When a friend of mine confessed that she suffered from post-natal depression (PND, also called medically as postpartum depression), I dismissed it lightly as "just having the blues". I thought it was simply being tired, sleepless and perhaps being overwhelmed with all the new tasks one has to juggle with the arrival of a new child. Little did I know that post-natal depression is real, and affects approximately one in five mothers and approximately one in ten fathers.

Although PND is also characterized by tiredness and sleeplessness, mothers who suffer PND do not bounce back even when given the opportunity to rest or sleep. They feel low, unhappy, and irritable for no apparent reason. And that makes it doubly hard for people around her to understand. Here's a leaflet about postnatal depression that could help you understand PND deeper.

The good news is, PND can be treated. If you feel like you may be suffering from PND, do seek counseling so you and your family can enjoy your new baby even better.