Politician 'really struggled' with postnatal anxiety
After the birth of her first child, Claire Sugden says she "really struggled" with severe anxiety, constantly fearing that "something was going to happen" to her daughter.
The former justice minister has said she wants to speak publicly about her experience with postnatal anxiety as she does not want any other parent to experience what she did.
Alongside her husband Andy, the independent MLA for East Londonderry welcomed her daughter Indy in May 2023.
She explained that while she was prepared for the challenges of the newborn stage, her anxiety quickly escalated in the weeks following Indy's arrival, causing her to experience irrational fears and worries over everyday situations.