Exploring the Narratives of Women Who Identify with the Term “Postnatal Depression”

Abstract: This study explored the experiences of women who self-identify with the term “postnatal depression” and have accessed NHS services for treatment. This research gives a voice to these women and hopes to better understand how to work psychologically with them. Six women were interviewed and narrative analysis was used to explore their experiences. A single story was constructed to illustrate the shared meanings from the women’s experiences. This depicted trauma, feeling unheard, the use of language, and the impact of social constructs of motherhood as key narratives. The clinical application and implications of this paper are considered.