Parents urged to seek help early when postnatal depression strikes

Two years ago Michelle Warren welcomed her long-awaited daughter into the world. Within weeks she was engulfed by post-natal depression.

Daily Telegraph Lifestyle Body and Soul page

Two years ago Michelle Warren eagerly welcomed her long-awaited daughter into the world. Within weeks her dreams began to disintegrate as postnatal depression engulfed her, leaving her stranded in a personal hell of irrational fears and overwhelming anxiety.

This is Postnatal Depression Awareness week and Warren is sharing her recovery story to encourage other struggling expecting or new parents to seek help early.

Gazing into her daughter’s eyes Michelle Warren could only marvel at her newborn’s perfection.

“We had been trying for three years and lost our first baby,” says Warren, 38.

“Then we got Sofia and everything went well. I felt blessed.”

When the “baby blues” hit days later, Warren was unconcerned as she had researched and was prepared.

“I knew what to expect and thought ‘that’s just a normal part of having a baby’,” she says.

But four weeks later when she was struggling with sleep deprivation, her sadness continued and her sense of dread deepened. Warren recognised she was starting to fall apart.

“I started to get upset when the sun went down and worried what night was going to bring,” she says. “If I was going to sleep or if Sofia was going to feed well ... and I kept crying all the time.”

Constantly fearful that some unknown harm would befall Sofia, she became less willing to be separated from her and less capable of doing even the most basic of tasks.

“Even putting a load in the washing machine was too hard,” she says.

“Through my journey I felt so bonded to Sofia, I didn’t want anything to happen to her. Sometimes I was so scared I couldn’t put her down. I was so completely focused on her that I had nothing else left in the tank.

“I would wake up and say ‘OK today we are going to walk around the block’ but then I couldn’t get out the door.”

Warren continued to isolate herself from friends, shutting down her Facebook account and resisting attempts to leave the house.

Her behaviour bewildered and concerned her partner, Alessandro, and her family who rallied to support her and get help.

During Postnatal Depression Week new parents who may be experiencing difficulties are urged to seek professional help.

Warren’s GP referred her to a local psychiatric counselling service and though “brilliant”, the caring and dedicated staff did not specialise in post-natal depression. She was immediately placed on medication.

As the weeks passed and Warren failed to improve, the drugs were changed and increased.

When Sofia was four months old, Warren had a complete breakdown and was admitted to the psychiatric ward of her local hospital.

“They scheduled me. I was in a full lockdown ward and on heavy duty medication,” she says.

“It was horrendous. I thought ‘that’s it, I’m gone forever and I will never have my life back again’.”

Five harrowing days later she was transferred to the St John of God, Mother and Baby Unit, the state’s only purpose-built facility for mothers with peri-natal depression and anxiety-related disorders.

There she was carefully weaned off her medication and given intensive counselling.

Seven weeks later Warren was well enough to go home.

“When you are in it you don’t believe you can get through it but you do,” she says. “I felt immensely happy to feel well and be strong and capable again.”

Warren’s illness took a heavy toll on her partner.

“He wanted to be the person who could save me but he felt really helpless and it took him some time to catch up to the fact that I was OK,” she says.

Now fully recovered, Warren is living a hectic life and is happy to be working again.

“I’m a better mum for it and I love being a mum,” she says.

She advises other parents struggling with postnatal depression to speak up at the first hint of something amiss.

“Don’t ignore any of the little signs like teariness, not eating and feeling you can’t get out of the house — it’s OK, and it does not mean you are failing, but reaching out for help is really important,” she says.

New fathers can also experience postnatal depression.

WHEN SOMETHING IS WRONG

Signs and symptoms of depression during pregnancy or postbirth differ between people but if lasting more than two weeks it is time to get help.

Common signs for women

● Feeling sad, anxious or teary;

● angry outbursts or irritability;

● changes in appetite;

● Sleep problems not related to baby’s sleep;

● Feeling guilty, inadequate, worthless or numb;

● Fear of being alone,

● Fear of the baby;

● Withdrawing socially and/or not looking after yourself;

● Feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope with daily routine;

● Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly;

● Agitation;

● Thoughts of suicide, harming yourself or your baby.

Common signs for men

● Anger;

● Withdrawal from families;

● Throwing themselves into work;

● Loss of libido;

● Engaging in risk-taking behaviours and increased use of alcohol and/or drugs.

WHERE TO GO FOR HELP

Up to one in seven new mums and one in 20 new dads experience postnatal depression in Australia and one in 10 expectant women are also affected by depression and anxiety.

During her illness, Michelle Warren reached out to the Post and Antenatal Depression Association (PANDA), which provides information, support services and operates Australia’s only dedicated national peri-natal depression and anxiety Helpline.

“We know that getting help early and the right support leads to a faster recovery,” says PANDA spokeswoman Lisa Knott.

● PANDA Helpline 1300 726 306 or go to www.panda.org.au. For new dads: www.howisdadgoing.org.au