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DR HILARY'S DIAGNOSIS

Nell‘s experience of post-natal depression is typical – exhaustion, tearfulness, anxiety and the illogical and unjustifiable feeling of guilt about not being able to cope.

It’s something that creeps up on you, often so slowly that neither you, your partner nor your family notice until it becomes severe.

It’s important to talk about how you feel before it gets worse.

It’s not abnormal and it’s certainly not your fault – it’s partly sleep deprivation and partly the new baby changing your life around.

Social isolation and a difficult birth always make it worse.

But Nell shouldn’t worry about having another baby.

Next time she will be more prepared and aware of it.

Regular exercise, a good support network and accepting lots of help are all vital.

And if she is unlucky enough to suffer again, antidepressants really can speed recovery safely.

'Will my baby blues come back again?'

EVERY WEEK A CELEB ASKS OUR FABULOUS DOCTOR FOR HEALTH ADVICE. THIS WEEK IT’S MODEL AND REALITY TV STAR NELL MCANDREW, 34

I’m normally quite an upbeat person, but when my son Devon was born in August 2006, I lost my get up and go.

I was bursting into tears at the slightest thing, felt constantly exhausted and got really run down.

But I wouldn’t let anyone help as I wanted to be the perfect mum.

On top of that, my husband Paul and I had moved back to my native Yorkshire from London, so I felt really isolated.

I’d had a difficult labour and, in hindsight, I should have given myself more time to recuperate.

But I just convinced myself that my anxiety was down to being a new mum.

Deep down I knew something was wrong, but I didn’t want to go to my GP because I didn’t think she’d understand.

Instead I suffered in silence until Devon was five months old when, feeling completely overwhelmed, I asked my mum, Nancy, if she thought I was suffering from post-natal depression (PND).

She said yes, which was such a relief – at last it felt as though I could talk to someone about it.

I didn’t want to take antidepressants, but starting to exercise again really helped as it boosts feel-good hormones.

We also moved back to London where I’ve got my support network back, and I’m making more of an effort to join local mother and baby groups, which has helped me realise I’m not alone.

I’ve only recently started to feel truly better.

Devon’s two now and I’d like to have more children – but even though I’m more aware of the signs of PND, I’m worried that it could strike again.

Is there anything I can do to avoid it or nip it in the bud?

Words: Sarah Ewing. Photography: celebritypictures.co.uk. Nell is the face of the potato council - visit Britishpotatoes.co.uk

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