What to expect from this Checklist:

This Checklist will ask you about changes you have noticed in your partner or loved one: in their body and behaviour; in their thoughts and feelings; and in their relationships.

Get Started

We often find that partners, family members or friends are the first to notice that something isn’t right with their partner or loved one.

As you go through the Checklist, remember that these questions are about possible symptoms of perinatal anxiety and/or depression. None of them make your partner or loved one a bad parent, or indicate a problem with your relationship. They simply indicate that your partner or loved one may be experiencing a common, treatable illness. And we know that the earlier that they get help, the more likely they are to recover quickly.

This Checklist will not give a diagnosis for your partner or loved one. Only a health professional can provide this. But completing the Checklist will help you (and perhaps them) better understand what they are experiencing, and to get help if needed.

Note: Complete this Checklist if you are concerned about your partner or loved one’s mental health. There are also Checklists for you to explore your own emotional wellbeing. We know that caring for someone – especially if you are also caring for a new baby – can be stressful and tiring, and will often affect the carer’s own emotional wellbeing or mental health. Remember to check in with yourself regularly, and to seek help if you need it. Everyone deserves to have the support they need through their parenting journey.

PANDA collects only anonymous data from this Checklist that cannot be connected to you. After completing the Checklist, you have the option of securely sending your responses and contacts to our Helpline team, and requesting a call back. We can offer support to you and your partner or loved one.

1. My partner or loved one seems exhausted, even if they have had enough sleep

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

2. My partner or loved one can’t sleep at night, even when baby is asleep

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

3. My partner or loved one has little or no appetite

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

4. My partner or loved one craves/eats comfort food to help them feel better emotionally

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

5. My partner or loved one craves/uses alcohol or other drugs to help them feel better emotionally

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

6. My partner or loved one is doing things that are potentially unsafe for their health and wellbeing

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

7. My partner or loved one has physical symptoms that could be worry or anxiety e.g. jitters or “butterflies" in the stomach, nausea or tension headaches

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

8. My partner or loved one has had symptoms that could be a panic attack (racing heart, palpitations, shortness of breath, shaking, feeling ‘detached’ from their surroundings)

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

9. My partner or loved one is throwing themselves into work or study to avoid things at home

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

10. My partner or loved one is cleaning the house a lot more than usual

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

11. My partner or loved one needs to check things over and over e.g. when leaving the house.

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

Next Section

1. My partner or loved one seems very worried about the upcoming birth, or upset about feelings or experiences they had during the birth.

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

2. My partner or loved one has sudden changes in mood

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

3. My partner or loved one seems to find it hard to leave the house and/or to be with other people

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

4. My partner or loved one seems afraid to be alone with baby

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

5. My partner or loved one doesn’t seem to like being alone with or caring for baby

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

6. My partner or loved one seems more angry, irritable or intolerant with others

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

7. My partner or loved one seems worried, nervous, ‘on edge’ or panicky

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

8. My partner or loved one is often worried e.g. about baby’s health or safety

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

9. My partner or loved one seems to feel disconnected from and/or not really like baby

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

10. My partner or loved one seems to feel sad and low and/or often cries

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

11. My partner or loved one finds it hard to focus, concentrate, remember or make decisions

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

12. My partner or loved one has no confidence and feels they are a terrible parent

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

13. My partner or loved one is not enjoying simple things that used to give them joy

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

14. My partner or loved one has had thoughts of harming baby

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

15. My partner or loved one has expressed the urge to self-harm and/or has self-harmed

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

16. My partner or loved one has expressed thoughts about running away, dying or ending their life

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

Next Section

1. My partner or loved one seems upset with and/or is having conflict with me/their partner more than usual

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

2. My partner or loved one seems more withdrawn and distant from me/their partner

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

3. My partner or loved one has little or no interest in intimacy with me/their partner (note that many new parents experience a period of reduced libido)

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

4. My partner or loved one seems more withdrawn and distant from friends and family

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

5. My partner or loved one seems upset about their childhood, or with their parents or other family members

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

6. My partner or loved one seems to feel unsafe at home or in their relationship with their partner or ex-partner (this could be physical and/or emotional)

Never

Sometimes

Often

Constantly

Submit

How are you going?

Partners / Carers

Body and behaviour

Thoughts and feelings

Relationships

What to expect from this Checklist:

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Partners / Carers

Body and behaviour

Thoughts and feelings

Relationships

What to expect from this Checklist:

Wait a second ...

Stay up to date by subscribing to PANDA's e-newsletter. Containing personal stories, research, inspiration and more!

Stay up to date by subscribing to PANDA's e-newsletter.
Containing personal stories, research, inspiration and more!