|
28th November 2005 Mothers lie about post natal depression Nearly half of all mothers suffering from post-natal depression lie to their health visitors about it. The shocking figures are revealed by BBC One's Real Story. Post natal depression (PND) is currently thought to affect about 10 per cent of new mothers but a survey for the programme found 44 per cent of mothers do not tell the truth about their symptoms because they are afraid of the consequences. One explanation many gave was that they were afraid that health visitors would call in the social services, leading to the possibility they would lose their children. Others felt they would be seen as bad mothers. Symtoms of PND can range from self-harm and depression to suicide in the most extreme cases. Of the 597 depressed mothers who responded to the survey, 236 of them lied on the form about their feelings. Jean Robinson, of the Association for the Improvement in Maternity Services, said recent high-profile child abuse cases may have led to a focus by health visitors on spotting abuse. "Since the Climbie Inquiry the government has asked all healthcare personnel and health visitors to look out for risk for children so that their primary priority is not to help the mother and support the family, but to say 'Are these children at risk, we must report it to social services, I cover my back by doing this'." Real Story with Fiona Bruce will be broadcast on Monday 28th November at 7.30pm on BBC One. Where to next?
|
News
|
|
