helping a freind

[carry]

hi

Recently i discovered a freind who is suffering quite badly with post natal depression. Reading all that has been written here has helped me to understand what she is actually going through as a lot of what has been written practically mirrors her experience. She finds it hard to express how she feels and is very confused with conflicting messages. She also feels her partner is failing her at this moment. he is a wonderful man and loves his family very much but underestimates her illness. the problem is is that he is so used to be in control of situations. he is very succesful in bussiness and doesnt deal to well with weakness. do you think this could be the reason for his lack of support? i feel that he himself may feel hes failing his wife and family so therefore blocks it out.

please can anyone suggest ways in which myself and my partner can help them both?

[joanna]

The best way you coul dhelp your freind is probably by giving her a hand with the baby, taking her out for walks etc. to give her and her husband some time on their own, and also to give your freind a chance to sleep, or just relax.

perhaps you could ask her husband to read some of the responses on this site - it may open his eyes a little. Unless you have suffered depression, there is no way you can understand.

you sound like a really good freind, and just talking will help, so make sure your freind knows how much you care about her.

good luck.
Jo