Postnatal depression is back in the news after singer Adele has told of her battle with postnatal depression following the birth of her son, Angelo. She told Vanity Fair magazine that she felt, at the time, like she had made ‘the worst decision’ of her life.
While she says she now loves her son ‘more than anything’ Adele admits she really struggled adjusting to motherhood.
And she is not the only one. Statistics show that it is a common problem, affecting more than 1 in every 10 women within a year of giving birth, says the NHS. It can also affect fathers and partners, although this is less common.
Adele’s partner Simon Konecki advised her to talk to other mothers about her concerns after she admitted that she was ‘obsessed with my child’ and felt very inadequate.
The Vanity Fair interview comes as Adele reaches the end of her 10-month tour to mark her album 25. She admits she still feels uncomfortable spending time away from her son.
“I’m enjoying touring, but at times I feel guilty because I’m doing this massive tour, and even though my son is with me all the time, on certain nights I can’t put him to bed. I never feel guilty when I’m not working,” she adds.
“You’re constantly trying to make up for stuff when you’re a mum. I don’t mind, because of the love I feel for him.”
The NHS says it is important to seek help as soon as possible if you think you might be depressed, as your symptoms could last months or get worse and have a significant impact on you, your baby and your family. With the right support, which can include self-help strategies and therapy, most women make a full recovery.
And the Royal College of Psychiatrists says Postnatal Depression is a depressive illness which has symptoms similar to those in depression at other times. These include low mood and other symptoms lasting at least two weeks.
The National Council for Hypnotherapy says postnatal depression is essentially another form of clinical depression, this time brought on by having a new baby. And this is caused by undue feelings of stress and anxiety.
As a major part of a hypnotherapist’s work is helping the client cope with a variety of stresses and anxieties, the hypnotherapist can assess each individual’s stress and anxiety.
They will identify the root of the anxiety and, after establishing the client’s goal as to how they would like to feel, they will then work together to reach that goal using a range of different techniques. Every therapist may use slightly different techniques, but all will be working towards the same goal.
Hypnotherapy, adds the NCH, can effectively lower the incidences of postnatal depression and in the UK, hypnosis is increasingly being used to reduce the risk of postnatal depression.
It has been shows that hypnotherapy treatment eliminates the negative messages about birth and these messages often come through stories in the media or on television.
Women are conditioned to believe that birth is perilous and fraught with danger and it is this expectation of fear that creates the tension. But hypnotherapy works at the subconscious level, changing instinctive perceptions of birth so that it is seen as a positive experience, making mothers aware of how they can be in control and be free of fear for a different birthing experience.
Hypnobirthing, or hypnotherapy for childbirth, can help overcome fear and anxiety around conception, parenting, the birth and other postnatal events.
“Hypnosis works at a subconscious level, changing instinctive perceptions of birth so that it is seen as a positive experience, enabling birthing mothers to trust their body. It also makes mothers aware of how they can be in control and manage their environment, keeping it free of threats.”