Post-natal depression "unrecognised"

Monday October 3rd, 2011

Too many women are suffering from unrecognised post-natal depression, according a major report published today.

As many as 35,000 women are year "suffer in silence", according to the charity 4Children.

The untreated problem leads to relationship breakdown and pressure on other siblings to provide care, the charity warned.

It says health professionals, such as GPs, can do more to diagnose the problem early and ensure timely treatment.

The findings come from a survey of some 2,000 women which sought to identify the ten per cent thought to be at risk of post-natal depression.

The researchers said about half the women with the problem had not sought professional help - and some 29 per cent did not realise they had the problem.

About one in three said they were "too scared" to tell anyone for fear of what might happen to themselves or their children.

The report calls for a national awareness campaign and a more active role for the growing number of health visitors. There should also be more training for other professionals.

Anne Longfield, of 4Children, said: "Many families are suffering the consequences of postnatal depression in silence, and even when they do seek help they all too often encounter a wall of indifference and a lack of empathy from medical professionals with an over reliance on antidepressants for treatment.

"So many women have to rely on luck to come across a sympathetic GP or health visitor who will lead them to the right course of treatment. This report calls for an end to the neglect of this destructive and prevalent illness to ensure that every mother is guaranteed the practical and emotional support she needs to avoid her unnecessary suffering and that of her family."

Elizabeth Duff, of the National Childbirth Trust, called for women to get early one to one care from midwives.

She said: "Midwives and other health professionals should also be aware of the condition, its symptoms, and how to refer families to get support. While antidepressants may help, many women benefit from counselling and other forms of support."

The Royal College of Midwives also maintained its members could play a key role.

Sue Macdonald, of the RCM, said: "The need to prepare women and their families for the possibility that they may experience postnatal depression, and developing strategies for dealing with this is really important.

"The midwife is the key professional to provide this information and support during pregnancy, and during the first month after childbirth, following which the care passes to the health visitor."

Tags: Childbirth and Pregnancy | Mental Health | NHS | UK News | Women’s Health & Gynaecology

Printer friendly page