Every year Tresillian’s expert team of Nurses, Psychiatrists, Psychologist and Social Workers helps mothers (and sometimes, fathers) who have postnatal depression. In fact, around 15% of Australian mothers suffer from postnatal depression.

Postnatal depression can happen to any woman, each year after the baby is born. Many mothers simply don’t live up to their own expectations and are devastated by it.

The symptoms of postnatal depression vary from person to person.

Women have described themselves as feeling:

• Powerless
• Stuck
• Out of control
• Irrational
• On an emotional rollercoaster
• Exhausted physically and emotionally
• Very unhappy
• Confused and stressed out
• Anxious

Often it’s difficult to tell if a woman has postnatal depression as in many cases they present as if they’re coping well, but inside they’re shattered.

If you feel you have postnatal depression or you know of someone you think may have postnatal depression, seek help immediately by contacting your Child & Family Health Nurse, your General Practitioner or the Tresillian 24-Hour Parents Help Line on (02) 9787 0855 or Freecall 1800 637 357 (outside Sydney metropolitan area).

We also have a pamphlet available to download for free, entitled Some Postnatal Feelings (500k pdf).

Women recover from postnatal depression if they seek assistance and additional support. Recovery usually involves counselling, some women also require prescribed medication, having regular contact with others going through similar experiences with their babies, and improving support networks.

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