatment for antenatal or postnatal depression early, is an important step towards recovery and may involve your GP, obstetrician, a psychologist, a psychiatrist or all. If you are experiencing mild depression, supportive counselling can be very helpful, as you are given an opportunity to talk through how you are feeling and thinking with someone who can understand and listen to you in a non-judgmental way. Psychological treatments, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapy, can be very effective for the treatment of mild to moderate antenatal and postnatal depression. These treatments use a variety of techniques to help you identify and manage negative thoughts, feelings and behaviours, so that you can begin to bring your symptoms under control. If your symptoms are moderate to severe, then you may require medication to help provide you with relief from some of the symptoms and a psychiatrist has specialist experience to know what is safe for you and your baby.

ANTENATAL ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION

Up to 1 in 10 women and 1 in 20 men experience antenatal depression or anxiety. Antenatal anxiety or depression is a serious illness but there are treatments, support and services available to help you through this experience. It is important to know the signs and symptoms and seek help early. Antenatal anxiety and depression is treatable and it’s important to seek help as early as possible.

POSTNATAL ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION

When anxiety or depression begins sometime in the year after birth it is referred to as postnatal anxiety or postnatal depression. More than 1 in 7 new mums and up to 1 in 10 new dads experience postnatal depression and anxiety. Postnatal anxiety and depression can be a frightening and isolating experience as parents try to deal with their symptoms at the same time as needing to care for a new baby and sometimes other children as well. There are treatments, supports and services available to help you through this experience.

POSTNATAL PSYCHOSIS

There is another form of mental illness that can affect women after birth: postnatal psychosis, an extremely serious mental health condition that affects one to two women in every 1000 after childbirth. Postnatal psychosis can be a potentially life-threatening condition that can put both mother and baby at risk so if you suspect you or your partner are experiencing this illness, please seek help immediately.