• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
GO TO EXPAT LIVING SINGAPORE
GET OUR NEWSLETTER

Expat Living Hong Kong HomepageExpat Living Hong Kong

Moving to Hong Kong and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Hong Kong.

Login Pelcro Shop

Menu
  • Living In Hong Kong
      • Living Here
      • Where To Live
      • Schools
      • For Guys
        • SCMP Posties summer camps - journalismInteractive camps for budding journalists – and more!
        • Win a dinner for 2 at Basin (worth $2,000)
        • SCMP Posties summer camps - journalismInteractive camps for budding journalists – and more!
        • Exciting summer programmes for kids – in HK and abroad!
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things To Do
      • What’s On/Calendar
      • Competitions & Offers
        • Great podcasts we are listening to!
        • What to watch this month – Netflix & more!
        • Designing Circularity ExhibitionTop 35 Best Things To Do In Hong Kong This Weekend
        • Horoscopes for June 2023!
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Activities & Things To Do
      • Education & Enrichment
      • Health & Wellness
      • Mums & Babies
      • Podcasts
        • SCMP Posties summer camps - journalismInteractive camps for budding journalists – and more!
        • SCMP Posties summer camps - journalismInteractive camps for budding journalists – and more!
        • Exciting summer programmes for kids – in HK and abroad!
        • International schools in Hong Kong - HKABest International Schools In Hong Kong, Primary to Secondary
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Home Décor
      • Readers Homes
        • BoConcept Danish furniture and interior design services in Hong Kong - roomsetBoConcept celebrates a decade in Hong Kong!
        • Home design and décor tips - ginger jarsHow to bring your living room to life!
        • Rebecca, Brian and daughter Billie in their newly renovated Fortress Hill homeTransforming a Hidden Gem in Fortress Hill
        • Horizon Plaza stores - Indigo Living Boston Brownstone CollectionOur guide to furniture shopping at Horizon Plaza
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Short Breaks
      • Further Afield
        • Boat sailing around the PhilippinesSailing the Philippine archipelago
        • Pets and Planes: 5 Things to Consider
        • Sri Lanka - Where to go for a girls tripWhere to go for a girls’ trip
        • Best Surf Breaks in Southeast Asia - padang padangBest Surf Breaks in Southeast Asia
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Recipes & Groceries
      • Bars & Restaurants
        • Ruby Tuesday Hong Kong - burger mealTaste Test Burger Edition #2: Ruby Tuesday
        • Win a dinner for 2 at Basin (worth $2,000)
        • Beef & Liberty burgers in Hong Kong - Falafel burgerTaste Test Burger Edition #1 Beef & Liberty
        • Seafood restaurant in Hong Kong - Lobster Shack4 restaurants to satisfy your cravings
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
        • hair treatment at Glow Salon in Hong Kong4 hairdressers and their styling solutions
        • Considering getting hair extensions?
        • Paraben-free skincare for men
        • Skincare anti-ageing products, overnight creams, face and eye serumsTried and Tested: Anti-ageing Products 
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Medical & Dental
      • Fitness
      • Wellness
        • 11 great gyms & studios to keep in shape
        • recurrent miscarriages – causes, risk factors, ivf treatmentHealth help: A focus on recurrent miscarriage
        • lung cancer - symptoms and treatmentLung Cancer: 8 Common Myths
        • Osteopathy in Hong KongOsteopathy for Body Aches & Pains
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • Magazine
    • Advertise With Us
    • Close

Baby blues or something more?

24 April, 2023 by Expat Living 5 Min Read

https://expatliving.hk/postnatal-depression-symptoms-and-help-hong-kong-pyschologist-mindnlife/

Hong Kong clinical psychologist DR QURATULAIN ZAIDI of Mind N Life looks at the issue of postnatal depression – symptoms, signals and how it can affect not just new mums but their partners too.

What is postnatal depression?

Postnatal depression (PND) is a type of depression that many parents experience after having a baby. It’s a common mood disorder, affecting an estimated 15 to 18 percent of women within a year of giving birth (as many as 20 to 40 percent of women in less developed countries). Thirty percent of these had anxiety or a depressive mood disorder previously.

While many new mothers experience a bout of “baby blues” – a brief period of feeling low, emotional and tearful after giving birth – it doesn’t last for more than two weeks. Postnatal depression, on the other hand, can start any time in the year after giving birth and may begin gradually or suddenly. It can range from mild to severe. (The terms “postpartum” and “postnatal” are often used interchangeably – “postpartum” refers to issues pertaining to the mother while “postnatal” refers to those concerning the baby.)

Predisposing factors in postnatal depression can include previous mental health disorders (often undiagnosed), biological causes, a lack of support, a difficult childhood experience or the experience of abuse, low self-esteem, stressful living conditions and major life events.

