Did your mother have post-natal depression?

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We're past the time of blaming mothers for autism (apart from in France) but I'm curious to know how many people's parents were affected by PND.
I was told for a long time that I am the way I am because my mother didn't like me. It is true, to some extent - she didn't want to hold me when I was born, was very depressed, and only started to "like" me when I was 3 months old. Of course, I don't believe she is to blame (especially since my elder brother, who she doted on, also displays autistic characteristics), but I did used to wonder if it was ME that was to blame for her PND. I was convinced that she instinctively knew something was wrong and that's why she rejected me. I know now that she would never have been able to tell at that stage, so I'm being paranoid, but I still can't help but feel that she "sensed" I was faulty goods. Add to that the fact that she was very ill during pregnancy and at one point they couldn't find a heartbeat and thought I'd died ... well, it's all fuel for my paranoia.

My mother had PND. But so did her mother, and hers was a lot more severe, and her child wasn't autistic.

I have to admit to not knowing much about the causes of PND, but I imagine if you looked them up you'd find some reassurance.

It's also worth remembering that post natal depression is very, very, common; much more common than autism.

Well, she was sad that I almost died during childbirth. I don't think that's the same thing.

Yes, but what is wrong with the people who are NOT a little depressed. Aren't they aware of what is going on in the world?

I don't know i it's relevant, but I am the mother of one (possibly 2, younger one is a bit young to tell) asperger child and I never had PND after any of my pregnancies (I have 2 NT children) , and am in fact a baby wearer and bed sharer which is supposed to be very good for attachment (and both my 'aspies' are very attached to me, though my eldest is less attached to his father, which is a great shame.)

Asperger gene comes from My father, who is pretty classic but of course undiagnosed, being now nearly 70.

Claire

Mine didn't. Shes just crazy anyway. She's borderline personality disorder.

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