Post-Natal Depression
Having a baby is life changing, for both men and women. No matter how ready we feel we are, nothing can prepare us for the emotional rollercoaster of becoming a parent.
The range and intensity of emotions that we feel are often unexpected. We can feel that we are floundering as we try to understand and meet the never-ending demands of this tiny person in our lives.
Feeling overwhelmed and anxious at times as we adjust is normal. Most new mums experience the 'baby blues' around 3-10 days after giving brith which is a brief period of feeling tearful and emotional. The lack of sleep and coping with all the extra demands put upon us often leaves us feeling exhausted and out of our depth.
It's important to be aware that the 'baby blues' do get better. Around 10-20% of new mums experience some form of post-natal depression or anxiety within six weeks of giving birth.
Common signs of Post-Natal Depression & Anxiety
Post-natal depression and post-natal anxiety can come on gradually or all of a sudden, and ranges from being relatively mild to very severe.
Symptoms vary from person to person but may include feeling lonely, unsupported, anxious, panicky, resentful, and not feeling a loving bond towards your baby. Many of us may try to hide our true feelings as we feel that things are not as easy or enjoyable as we had hoped. We could be struggling with feeling inadequate and trapped and that we should be feeling happy when we are This can leave us feeling guilty about our unhappiness. Loved ones and those close may not realise the extent of these feelings and how much we are struggling to cope.
You may not feel that you have post-natal depression. Perhaps you are just feeling a bit low or isolated or feeling that you should feel a certain way when you don't. If you are feeling like this, it will help if you to talk about it.
I am an accredited and registered Counsellor & Psychotherapist with the BACP with over 14 years experience of working with individuals, couples and therapeutic groups in a variety of settings.
Counselling is always at the heart of what I do, but by incorporating other treatments and techniques I can offer my own unique combination of therapies to effectively help clients to feel better on all levels.
Tina Deas
A Time For You, Counselling & Reiki Swindon
How I can help you
As well as working as a counsellor for 4 years co-facilitating a funded, local post natal depression/anxiety support group, I am a mum to two grown-up children so I know the trials and tribulations of being a parent.
Even if you feel that you do not have postnatal depression but are just feeling a bit low, or isolated, or worried that you should feel a certain way when you don't, it would be beneficial to get some early help and come along for a session or two.
By talking to me in complete confidence, I can support you to express and accept how you are feeling. I will be able to normalise the range of negative feelings that babies and children (big and small) evoke in us. I can help you to build your confidence by noticing and challenging your negative thinking that will be compromising it.
Reiki will help to calm you and to recharge some of your depleted energy from the physical aspect of having a baby and the lack of sleep and busy days. We usually feel emotionally drained constantly meeting the demands of a little one and Reiki can help with that too.
Allow yourself to ask for help
I understand that it may be challenging to get to see me when you have babies and small children and that you would need to ask somebody to help you with childcare. Sometimes acknowledging that we are struggling and asking for help is the first step we need to take in order to feeling better. You can come for as few or as many sessions as you wish and I will try to fit in with the times that you can make.
