Postnatal depression affects around one in six women but is still a taboo subject. Women's Editor CHrisen Pears reports.

STORIES about Sadie Frost and Jude Law's troubled marriage have been splashed all over the papers recently but, while some say Nicole Kidman is the cause of their problems, others put it down to Frost's postnatal depression.

The mother-of-four checked into a top London clinic last week, and Law announced she had been suffering from the condition since the birth of their son Rudy in September. The much-publicised case brings to the fore a condition which still has something of a stigma, and as a result, is not often recognised, diagnosed or even treated properly.

Postnatal depression can affect as many as one in six women. It is no respecter of age, status, circumstance or medical history, and can strike cruelly and indiscriminately. Former Coronation star Denise Welch, chat show host Trisha Goddard, and fashion expert Susannah Constantine suffered from the condition, yet it is often a taboo subject, rarely mentioned in books on pregnancy and childbirth, and not usually discussed at antenatal classes.

Most new mums experience some form of baby blues - a short period of weepiness after their baby is born. A mother may feel very emotional and unable to explain why she is upset.

The blues may be connected with a hormonal change brought on by giving birth or problems associated with feeding, sleeping or adjusting to a new baby. Rest and time to get used to the new arrival and lifestyle changes usually lead to a reduction in anxiety and the is able to enjoy her baby.

However, not all women are so fortunate, and for some, the deterioration into serious depression can be so severe as to warrant outpatient psychiatric help and drug therapy. Unfortunately, many mothers experience severe depression without recognising it as a treatable illness.

Heather Welford, the Newcastle-based journalist and spokeswoman for the National Childbirth Trust, interviewed dozens of new mums for her book on postnatal depression, Feelings After Birth.

She says: "A lot of the time, women don't even realise what's happening to them but around ten to 15 per cent of new mothers suffer from postnatal depression. A good deal more of them experience feelings of sadness or isolation but that doesn't usually last."

Postnatal depression can take two forms. One type occurs when a patch of postnatal blues, which started soon after the baby's birth, becomes worse and more distressing as time passes. The second type develops more slowly and is not noticeable until several weeks after the birth of the baby.

Heather says: "Many mothers feel tired all of the time, no matter how much sleep they get. Conversely, others have problems sleeping. They may be tearful for no real reason and experience low self-esteem. Some find it difficult to keep track of time and they often feel that they're the worst mother in the world."

It is impossible to pinpoint an exact cause for postnatal depression although there are several common factors. Women who have a history of mental health problems are more susceptible while others cases may be triggered by a difficult birth, perhaps where the mother feels out of control and doesn't understand what is happening. Research has also shown that women who have babies who don't sleep or are difficult to soothe tend to experience more difficulties. There are, however, postnatal depression sufferers who are not exposed to any of these factors.

"Whatever the causes, it is essential that the mother gets help," says Heather. "Researchers have been tracking babies whose mothers suffered from postnatal depression and there can be serious effects as they grow older, such as learning and behavioural difficulties. A baby may be well-cared for physically but emotionally, they could be suffering."

There is plenty of help available and sufferers' families are urged to be as supportive as possible.

Julia Macpherson, press officer with the mental health charity Mind, explains: "Often professional therapy or help from family and friends can be enough to get someone through the condition. There is definitely still a stigma attached to the condition - women who suffer can feel they are terrible mothers who are not bonding properly with their baby.

"Sufferers need to be given sympathy and physical support caring for the baby to allow them to get more rest, eat a good meal, or spend a bit of time doing something they enjoy.

"Trying to chivvy someone out of postnatal depression by telling them they have a beautiful baby and wonderful husband is not going to work. Neither is telling them to pull themselves together. The key is understanding and patience - don't walk out however unreasonable they are being."

Counselling is always an option, although depending on where you live, this may or may not be free, but talking through problems can really help. Support groups and helplines are also run by organisations such as the Association for Postnatal Illness and Meet A Mum Assocation, set up by Esther Rantzen to put mothers who feel isolated in touch with others.

* Contact the Association for Postnatal Illness on 020 7386 0868 or Mind on 020 8519 2122. MAMA can be contacted on 01525 217064 or visit the website at www.mama.org.uk