Post Natal Depression - more tests - hurrah yes please

[Notsoyummymummy1]

They're on about increasing the number of tests for PND for the first year after having a baby. About bloody time. They should think about how they ask too. All I got asked was "are you having feelings of depression - yes or no?" by the doctor after six weeks, in front of my husband and then he looked relieved and ticked the box when I said no and moved quickly on to the next question. I can't think of anyone who would have felt able to confess they were feeling desperate in that situation and I was never asked again after that - although I started getting really low after the third month of motherhood but felt no-one was interested.

[FrimFrimMcWeasel]

I agree that identifying PND (and ante-natal depression) and providing appropriate support and treatment would be great - it's the money though isn't it.

If all they are going to do is extend a bored person asking you questions on a checklist then it won't do much good probably.

[purrpurr]

More focus would be good. The people asking the questions do need to give a shit, though. Each time I see a midwife she asks 'any symptoms of depression or anxiety?' in a yes-or-no kind of way, like described by yummymummy above. Unfortunately recently my anxiety has been off the charts. I daren't say anything (ridiculous fear of baby being born then grabbed by social services) plus I'm not going to initiate a dialogue on my mental health with someone who refuses to even discuss cough medicine with me as they're 'not qualified'...

[yummymummy345]

I think there is much support out there but people (mums ) need to open up more and talk about it. I am fairly open with my friends and in turn friends have come to me to discuss/query pnd symptoms etc. If we didn't see it as something shameful, more people would be open and so be offered the support which is out there. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy. Together with the generation above who perhaps think we should just 'get on with it' like they did?

[Pamsie]

I agree with yummymummy. I suffered from PND and, thankfully, had a brilliant HV and GP who helped me through it. However, it still seems such a taboo subject. I've tried to talk about it with other mums that I know and you could tell how uncomfortable some of them were to talk about PND and depression in general. Personally, I think education or just getting the word out there would go a long way towards getting the available support to those who need it.