Information for Family and Friends:
If you feel that a family member or friend might have any Perinatal Mood disorder they might not realise or want to acknowledge that this is the case and that you can tell because they’re not behaving as they usually do. Furthermore, any of these disorders can develop slowly and over time so they might not feel the changes but you can see them.
If you think that a relative or friend may be suffering from a Perinatal Mood disorder please encourage them to speak to a trained professional or call the Menucha helpline, 0300 222 5764, for some further advice.
See our resource list for available services you can access.
Some Tips for Family and Friends
1.
Try to give the person in question as much practical help as possible. PMDs make sufferers feel extremely tired and small tasks feel like huge ones. Menucha is able to help with this so get in contact if you think we could help.
2.
It is important to reassure the person in question that they will recover and this is only a small stage in their life with will end soon, repeat this reassurance as often as you can so they themselves begin to believe it.
3.
Encourage the person in question to have as much rest as possible, offer to look after the baby and other children or to send in meals so they don't have to worry about that. Menucha is able to help with this so get in contact if you think we could help.
4.
It is very important to try and encourage them to seek professional help if they have not already done so. Perinatal Mood disorders will not just disappear on their own and very often some kind of treatment is needed. Its been proven the earlier treatment begins the quicker the recovery.
5.
But most importantly just be there for them, listen to them if they want to talk, go out with them if they want to go out, pass them tissues if they are crying, just support them and let them know you are there for them. Menucha is able to help support you with this so get in contact if you think we could help.
1.
Frequently crying for no obvious reason
2.
Having difficulty bonding with their baby, looking after them only as a duty and not wanting to play with them
3.
Withdrawing from contact with other people
4.
Speaking negatively all the time and claiming that they're hopeless
5.
Neglecting themselves, such as not washing or changing their clothes​
6.
Losing all sense of time, such as being unaware whether 10 minutes or 2 hours have passed
7.
Losing their sense of humour
Signs Of A Perinatal Mood Disorder
It’s important to know YOUR normal, if a new mother is not acting within their normal they may be experiencing a perinatal mood disorder. Perinatal mood disorders are more common than you think. If you are REGULARLY experiencing these symptoms you do NOT have to feel this way and are advised to look for help and support.
Did you know....
Of the women Menucha has supported in the last year 31% of women were pregnant and 69% were postnatal