Dr Quratulain Zaidi, clinical psychologist in Hong Kong discusses postnatal depression symptoms and help
Dr Quratulain Zaidi, clinical psychologist in Hong Kong

Symptoms of postnatal depression

10 physical symptoms of postnatal depression to look out for

  • a churning feeling in your stomach
  • feeling light-headed, dizzy or nauseous
  • pins and needles
  • panic attacks or feeling restless or unable to sit still
  • headaches, backache or other aches and pains
  • faster breathing or a fast, thumping or irregular heartbeat
  • sweating or hot flushes
  • sleeplessness
  • grinding your teeth, especially at night
  • changes in your sex drive

10 emotional signals of postnatal depression to look out for

  • feeling tense, nervous or unable to relax
  • having a sense of dread, or fearing the worst
  • feeling like the world is speeding up or slowing down
  • feeling like other people can see you’re anxious and are looking at you
  • worrying about anxiety itself (for example, about when panic attacks might happen)
  • wanting reassurance from others or worrying they’re angry or upset with you
  • worrying you’re losing touch with reality
  • worrying about the future
  • rumination: thinking about bad experiences or situations
  • depersonalisation/derealisation – feeling disconnected from mind or body, or from the world around you

image of mum and baby for article on postnatal depression by Hong Kong Clinical Psychologist Dr Zaidi of MindNLife

Impact on both parents

Only people who have given birth in the past year can be formally diagnosed with postnatal depression. Yet, increasingly studies are showing partners can also experience anxiety or depression. Childbirth is a huge life change for both members of a relationship; dealing with a lack of sleep, extra household responsibilities and financial worries makes it a period of adjustment that can be very difficult for the partner too.

In fact, it’s estimated that around 10 percent of fathers are depressed in the first year after birth, a rate twice as high as depression in the general male population. Some research has indicated the figure could be too low, and that in the three- to six-month period after birth, around one in four fathers exhibit symptoms of depression. A review published in June 2022, which looked at nearly 30,000 couples from 15 countries, found that in three in 100 families both the mother and father experienced postnatal depression at the same time.

Risk factors also can make some fathers more prone to PND. One is their partner’s mental health; the risk of the father developing PND is more than five times higher if the mother has it. (Similarly, there is evidence that paternal depression leads to increased symptoms of postnatal depression in mothers during pregnancy and in the first six months postpartum.) Other risk factors include lack of job stability, the pregnancy being unintended, poor relationship satisfaction, having a lack of information about pregnancy and birth, less social support, sleep deprivation, and having unrealistic expectations of fatherhood.

Impact on the child

Research studies show that postpartum depression in a mother can affect her child throughout childhood. This impact might be seen in one or more ways, including:

  • delays in language development and learning challenges in academic settings;
  • challenges with early secure attachment;
  • behavioural, psychological, social and psychological challenges;
  • increased crying or agitation;
  • shorter height and higher risk of obesity in preschoolers; and
  • problems dealing with stress and adjusting to school and other social situations. What’s more, untreated postpartum depression can affect your ability to parent.

You may:

  • not have enough energy;
  • have trouble focusing on the baby’s needs and your own needs;
  • feel moody;
  • not be able to care for your baby; or
  • have a higher risk of attempting suicide.

Feeling like a bad mother can make depression worse – and that’s why it’s so important to get help

What helps

As we’ve seen, If left untreated, PND can have a long-term impact on the parents’ relations and the child’s development. That’s why early intervention is key for the benefit of the whole family. This life transition can be a joyful yet stressful time, so being prepared is helpful too – and pre-emptive measures can decrease the severity of negative impacts.

One key is for parents to recognise and pay attention to their emotional state. This is very important, as you’re the only one who knows how you are feeling. Many people don’t realise they have PND because it can develop gradually. You should also talk openly to your partner about any issues – from how you’ll approach the matter of sleep (what’s the plan for getting up in the middle of the night when the baby cries?) to how you might handle any potential visits from in-laws.

dad and baby for article on postnatal depression symptoms and help by Dr Zaidi of MindNlife, clinical pyschologist in Hong Kong

You should also invest in your relationship with your partner, even at a time when life seems almost totally consumed by the baby. Make time for each other – plan weekly date nights and make it an opportunity to talk about other things as well as your growing family.

Use your social network and reach out to friends who’ll be able to support you without judgement. You could also join a support group – hearing from women who are going through the same stages of being a mum can help you to know that you are normal. Do be aware, however, of the risks of comparing – don’t “compare and despair” when it comes to your baby and anyone else’s. In the same way, dads should reach out to their individual network if they feel they need support.

Incorporate daily activities you love (and try to outsource things you don’t enjoy doing!). Exercise can be a great way to boost energy; if you don’t want to do anything too rigorous, try a pre-dinner walk with spouse and baby. This activity alone can change the brain chemistry and produces chemicals that are so helpful for your mood.

Finally, it’s very useful to maintain some perspective. You and your partner should remind yourselves that this phase of the baby’s dependency on you is temporary – it will pass; they grow up so quickly, so enjoy them. Have patience, too; the joys of having children far outweigh the stresses. Above all, though, be honest with yourself, and seek help if you are struggling.

Dr Zaidi is a British-registered clinical psychologist in Hong Kong who works with individuals, couples and families in her private practice in Central, and as a mental health consultant for a number of NGOs and international corporations.

2521 4668 | info@mindnlife.com
mindnlife.com

This article first appeared in the Spring 2023 issue of Expat Living magazine. Subscribe now so you never miss an issue.

Categories: Health & Fitness Kids Mums & Babies Wellness Tags: Dr Quratulain Zaidi Hong Kong Pregnancy Mind N Life Pregnancy

Get the latest events, stories and special offers sent to your inbox
Get the latest events, stories and special offers sent to your inbox

You May Also Like

SCMP Posties summer camps - journalism

Interactive camps for budding journalists – and more!

SCMP Posties summer camps - journalism

Interactive camps for budding journalists – and more!

Exciting summer programmes for kids – in HK and abroad!

Primary Sidebar

  • COMPETITIONS & OFFERS
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Subscribe

© 2023 Expat Living Hong Kong, All Rights Reserved.