Maternal Mental Health Scotland
  • For those affected
    • How can pregnancy affect my mental health?
    • What is postnatal depression?
    • Why is this happening to me?
    • How can I support her?
    • What is postpartum psychosis?
  • Getting help
    • What will happen if I need help?
    • If I need medical advice, who do I contact?
    • Who will be helping us?
    • What’s a Mother and Baby Unit like?
    • What if I have had mental health problems in the past?
    • Links to ongoing support for women, partners and families
  • Resources
    • FAQ
    • Multimedia resources
    • Guideline Reports
    • Reading List
    • About Us
  • News and Events
    • News
    • Christine’s tour
  • Everyone’s Business

Education and resources about perinatal mental health


One couple’s story

by MMHS • 8 February 2015


This case study concerns a couple assisted by the Bluebell PND counselling service in Glasgow.

Both mum and dad were struggling with parenthood. The mother had been diagnosed with postnatal depression and was on anti-depressants. The father was also severely depressed and on Prozac. They had two children aged 10 months and two years.

The mother felt “disconnected” from her children, particularly her 10 month old daughter. She felt like a “bad mother” and unable to cope and didn’t feel she would ever be able to go back to work, although financially this was necessary. In therapy she was able to explore the issues surrounding the traumatic birth of her daughter and her relationship with her own mother.

The father felt overwhelmed with his responsibilities and didn’t know how to be “a father”. In therapy he disclosed childhood sexual abuse and was able to discuss this with his wife for the first time.

A greater understanding of themselves and their relationship with each other and their children developed. Through the use of the crèche the counsellor was able to identify and work with attachment issues with the children.

At the end of the therapy the mother was back at work part-time and retraining for a new career. Both had come off medication and were feeling positive and optimistic about the future. The mother said “Thank you so much for all your support over the last year, it truly feels like you saved our lives.”

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Print

Related


Find information

Recent posts

  • Baby Loss Retreat – What Peer Support Means to us
  • 3D Drumchapel – What Peer Support Means to Us
  • Job Opportunity – Everyone’s Business Campaign Coordinator (Scotland)
  • What peer support means to us – Quarriers Maternal Wellbeing Service
  • What Peer Support Means to Me – by Emma McKinnon

External Resources

  • National Childbirth Trust
  • Bluebell PND Counselling Service
  • Association for Post Natal Illness
  • Mellow Parenting
  • Maternal Mental Health Alliance
  • Royal College of Psychiatrists
  • Royal College of Midwives
  • Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

Donate to support us
Please donate to support our work.

We have created this site to provide you with information and resources. However, this site is not medical advice and is provided for your information only. Maternal Mental Health Scotland cannot provide medical or health advice through this web site.

If you need assistance, please speak with your GP or contact the resources available to you within your local health board.

Find who can help me in my community

Third sector web design by Idea15 Web Design
Maternal Mental Health Scotland is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. No: SC044891
Registered Office: Studio 1015, Mile End Mill, Abbeymill Business Centre, Seedhill Road, Paisley PA1 1 TJ Email
©2014-2017 Maternal Mental Health Scotland