Sunday, November 6, 2011

IT'S TIME TO TALK

POSTNATAL DEPRESSION



CLICK BELOW TO HEAR MY INTERVIEW



POST NATAL DEPRESSION EFFECTS BETWEEN 10-20% OF AUSTRALIAN MOTHERS!
I HAPPEN TO BE ONE OF THEM.
SOMETHING HAVEN'T SHARE WITH MOST OF MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
THAT IS WHY I WANT TO SPEAK OUT ABOUT IT.
I LOST A WONDERFUL FRIEND NATALIE THIS YEAR TO DEPRESSION.
LEAVING BEHIND A LITTLE BOY AND HER HUSBAND.
I NEVER SHARED MY EXPERIENCES WITH HER AND I ALWAYS WISHED I HAD OF TAKEN THE CHANCE AND OPENED MY HEART UP.


PLEASE KNOW, YOU DON'T HAVE TO FEEL THIS WAY!


IT'S TIME TO TALK AND THIS WEEK WELL CHAT WITH PHEBE WHO IS HOLDING A SPECIAL POST NATAL DEPRESSION AWARENESS EVENT.


If symptoms of postnatal depression are left untreated, it can have a big impact on the lives of people with the illness, their families, friends and the baby. Untreated depression can lead to:
  • marriage problems
  • family problems
  • financial problems
  • difficulties becoming and staying employed
  • drug and alcohol use
  • anger management problems
  • difficulties bonding with children
  • suicide.







RESOURCES:
THE GIDGET FOUNDATION: www.gidgetfoundation.com.au
BEYOND BLUE: www.beyondblue.org
www.panda.org.au
www.blackdoginstitute.org.au
AND YOUR DOCTOR






Recognizing and Treatment

Signs and Symptoms
PND has the same signs and symptoms as depression experienced by men and women who have not just become mothers. Find out about the general symptoms of depression.

Below is a simple survey which has been developed to check for PND - it's quick, easy and confidential.


To complete this set of questions, mothers should circle the number next to the response which comes closest to how they have felt IN THE PAST 7 DAYS.

1. I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things.

  • 0 As much as I always could
  • 1  Not quite so much now
  • 2  Definitely not so much now
  • 3 Not at all
2. I have looked forward with enjoyment to things.

  • 0 As much as I ever did
  • 1 Rather less than I used to
  • 2 Definitely less than I used to
  • 3 Hardly at all
3. I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong.

  • 3 Yes, most of the time
  • 2 Yes, some of the time
  • 1 Not very often
  • 0 No, never
4. I have been anxious or worried for no good reason.

  • 0 No, not at all
  • 1 Hardly ever
  • 2 Yes, sometimes
  • 3 Yes, very often
5. I have felt scared or panicky for no very good reason.
  • 3 Yes, quite a lot
  • 2 Yes, sometimes
  • 1 No, not much
  • 0 No, not at all
6. Things have been getting on top of me.
  • 3 Yes, most of the time I haven't been able to cope at all
  • 2 Yes, sometimes I haven't been coping as well as usual
  • 1 No, most of the time I have coped quite well
  • 0 No, I have been coping as well as ever
7. I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleeping.
  • 3 Yes, most of the time
  • 2 Yes, sometimes
  • 1 Not very often
  • 0 No, not at all
8. I have felt sad or miserable.
  • 3 Yes, most of the time
  • 2 Yes, quite often
  • 1 Not very often
  • 0 No, not at all
9. I have been so unhappy that I have been crying.
  • 3 Yes, most of the time
  • 2 Yes, quite often
  • 1 Only occasionally
  • 0 No, never
10. The thought of harming myself has occurred to me.
  • 3 Yes, quite often
  • 2 Sometimes
  • 1 Hardly ever
  • 0 Never
The total score is calculated by adding together the numbers you circled for each of the 10 items. The higher the score, the more likely it is that the person completing the questionnaire is distressed and may be depressed.
Scores provide only a rough guide as to whether a woman has postnatal depression. 


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