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How will I know if I have a mental health problem?

It’s normal to worry during pregnancy or after having a baby. Many people feel low or anxious at times. But if these feelings last longer, get worse, or stop you living your life, it could be a mental health problem.

Mental health problems are common

Mental health problems during pregnancy or after birth are common. They can:

  • start before pregnancy and carry on
  • be an old problem that comes back
  • be a new problem that starts during this time

Everyone is different, so symptoms will vary from person to person.

Common mental health problems

The most common problems are:

  • low mood
  • depression
  • anxiety
  • stress

Other problems include:

  • PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
  • OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder)
  • complex PTSD
  • personality disorders
  • health anxiety
  • phobias (like fear of birth, needles or hospitals)

Signs you might need help

You do not need to have all of these signs to get support. If you have any of the following, please speak to someone:

  • Your feelings last more than 2 weeks
  • You cannot control your thoughts or feelings
  • You have physical symptoms (like trouble sleeping or feeling sick)
  • You find it hard to do daily tasks like work, go out, or care for your baby or yourself
  • You feel like you cannot cope

Other signs to look out for

These symptoms may be linked to certain mental health problems:

  • Panic attacks
  • Unwanted thoughts that keep coming back
  • Thoughts about hurting yourself, or doing so
  • Feeling so scared about birth that you don’t want to go through with it
  • Strong fear of needles, tests or hospitals
  • Repeating actions or thoughts to try and feel better

When to speak to someone

If you are not sure whether to get help, talk to:

  • your midwife
  • a trusted friend or family member

You are not alone. Support is available.