An illness which can cause new mothers to lose interest in their babies, panic attacks and memory loss is the subject of a documentary filmed in Goodmayes.

Postnatal depression affects about one in 10 mothers – including singer Stacey Solomon.

The former King Solomon High School, Forest Road, Barkingside student, who found fame on The X Factor, was treated by Dr Amanda Jones, a psycotherapist at the Perinatal Service of Goodmayes Hospital, Barley Lane, who will also feature in the documentary.

Dr Jones said: “Postnatal depression can be lonely, distressing and frightening but mums should be reassured that it’s treatable.

“The mother can feel very ill and this needs rapid treatment in order to protect the baby’s development being affected by the mother’s mental health.”

Stacey had a son when she was 18, and after developing postnatal depression, sought treatment at the North East London NHS Foundation Trust hospital.

The illness is three times more common in teenagers than in older mums and usually develops within the first four to six weeks after childbirth.

Dr Jones said: “It’s important to remember that depression is often triggered by an experience of loss.”

She said that this was especially true for teenagers who have had a traumatic history.

Dr Jones added: “This may be a loss of confidence, loss of freedom, loss of the body they once knew, loss of their identity. They may feel unsupported by both society and family.”

The illness, which affects about 70,000 women, is the subject of a documentary focusing on teenage mums and their experiences. Dr Jones said she hoped the documentary would help break the stigma surrounding postnatal depression.

n Stacey Solomon: Depression, Teen Mums and Me will be shown on BBC3 on March 19 at 9pm.