If you are wondering whether you might have PND, does that mean that you probably do?

[DitaVonCheese]

??

Not necessarily. Utter utter exhaustion, combined with flailing hormones and, quite possibly, anaemia, can look very similar. If you have suspicions it's best to get assessed by a professional. At the very least, a GP should do a set of blood-tests to rule out a non-psychological problem. They should also have a standard questionnaire which is a quick assessment of your mental health.

PND is nothing to be ashamed of. At least one in ten of us have or have had it. It's OK to need help. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Thanks. I think I'm okay for sleep - DS seems to be a much better sleeper than DD ever was (I vividly remember her waking every 45 minutes at this age). Hormones, maybe, ditto anaemia, but during both pregnancies I've been convinced I was anaemic and demanded to be tested and never was so bit embarrassed to suggest it now.

I've done the summary Edinburgh test online and coming up in the talk it through wiht a health professional bracket so will try to mention it to HV at baby clinic on Thursday.

Part of me thinks I'm just hoping it's PND so I have an excuse for being so crap, then another part of me wonders if that's PND talking

"Part of me thinks I'm just hoping it's PND so I have an excuse for being so crap, then another part of me wonders if that's PND talking "

I so know what you mean! But, at the same time, it's OK to be crap sometimes. You're doing a difficult job that makes huge demands of you.

I've just been skimming through a marvellously misogynistic medieval book and came across a section on the supreme importance of sanctifying the Sabbath with resting. It states categorically that a woman from the moment she goes into labour until 7 days after giving birth should be given whatever she wants, even if this means breaking the Sabbath rules. And this pampering continues for another month.

I am glad we live in our enlightened modern times, but I think we've gone wrong with our post-natal expectations.

Hi OP. No I don't, I think it is more likely that you wouldn't know tbh. I know what you mean though, I was 'diagnosed' with it by my hv. I knew I was just utterly tired and exhausted but I fit the scores on the test. A few days of sleep and I felt fine again and stopped taking the bloody ADs after a week

It's hard isn't it, because being a mum can just be depressing anyway. I was relieved when I thought I had it, even though I didn't really think it was!

Not necessarily, the symptoms of extreme sleep deprivation aka having a baby! are identical to many of the physical (and mental) symptoms of depression and it can also be a bit chicken and egg iyswim.

The thing that was most marked for me in retrospect was the physical symptoms which for me were not being able to get back to sleep even when the baby was sleeping and a complete lack of interest in food. What imnot said is really true (as ever ). I had no clue I had PND and in fact scored fine on the depression test when I saw the GP, as instead of feeling low (like I assumed I would feel if I was depressed) I actually had a complete absence of feeling. It took my very astute hv to refer me!

Good luck OP, it's definitely, definitely worth speaking to a sympathetic HCP and getting bloods. I wish I'd got help sooner! x