Tina O’Brien, 36, has played the character of Sarah Platt in ITV’s Coronation Street since 1999. Tina revealed her secret battle with postnatal depression on Instagram earlier this year. In the emotive post, Tina shared a photo of her daughter Scarlett, who she shares with ex husband Ryan Thomas. Tina revealed her ‘dark days’ she endured when she was a new mum. In the post, she revealed what it was like during that time in the hope to help other new mums suffering with the disorder and to remove the stigma associated with it. The lengthy caption that accompanied the mum and daughter snap was a raw look at a time when she struggled in the grips of the depression that affects at least one in ten women, in the first year of motherhood.
Tina said: “I wish I could tell the scared fragile Tina of 10 years ago it’s going to be ok, you will get through this.
“I had very bad post natal depression even looking at the picture reminds me how bad it was and that makes me so sad.
“I wish I’d had the confidence to ask for help. Life felt pretty dark for a little while. Luckily the dark days eventually lifted.”
Tina revealed that she was “bloody grateful” to her husband, Adam Crofts, who she married last year and described him as an “incredible man”.
The NHS said: “Postnatal depression is a type of depression that many parents experience after having a baby.
“It’s a common problem, affecting more than one in every ten women within a year of giving birth. It can also affect fathers and partners.
“It’s important to seek help as soon as possible if you think you might be depressed, as your symptoms could last months or get worse and have a significant impact on you, your baby and your family.
“Many women feel a bit down, tearful or anxious in the first week after giving birth.
“This is often called the ‘baby blues’ and do not last more than two weeks after giving birth.
“If your symptoms last longer or start later, you could have postnatal depression.”
Signs that you or someone you know might be depressed include:
- A persistent feeling of sadness and low mood
- Lack of enjoyment and loss of interest in the wider world
- Lack of energy and feeling tired all the time
- Trouble sleeping at night and feeling sleepy during the day
- Difficulty bonding with your baby
- Withdrawing from contact with other people
- Problems concentrating and making decisions
“To get through things sure as hell makes you stronger.
“To some incredible highs, great opportunities and jobs have come along.
“I’ve met some wonderful people who are till in my life. All the while caring for, loving and watching my beautiful, kind little girl grow in front of my eyes.
“Feeling in a very wonderful place in 2019,” said Tina.
If you or anyone you know suspects you may have depression it’s important to speak with your GP or health visitor.
Many health visitors have been trained to recognise postnatal depression and have techniques that can help.
