Understanding mental health
Everyday tasks can become incredibly tough if you are parenting with depression, with many people struggling unnecessarily. Depression can be very isolating, and it is often hard to think clearly and can become increasingly difficult without support. Getting support can make a significant difference to your depression and can have a positive effect on your family too. If you are struggling, contact your GP for help and support. If you feel unable to do this, ask a friend or family member to make the first appointment and come with you.
Anxiety
If feelings of anxiety are becoming overwhelming or holding you back from family life, try to speak to your GP for support. Untreated anxiety can have an impact on the family, as well as making your own parenting experience especially stressful and unnecessarily hard. Many parents experience feelings of anxiety, if it has become too much to manage it’s important to seek help.
Bipolar
If you have been diagnosed with bipolar it’s important to ensure you talk to your mental health team and family for support. There are many parents successfully managing their bipolar while raising families. It can help to talk through coping strategies with other parents, and to have a clear support network if you are finding things tough.
Psychosis
Psychosis can be triggered by many different things, including trauma, physical illness and medication. Psychosis may include hallucinations, delusions, confused thinking and speech. It’s essential you get support from your GP if you are parenting with psychosis for ongoing support and treatment.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
If you have obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), parenting may feel especially challenging at times. If you feel your OCD is becoming unmanageable or is causing you and your family distress and anxiety, it’s important to speak with a health professional for support. There are several effective treatments to support OCD, including medication, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and talking therapies.