As many as one in ten women and possibly more may suffer from this condition. It may start within a month of the birth, or much later, it may last months or years, and it may or, occasionally, may not get better on its own. Doctors and health visitors are aware of it and know what help there is available.

At the time when you want to feel happy and up-beat, you feel ill, have no energy, can't sleep even when you have the chance, lose your appetite, and feel irritable for no good reason. You may think you can't cope with motherhood, and suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. You find you have good days and bad days, which is confusing. On the other hand any new mother might be subject to some of these feelings without having depression.

There are things which make someone more likely to become depressed, for example previous depressions, loss of mother in childhood, lack of support from the father, a sick or difficult baby, but remember that it is treatable, and even without treatment usually gets better.

Therapy and counselling can be very helpful, as can talking to other depressed mothers in a group. Medication which is non addictive, does not affect breastfeeding, and has minimal side effects is a good idea too. Your doctor or health visitor are there to help.

For further information, visit Post Natal Depression - Royal College of Psychiatry