Postnatal Depression & Anxiety

Conditions

What is postnatal depression?

Postnatal depression (PND), sometimes called postpartum depression, is a common difficulty that occurs during pregnancy or following the birth of a child. Postnatal depression can affect both men and women. The symptoms are the same as depression, but often new mothers (and fathers) will experience negative thoughts about their ability to parent their newborn, or their perception of what they should/shouldn’t be doing. It can also mean that individuals experiencing postnatal depression may feel a lack of ‘connection’ to their baby, and can happen regardless of whether someone has experienced depression before.

What is postnatal anxiety?

Postnatal anxiety, also called postpartum anxiety, is persistent and excessive worry, nervousness or fear that develops after having a baby. It’s just as common as postnatal depression, affecting around 1 in 5 new mums, and can occur on its own or alongside postnatal depression.

Where postnatal depression tends to centre on low mood and sadness, postnatal anxiety is usually driven by constant worry, a sense of dread, or feeling unable to switch off, often focused on the baby’s health, safety or wellbeing. Some parents also experience physical symptoms similar to a panic attack, or intrusive, repetitive worrying thoughts.

Because postnatal depression and postnatal anxiety can look quite different day to day, it’s worth understanding both so you can recognise what you (or someone you love) might be experiencing.

When to seek treatment: What are the symptoms of Postnatal & Postpartum depression and anxiety?

You should consider treatment for your postpartum depression and/or when:

A sense of worthlessness and inadequacy with a loss of confidence.

You think you lack an emotional connection to your baby.

You experience sleeping difficulties in addition to those you might normally experience as a new parent.

You experience many negative thoughts about your ability to parent your baby.

You often feel low, tearful, tired, and is you cannot cope with the demands of parenting.

You feel persistent, excessive worry – often about the baby's health, safety or development

Feeling constantly on edge, or unable to relax even when the baby is settled

A racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness or other panic-like physical symptoms

Trouble sleeping because of racing thoughts, separate from normal newborn tiredness

Repetitive or intrusive worrying thoughts that are hard to shake off

Avoiding situations, or checking on your baby excessively, to try to feel more in control

Restlessness, irritability, or feeling like something bad is about to happen

What postnatal treatment does Onebright offer?

We offer Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for post-natal depression, as there is a good evidence base to suggest this is one of the most effective treatments available.

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Benefits of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for postnatal depression

CBT is an evidence based, goal-oriented and collaborative psychological therapy approach that focuses on understanding the past and present connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours (termed the ‘formulation’). It also offers powerful tools, strategies, and techniques to identify, challenge and reframe unhelpful thought patterns and associated feelings and behaviours, helping to significantly improve mental health and quality of life.

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Get started by answering some simple questions below or call 020 8175 4908

Begin your journey

Onebright's client liaison team are available Monday to Friday between 9am-5pm (excluding bank holidays).
You must be aged 18 years or above to access our therapy services.

Postpartum FAQs

- Psychological factors such as a history of depression or anxiety, particularly during pregnancy, increase the likelihood of developing postnatal depression.
- A traumatic or frightening birth can leave a lasting emotional impact that contributes to low mood afterwards.
- Pressure to feel instantly happy or 'bond' immediately with a new baby can add to feelings of guilt or inadequacy when reality feels different.
- The sharp drop in hormone levels after childbirth is thought to play a role, though it's rarely the only cause.
- Broken sleep and physical exhaustion from caring for a newborn can significantly affect mood and coping.
- Feeling isolated, or without enough practical or emotional support from a partner, family or friends, can make things harder to cope with.
- Relationship difficulties, or the pressure a new baby can put on a partnership, are common contributing factors.
- Financial pressure or an unstable living situation can add significantly to stress at an already demanding time.

The 'baby blues' are very common in the first week or two after birth, and usually involve feeling tearful, anxious or low for a few days before passing on their own. Postnatal depression is more persistent, tends to last longer than two weeks, and can affect your ability to function day to day. If your low mood isn't lifting, or it's getting worse rather than better, it's worth speaking to a professional.

Both are commonly treated with talking therapy, such as CBT, which helps you manage negative or anxious thoughts and build coping strategies. Depending on how severe your symptoms are, this might be combined with medication prescribed by a GP, alongside practical and peer support.

Yes. While they're most commonly discussed in relation to mothers, postnatal depression and postnatal anxiety can also affect fathers and partners, particularly in the months following a baby's birth. The symptoms and treatment approach are broadly similar.