PND - Thousands of mums are suffering in silence
A report from 4Children reveals that as many as 35,000 women are suffering in silence each year with post natal depression. The figures show that half of women do not seek any professional treatment and those that do are not being treated quickly or effectively enough.
It seems that there is a lack of awareness of the symptoms of post natal depression as well as a stigma which means many women are just too scared or too ashamed to seek help. PND can have devastating effects on families.
4 Children are calling on healthcare professionals to do more to diagnose post natal depressions and to ensure mums receive appropriate and timely treatment.
Mums are suffering in silence. The report revealed a worrying culture of fear and lack of awareness amongst both new mums and their partners. A third of women surveyed did not realise they were suffering from PND, 60% did not think their symptoms were serious enough to warrant treatment and - even more worrying - 33% said they were too scared to tell anyone how they were feeling because they were afraid of what might happen to themselves or their child.
Talking therapies through counselling are recommended for postnatal depression but the report revealed that in the majority of cases when PND was diagnosed, women were offered anti-depressants instead.
Anne Longfield OBE, Chief Executive of 4Children said:
“Postnatal depression is a problem that with the right help, early on, can be treated successfully avoiding long-term impact on the rest of the family. However, 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.
The best ways to treat maternal depression are set out clearly in the NICE guidelines, but all too often there is a shocking lack of awareness. 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.”