Supporting someone with PND
Accept that she has an illness – she is not feeling sorry for herself. Show her you care – without support she may find it more difficult to get better.
Listen to her – let her talk to you in her own way, she may tell you the same thing many times, be patient.
Learn to read her body language – there may be things she cannot say.
Accept the good feelings and the bad – bad thoughts kept to herself take on immense and unreal proportions.
Do not judge or dismiss.
Do not say – “Pull yourself together”.
Give it time.
Encourage her to seek professional help.
Try to encourage her to attend a support group.
Show that you have confidence in her as a mother.
Persuade her to give herself time, she has a right and a need for personal time.
Supporting someone with Postnatal Depression is exhausting, make sure that you take care of yourself too!
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