Sounds to me that your client might suffer from postnatal depression. One
new mother out of ten suffers from clinical depression after childbirth,
and one out of two or three, depending on the studies, will simply be
miserable for a long time. Without help, support and , possibly,
medication, this can drag well over a year, and have tremendous
consequences on the development of the baby, who becomes depressed too,
and on the family. Could be a good idea to have her evalutated by someone
who knows. And, please, don't ask her if she really wants to be a mother:
she probably feels miserable enough, without having to feel guilty or
inadequate.
Louise Denhez, M.D., M.P.H
Chargee d'enseignement clinique
Departement de medecine sociale et preventive
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