Reflection on Mothers DayLast night my daughter was feeling off it and she just wanted to be hugged. As she is rapidly growing up and not always asking for this, I relished in holding her and being able to offer her comfort. My daughter constantly chatters and she could not resist talking whilst we were having a quiet moment! She was telling me about her card she is making for me on Mother’s Day at school and was asking me about Mother’s Day. Continue reading
A few years ago, I came across a book called ‘Working it out: Using exercise in Psychotherapy’. This book highlights that walking during counselling or therapy:
Having a new baby can be a joyous occasion. However, experts believe that about 10 – 15% of women experience some kind of depression after giving birth. This can often be as simple as a mother just not feeling herself. If this continues, the initial feelings can become more pervasive, and without interventions or treatment, can result in Post Natal Depression (PND). Continue reading
Royal baby news
Baby talk is the forefront of most people’s mind this week as we welcome the arrival of our new baby prince to his proud parents, William and Kate. Woman’s Hour mentioned that 80% of the population would be feeling happy on Monday. A close friend of mine heard this and said “Maybe some of us aren’t joyous, as the pain of seeing a healthy baby. It saddens us when it reminds us of our own losses and failures”. She had suffered Post Natal Depression (PND) with her first child and only remembers tears and sadness in the first year of her baby’s life. We are slowly hearing of more and more women who suffer from PND and there are a lot more who continue to suffer in silence. Postnatal depression affects 15% of expectant mothers. Continue reading
This is a story from a client who kindly shared her story in a local baby and toddler magazine . It explains her post-natal depression and how counselling helped her with postnatal depression. The client gave full permission for this to be posted. The story has been adapted so it cannot be linked to the client.
“I was a Mum with a 9 month old baby and everyone kept telling me that I was lucky to be staying at home with my baby. So why don’t I think I was lucky and why wasn’t I happy? I thought having a baby would bring me joy and happiness. Instead I felt constantly tired and I wasn’t sleeping at night. I used to dread her crying and felt no bond to my baby. I find myself angry at silly things and my anger came out in all sorts of ways. I’d shout at baby and I am often felt irritated with my husband. In fact, I don’ think he could do anything right. I couldn’t be bothered with anything. The pile of washing was piling up, the house was messy and paperwork was piling up. I felt so lonely and isolated. I visited toddler groups but it felt like no-one wanted to talk to me. I’d just sit there hoping that someone will come and talk to me. I used to be a confident person who could talk to anyone. I had a couple of good friends that were supportive but even they stopped ringing me. It feels as though they have dropped me. I thought there was something wrong with me but it was just because I was depressed.
In 2012 I saw an advert in the Link Magazine of a counsellor who helped with Post Natal Depression, but more importantly for me did the counselling by email. As a Mum this was ideal as it meant I could do my counseling while the baby slept. It was hard to admit that I had depression but it was certainly my first step forward. I had contact with my counsellor for 3 months. At the end of this time I felt I was a different person. I can’t believe how sharing my thoughts and problems have helped me. I felt like a mum who was now under control. One day my child was running into my arms and I was overwhelmed by the amount of joy and love that I felt inside. I suddenly felt blessed and lucky to have such a wonderful child. The counsellor encouraged me to plan my day and take small steps.. She taught me techniques to turn my negative thoughts into positive ones. Not every day is a good day but generally I am happy. I am slowly making new friends and I even enjoy the days I have with my toddler when we are on our own.”