Symptoms usually occur a couple of months after birth
Tens of thousands of new mothers are suffering in silence with post natal depression for the fear that they may have their child taken away, according to a new report.
The study, conducted by charity 4Children, was carried out to look at how postnatal depression is perceived and treated in the UK. It found that around three in ten new mothers are affected.
The charity surveyed 2,000 mothers and found that 49 per cent who had suffered did not seek professional help, with first-time mothers less likely than those with several children to do so.
Anne Longfield, chief executive of 4Children, says: "Postnatal depression is a problem that, with the right help early on, can be treated successfully, avoiding long-term impact on the rest of the family.
"However, many families are suffering the consequences of postnatal depression in silence, and even when they do seek help they all too often encounter a wall of indifference and a lack of empathy from medical professionals with an over-reliance on antidepressants for treatment."
A third of respondents said that they were too scared to tell anyone about their depression because of fear over what might happen to themselves or their baby.
According to the Royal College of Pschiatrists, 10-15 per cent of women suffer from postnatal depressions. It can include feeling very low, struggling to look after the baby, and sfinding simple tasks such as showering or cooking difficult to manage.
Whilst it usuallt starts with a few months of birth, around one in three women experience symptoms in pregnancy which then continue.
Anne continues: "The ebst ways to treat maternal depression are set out clearly in guidelines from the National Insititue for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), but all too often there is a shocking lack of awareness.
"So many women have to rely on luck to come across a sympathetic GP or health visitor who will lead them to the right course or treatment.
"This report calls for an end to the neglect of this destructive and prevalen illness to ensure that every mother is gauranteed the practical and emotional support she needs to avoid her unnecessary suffering and that of her family."