The severity of postnatal anxiety and depression depends on the number of symptoms, their intensity and the extent to which they interfere with getting on with day-to-day life. The combination and severity of symptoms will be different for every parent but might include:
Panic attacks (a racing heart, palpitations, shortness of breath, shaking or feeling physically ‘detached’ from your surroundings)
Persistent, generalised worry, often focused on fears for the health, wellbeing or safety of the baby
The development of obsessive or compulsive thoughts and/or behaviours
Abrupt mood swings
Feeling constantly sad, low, or crying for no obvious reason
Being nervous, ‘on edge’, or panicky
Feeling constantly tired and lacking energy
Having little or no interest in all the normal things that bring joy (like time with friends, exercise, eating, or sharing partner time)
Sleeping too much or not sleeping very well at all
Losing interest in intimacy
Withdrawing from friends and family
Being easily annoyed or irritated
Feeling angry
Finding it difficult to focus, concentrate or remember (people with depression often describe this as a ‘brain fog’)
Engaging in more risk taking behavior (e.g. alcohol or drug use)
Having thoughts of harming your baby
Having thoughts of death or suicide.

I would probably have a chat to the doctor if in doubt. It is very common, so very likely

I went threw it I knew when my baby was six weeks old and I was still crying over everything when I should of been on top of the world. I have always been emotional but cried over everthing you will know if your not feeling right. good luck

You are meant to give yourself the 6 weeks after birth at your 6week checkup they will assess for these things. X

Give yourself 6 weeks from when bubba is born at your 6 week checkup they should ask how you are feeling etc then be able to diagnose PND.

If things don’t improve talk to your gp, they may ask what your feeling have been like and try to help you get through itl:)

It’s completely normal to be frazzled during the first month or so. With my PND, I couldn’t enjoy my children & didn’t feel like I could cope. If your still feeling overwhelmed, definately mention it at your 6 week check up.

Some good advice below – hope some has helped.

It is hard to tell at such an early stage after having your bub, you have been through a huge change and it does take an enormous amount of adjusting. Don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor about how you feel.

I agree with Lynzstevo, having a bub is a big change in your life and really hope your feeling ok

I had the post natal depression. I sruggled with the breast feeding and it was getting me down! Not until the nurse helped me with bottle feeding did I get on top of things and a bit happier. But depression is really hard.

It is normal to be a bit down after having a bub, its such a big change to your life and can be a bit of a shock, and the physical exhaustion can really take its toll. If it gets really bad talk to your doc about how you’re feeling. Hope you’re ok now

It’s hard when u hv a child and u hv broken sleep. If u find u r struggling u should go see the doc or talk with ur partner

Please go get checked if you think have PND

Postnatal depression (PND) is different from the baby blues.

The baby blues can make you feel moody, weepy, tired and anxious, but it usually gets better within a few hours, or days, after the birth. If these feelings go beyond the first two weeks after your baby is born, you may have PND. PND is an illness that has its own set of causes, and it is unlikely to go away quickly without treatment.

Being a mum is a physical and emotional rollercoaster, and you will have highs and lows. You probably don’t have PND if you have a few of the signs and symptoms described below every once in a while. But if there are no highs to balance out the lows, and your feelings of misery never seem to lift, you may have PND.

You may have been depressed during pregnancy, or perhaps the following symptoms have crept up on you over the past few weeks, or even months after the birth:
Constant negative thoughts and feelings.

Anxiety about things that wouldn’t normally bother you.

Taking no pleasure from being with your baby, or feeling hostile towards him, your partner, or your other children.

Extremely worried about your baby’s health, even though he’s fine, or thinking you are a hopeless mum, even if you’re doing well.

Fearful that you might harm your baby.

Being obsessed with your own health, or your baby’s, such as whether or not he is gaining weight, or is breathing properly.

You may also feel:
persistently sad or low
no pleasure in the things you usually enjoy
exhausted, and lacking in motivation
guilty, perhaps about not coping, or not loving your baby enough
lacking in confidence
ready to blame yourself for everything
not keen to see friends or family
irritable and tearful

PND may make you feel sapped of energy and unable to cope with your daily life. You may not be able to concentrate on anything. Or you may find it hard to remember things and be very indecisive. PND often affects sleep, whether that means you can’t get to sleep, or are disturbed by early-morning waking, or vivid nightmares.

If you have PND, you may also suffer from:
panic attacks that cause a rapid heartbeat, sweating, sickness or fainting
tummy pains, headaches or blurred vision
a loss of appetite, or the urge to comfort eat
suicidal feelings, or the urge to self-harm
a low sex drive

PND affects everyone differently. But if you are experiencing many of these feelings, and they are constant, or getting worse, talk to your health visitor or GP.

You don’t have to cope on your own. The first step to feeling better is to recognise that you have PND, and then seek the help and treatment that you need to get better. Sometimes PND can develop into a serious mental illness called postpartum psychosis, which needs immediate medical help.

Ask family and friends to support you through PND. You can also join the BabyCentre community to talk to other mums who understand how you are feeling.

I remember a doctor once telling me that PND is classified as ‘depression that occurs in the first year after giving birth’. So the signs would be pretty much the same as depression generally. Have you felt this way before in the past or suffered depression before? If not, are you getting sleep, or are there any other concerns you are having that are affecting you? Since this is a happy time for most, if you’re not enjoying it and just going through the motions, maybe it would be wise to speak to a health professional. If too many people are visiting you might be feeling overwhelmed as well. People do need to give you space as well at this early time…try to limit the amount of well wishers you feel you have to see, some can surely wait a while til you feel more settled in your new role. Could you ring a helpline for PND? I’m sure there must be one if you google it?

Some down feelings are normal after having a bub it helps to talk to close family, hubby, friends and get some support to express how you are feeling but also make an appointment at your doc or child health nurse and they can help you figure out whether what you are feeling is normal or may be something more. Either way it is very common and nothing to feel ashamed about xx

If you aren’t breast feeding you can try St Johns Wort – not sure if you are breast feeding

You can get some really useful information from http://justspeakup.com.au/ about PND. Obviously a certain level of the blues is expected after a birth – your body is still adjusting, your hormones are still all over the place, but you should always listen to your body. If you’re not 100%, speak to someone, your GP is always a good start.

It could be just the blues or something more you need to get to a doc before it gets worse …