Local therapist says more parents are struggling with mental health
East Anglia therapist notes emotional struggles among new parents as new research reveals nearly three quarters of parents feeling overwhelmed
A therapist in East Anglia has observed a growing number of parents seeking help for emotional struggles after having a baby.
Graham Johnston, a psychotherapist registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), noted that many new parents are prepared for the practical challenges, such as managing late nights and stress, but are often unprepared emotionally.
It comes as recent BACP research found that nearly twice as many parents feel unprepared emotionally compared to the practical aspects of parenthood.
The study involved over 2,000 parents with children under three, revealing a tendency to focus more on the practical preparations like birth plans and first aid.
Overall it revealed that most new parents (88%) reported difficulty in managing their mental health after becoming parents.
" The vast majority of people out there are in some way struggling with being a new parent, whether that is just the physical impact of the tiredness, whether it is that more emotional element of overwhelm."
Graham said it was normal to feel a range of emotions after having your first child, but to look for some warning signs that you might be needing some extra help:
" There are some natural stresses and strains of being a new parent, there are going to be moments where you feel relatively overwhelmed and a bit teary. But I think there's a point at which those feelings start to feel more every day,
And if that continues over a few weeks or a few months, then I would be certainly asking someone to ask themselves the question, what do I need?"
Graham also observed that pressure to be a "good parent" enhances this stress, with 73% admitting to struggling with mental wellbeing expectations, and 64% concealing their challenges.
Graham said a lot of this stress came from social media:
" I think rather than compare your experience to others through social media, your main role as a parent ideally is to set your own expectations and be clear in your own mind about what you are able to absorb and what you are able to expect of yourself."
" As long as you are physically providing security for your child, as long as you are loving them, you are doing a more than good enough job as a parent."
Both the study and local therapist, Graham, stressed the importance off talking about these challenges, hoping to better support new parents.