Treatment of Post-natal depression

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The sooner you see your GP, midwife or health visitor about the problem, the sooner the right treatment can be started. However, you and your family must remember that it can take a long time to fully recover from PND.

Support:

The most important step in treating postnatal depression is recognising the problem. PND doesnâ€™t always need to be treated with medication, and support and understanding from family and friends can play a big part. However, to benefit from this, it is important to talk about how you feel, rather than bottling it up. This can cause tension, especially with your partner, who may feel as though they are being shut out otherwise.

Support and advice from social workers or councillors can also be very helpful; ask your health visitor about what is available in your area. Going to a self-help group can also help. They can be a good source of advice about how to cope and it may be reassuring to meet other women who feel the same as you.

Drug treatment:

Drugs can be used to treat postnatal depression and anxiety. Most women are prescribed anti-depressants or tranquillisers. These drugs work by balancing the chemicals in the brain that alter our mood. A course of antidepressant medication usually lasts from four to six months. If symptoms start to get better, the dose may be reduced. Antidepressants take two to four weeks to start working, so it is important to keep taking them even if you donâ€™t notice an improvement straight away.

The type of drug you are prescribed depends on whether you are breastfeeding. Tranquillisers are recommended for short-term use only. Lithium (a mood-balancing drug) may be used to treat severe PND, but it is not suitable for use while breastfeeding.

In women who have a history of PND, GPs sometimes prescribe the hormone, progesterone, as a way of preventing depression. This is given by injection immediately after birth in gradually smaller amounts. You then need to use progesterone pessaries until your periods start again. This is a fairly new treatment, but early results show that it can be helpful. Your GP will be able to give you more information.

Psychological (talking) treatments:

Talking therapies can be helpful in treating PND. Treatment is similar to counselling, usually with six sections of 30-40 minutes. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is another form of talking therapy. It is used to treat many different types of depression. Specialist mental health treatment:In your depression isnâ€™t responding to other treatment, your GP may refer you for specialist mental health care. In severe cases, hospital admission may be necessary.