New mothers are hiding postnatal depression because they’re afraid of being labelled a ‘bad mother’, a new study has found.
Women also say they keep quiet about their struggles to cope because they feel nurses focus more on the baby’s health than their own emotional well-being.
Staff behaving unsympathetic or unhelpful during past pregnancies also deters them from seeking help.
One of the women surveyed who felt the ‘stigma’ was a barrier to getting support said: ‘Coping was entwined with perceptions of good mothering.
‘I felt like like I was a bad mother and I couldn’t cope with it all.’
Another said: ‘There’s a huge stigma about feeling depressed, particularly postnatal.’
A survey has revealed that the stigma of having postnatal depression as well as unsympathetic or unhelpful staff deters women from seeking help (stock photo)
And mothers who have spoken up about their depression reported feeling fobbed off and sent away with a prescription for antidepressants and no further support.
Others say they were put off by having to explain their feelings to a different member of staff each time, reports the British Journal of General Practice.
The London researchers came to their findings after analysing 24 British studies on the subject.
Postnatal depression is a common problem, affecting more than one in every 10 women within a year of giving birth.
Routine check-up is too short
All new mothers are currently screened for depression around six weeks after giving birth, however, doctors’ leaders have warned the routine appointment time is often too short to allow the signs to be picked up on.
Dr Judy Shakespeare, who co-authored the study and is spokesperson on perinatal mental health for the Royal College of GPs, said: ‘We know it takes an enormous amount of courage for women to approach their doctor with concerns, so it is vital that when they do they are taken seriously, not told that what they are feeling is ‘normal’, and that they feel safe and secure enough to disclose their feelings to healthcare professionals.
‘The routine six-week postnatal check, offered to all new mothers after giving birth, is an important opportunity for GPs and new mothers to discuss issues around mental health and wellbeing – and begin to address any resulting concerns.
‘But it’s incredibly hard for GPs to explore all the physical and psychological factors affecting our patients’ health within the time constraints of the consultation as it stands.’
Postnatal depression can also affect fathers and partners, although this is less common, according to NHS Choices.
It’s important to seek help as soon as possible if you think you might be depressed, as symptoms could last months or get worse and have a significant impact on you, your baby and your family.
However, with the right support – such as self-help strategies and therapy – most women make a full recovery.