What BJ has said reflected my experience with PND. I was happy when I wasn't at home, got anxious when at home with the baby and even more so when things got hard, wanted desparately to sleep but couldn't, wanted to engage with the world but when I did got really anxious.

PND comes in many shapes so what might be PND for one person may not be what another women is experiencing. What works best for someone with PND is medication and cognitive therapy and it sounds like she is going to get that. It is important that both she and her husband to get some professional help to work through this.

I know for me if someone had come in and offered to make me a meal, clean up the house or do things like that I wouldn't have really appreciated it, as for me keeping busy doing the cleaning, the shopping, the cooking was a way of coping and avoiding what was really going on. But that may be the type of support she needs.

I suggest just being there for her to talk at (you don't need to reassure her, offer suggestions or tips on how you cope or do things - just be there for her to vent. Its important that you don't judge her - even unconciously). Being there as a distraction may also help.

It is great that you are being such a good friend to her. She is very lucky to have you.