FAMILY MEMBERS

The person suffering from depression may not feel able to share this with other family members because of the response she feels she may receive. Much energy may be spent trying to hide symptoms but close family members often notice changes, such as not being her normal self or enjoying life.

Attempts by family members to offer support may be perceived as being critical or invading. The woman’s symptoms may trigger previous memories in others due to past experiences with depression or difficult events during their own parenting practices.

Conversely, family members may not understand PND and wish the woman to simply ‘snap out of it’.