| By Tash Hughes, Word Constructions
"If I hadn't had my new business to focus on, I would have gone crazy."
So says a woman with post-natal depression (PND) and her own business.
PND is a disease, not a frame of mind and not something that can be turned off.
"It is the broad spectrum of PND that amazes me," says 'Natalie Brown', a PND patient. "I expected someone with PND wouldn't cope at all, and I was coping okay, just numb and teary."
PND symptoms include anxiety, tearfulness, sleeping difficulties, appetite disturbances, irritability, guilt, paranoia, lack of focus, feeling unable to cope, withdrawal and low self esteem.
Why would women with PND consider running their own business?
Melissa Khalinsky of the Business Mums Network says, "It was something to do - rather than just sitting surfing the web."
When her son and PND were six months old, Khalinsky started her business and website helping other parents running a business.
"It started as a distraction, really. An online business also meant I didn't have to see anyone! I could stay at home and feel sorry for myself."
Clairvoyant Carmel Martin ran her business from home until she recently opened her Mystical Affair shop in Melbourne 's west. Martin has had PND twice.
"I suffered in silence the first time. It was lonely and scary, but it wasn't as well known back then," says Martin.
"The business was a godsend for my PND - it kept me busy and I could concentrate on more than the four walls. Keeping my mind active helped."
Martin has done readings for women who also have PND. "I encourage them to say it's ok to feel shit and cry. I give them permission to say 'I can't handle it, I need help'.
"I think women with PND can be very successful at running a business, although it won't help all of them, of course."
Many women with PND find conventional working hours too difficult to manage.
"I needed a business that I could have some control and flexibility over the scheduling, so I can shut down when I want to. I would have been much worse if I'd had to return to work," says Brown.
Having PND and young children doesn't stop women needing to earn money and a home business can be the answer.
Elly Taylor had undiagnosed PND with her first child. She is a counsellor and has recently started her website, Parent Support Online.
"Running a business could be very empowering, giving women a sense of control and the opportunity to manage a work/life balance. There are heaps of positives. I think it could be a disadvantage, however, if the PND went untreated or the business became overwhelming."
Khalinsky agrees that a business can be positive for women with PND. "I've found that a lot of PND is a lack of confidence. A business helped boost my confidence and find myself again. It also gave me something I could see - rather than the clothes and dishes piles that never got smaller, and so on.
"I underestimated the drop in self esteem when I became a mum," Brown says. "Planning my business has improved my self esteem by giving me a purpose and some achievements. It's something else to focus on and makes me more interesting to other people, too."
Khalinsky has met many women in business, including some with PND. In fact, her site has a section for women running a business and dealing with PND.
"We have done a survey and found that 54 per cent of business mums have had or have PND," Khalinsky says.
"Coming through PND takes a lot of strength and character.
"They are incredibly strong and inspiring women. They are also very giving and willing to help others," Khalinsky says with feeling.
"I'm proud to support them, and am humbled by the great things the PND business mums are doing.
"I think PND is one of the biggest challenges any business mum would face - it's really tough. It can also make you more determined than ever to succeed."
Tash Hughes is the owner of Word Constructions and is available to solve all your business writing problems! From letters to policies, newsletters to web content, Word Constructions writes all business documents to your style and satisfaction.
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