An episode of perinatal depression and anxiety can be mild, moderate, or severe. It is diagnosed when several of the following symptoms occur for more than two weeks, causing significant distress or impairment:

– Depressed mood, including feeling sad, empty or hopeless

– Crying for no apparent reason

– Loss of interest or pleasure in life

– Physical symptoms: (changes in appetite, headaches, sweaty palms, heart racing)

– Insomnia or excessive sleep

– Moving more slowly or finding it harder to slow down

– Loss of energy or fatigue

– Not feeling attached or bonded with your baby

– Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, feeling trapped

– Impaired concentration or indecisiveness

– Thoughts of death, self-harm or a suicide attempt

– Difficulty concentrating or focussing

– Feeling unusually restless

– Fear that something awful might happen

– Excessive and generalised worry

– Irritability

– Panic attacks

– Muscle tension

– Sleep disturbance

– Appetite disturbance

– Obsessive or compulsive behaviours

– Other physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, sweaty hands, stomach complaints

If symptoms have been present for 14 days, and it is starting to impact a parents ability to have wellbeing and positive functioning it may be time to encourage professional support like The Gidget Foundation.