You helped me when my daughter had postnatal depression
DEAR DEIDRE: After my beautiful, first granddaughter was born, my daughter suffered from terrible postnatal depression.
She’d had a traumatic birth and fell into a black hole of depression soon afterwards. I felt sick with worry for her.
I’m 60 and my daughter is 33.
I tried to help her as much as I could, babysitting for the child, talking to her and contacting the postnatal team, but she seemed so sad and lost that I felt helpless.
You reassured me I was being a great support to her and that things would get better.
You sent me your Depression pack and the details of the Association of Post-Natal Illness (apni.org) - which you said could help me too.
Her partner and I managed to persuade her to talk to her GP, and she was prescribed antidepressants and has been having counselling, which really helped. She’s also joined a mums’ group.
She started to brighten up after a few weeks and, while she still has difficult days, is now a lot stronger.
Thank you for being there, Deidre.
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DEIDRE SAYS: She is very lucky to have such a supportive mum.
I really hope things continue to improve for her.
Enjoy your granddaughter.]
