I got postnatal depression from the moment my son was born. Prior to this I was a happy, carefree person. I eventually got diagnosed and found anti depressants helped but unlike all the information I had read about how you will recover with the right support. I remain with clinical depression 7 years later.
My feelings towards my son are different now. He is my world and I adore him. I get a lot of help with him and don't have any reason to be unhappy. However I am in a state of constant depression which my GP explained is likely to be caused by an imbalance of chemicals in my brain after childbirth.
Am I being unreasonable to say that I think it would be good to have more information on the true effects of postnatal depression. That while most people recover and it's important to get support. Some people will remain with depression many years later but symptoms can be improved?
Or would this effect the number of women seeking treatment and support?
I'm just interested in opinions really as I know I never knew postnatal depression could turn into long term depression and effect you long term. I also believed from what I had read that once you get into treatment the illness is short lived.