I have suffered from depression in the past and now that I
am pregnant I feel awful. Could the pregnancy have brought
on a bout of depression?
Pregnancy is a time of huge change and upheaval. You are
reassessing your role in life and coming to terms with a
new way of living. Change can be difficult at the best of
times, and it is not easy to learn to view yourself and
your life in a completely new way. For many women this leads
to emotions which are overwhelming. This time of life which
many people assume will be joyous, can in reality be filled
with fear and anxiety. This seems to be especially true
for women who have a previous history of depression. It
is therefore vital to try and be aware of your state of
mind and to seek help if you are feeling overwhelmed. You
do not have to face this on your own, and sometimes the
smallest amount of help is all that is required to put you
back on your feet. A sympathetic and non- judgemental ear
can be enormously helpful, and a trained professional is
the best person to guide you back to a balanced state of
mind. Many women feel embarrassed and ashamed of their perceived
weakness. But in fact it takes great strength to face up
to what is happening, and you will feel proud of yourself
for handling the situation when things improve.
The problem with depression is that it can feel like a
hole from which there is no escape. Still you need to know
that thoughts in which you are very hard on yourself (eg
‘ I am so pathetic’) especially coupled with
extreme fatigue, and lack of any pleasure in your life,
are signs that you need to seek help. Feeling down for large
portions of the day, struggling to sleep and extreme weight
swings, are also signs that all is not well.
Speak to your doctor or health care worker urgently. Also
go to www.pndsa.org.za
for ideas about where to get help.
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