Baby Blues

Most women might envy Jennifer Lopez’ amazing curves, sensational career, adoring husband and the recent arrival of her twins Emme and Max. But even A-list Hollywood celebs, it seems, suffer from the same troubles as the rest of us, with recent reports suggesting J-Lo is struggling with depression, four months after the birth.

According to Closer magazine, J-Lo’s a perfectionist and is anxious to be a good mum. As a result she's not eating or sleeping properly, and when things goes wrong in regards to the twins, she beats herself up for being a bad mum.

The anxiety, coupled with lack of sleep and the strict dieting and exercise regime that has seen J-Lo lose her pregnancy weight so rapidly, has not been good for her health, say friends.

So could Jen be suffering from post-natal depression? According to Dr George John, visiting consultant psychiatrist at Cygnet Hospital Godden Green, feelings of guilt about not fulfilling the expectations of motherhood is a classic symptom of post-natal illness.

What is post-natal depression?

Post-natal illness can range in severity from the very common 'baby blues' to the much more rare condition puerperal psychosis, explains Dr John. The onset of depression, he says, comes usually within the first four to six weeks following childbirth, but may take up to six months to develop fully.

Symptoms of depression

The symptoms, adds Dr John, vary from one person to another and depend on the severity of the illness. However, the following symptoms – along with the feelings of inadequacy that Jen is reportedly suffering from – are common:

• Sleep difficulties, even during quiet periods
• Feelings of inadequacy or inability to cope
• Inability to feel warmth and bonding towards the baby
• Loss of appetite
• Irritability or marked anxiety about normal, everyday situations
• Hostility towards the perceived shortcomings or a partner or loved ones
• Unexplained tearfulness
  

The rarer puerperal psychosis is much more severe and may bring on delusions, mood swings, hallucinations, suicidal ideas and sometimes, in severe cases, infanticidal thoughts, which can necessitate hospital admission at times. Meanwhile, no mother will experience all of these depression symptoms but perhaps a number of them in combination.

Cygnet Health Care offers treatment for women suffering from post-natal depression at its hospitals in Godden Green, Harrogate and Harrow. There is an extensive range of therapy options, including one-to-one individual sessions, group therapy sessions and, when necessary, residential treatment.

See our A-Z guide to antenatal yoga, postnatal yoga, counselling and psychotherapy for ideas on how to look after yourself, both physically and mentally, during pregnancy and beyond.