Postpartum Depression Symptoms
The “baby blues” is a common feeling experienced by new mothers after the birth of their child. It's important that you speak to your health care provider or doctor to discuss these feelings.
(Image: https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/coe-2022.png)In some cases a new mom may develop something more grave postpartum psychosis. This could cause hallucinations and a lack in sleep, along with thoughts of harming the mother or her baby. Hospitalization is frequently required.
1. Feelings of hopelessness or a sense of worthlessness
If you feel helpless or unworthy, you should seek immediate assistance from a mental health professional. Talk to your doctor if your thoughts are of suicide, or you're thinking about hurting yourself or the baby. These are potentially dangerous signs and symptoms of depression that should not be ignored. They can also be a warning sign for other severe types of postpartum recognizing depression symptoms, like postpartum psychosis.
The most commonly used method to treat PPD is with antidepressant medication. This will balance the chemicals in your brain that affect mood. Your doctor will decide on the best treatment for you based upon your symptoms as well as whether you are breastfeeding. Talk therapy is another popular treatment. Your doctor may suggest an individual therapy model such as cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapy. Some support groups also aid women with PPD.
Relaxation and avoiding visitors are also effective ways to prevent. It is important to get enough sleep and a good night's sleep when the baby is sleeping can be beneficial. Exercise can also improve your mood. It can also be helpful to establish a support system of family and friends that can assist you with household chores and childcare.
It's important to remember that feeling depressed does not mean you're an unloving mother or that you don't love your baby. It's not a mental health symptoms of depression disorder. It's an illness that requires treatment. The treatment you receive can make you feel better and give you the strength to take care of your child. Untreated depression can affect the relationship between a pregnant mom and her baby and could result in serious health issues for both mom and baby. Women of ethnicity are more likely experience more severe postpartum depression than white women, perhaps because they're less likely seek treatment and get diagnosed.
2. Feelings of anger or rage
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) does not mention anger or rage as signs of PPD however, these feelings are quite common. Anger can be triggered by a variety of things, including rapid changes in hormone levels, sleep deprivation and worries about being the new mom. If you're experiencing these emotions you should speak with your physician. They might conduct a depression test during your postpartum follow-up.
You can also seek assistance from a therapist, or a support group. It is important to let other people know how you're feeling so they can provide support. Request help with meals cleaning, babysitting, or running around for errands. If someone offers to look after your baby while you rest, take them up on it. Spend time with people who understand your needs like family and friends, or new mothers in a mothers' group.
If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, that's an emergency situation and you should call 911 or your healthcare professional right now. This is a sign of postpartum psychiasis which is a rare but serious medical condition that can be associated with PPD.
Encourage a friend or family member who is suffering from these feelings to seek medical care. Offer to accompany them to their appointment to provide support. You can suggest they speak to their doctor or join a support group for therapists. You could also offer other services to assist, such as offering to babysit or run errands, or join in on outings and playdates with your children. You can also do things that you like and make time to eat well and get enough sleep.
3. Feelings of guilt, shame and a sense of inadequacy
Many new mothers experience feelings of sadness, anxiety or fatigue, loneliness, anger after having children. These feelings are commonly referred to as the baby blues. They may last for a few days or weeks following the birth. If the symptoms persist for longer than two weeks and have been getting worse, or if they hinder your ability to take care of the baby or yourself or if you have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, you may be suffering from postpartum depression. When you visit your postpartum doctor, your doctor will examine your health and recommend you to a mental health professional if needed. Contact 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline if you think of harming your baby or suicide.
It is important to remember that it is not your fault that you suffer from PPD, irrespective of the cause. Many factors could contribute to the development of perinatal depression including hormone changes, sleep deprivation as well as emotional and family issues. You may also be at a higher risk if you suffered from anxiety or depression during pregnancy or in the past and have an ancestral history of depression.
Certain women have a harder time dealing with postpartum depression, particularly if they are suffering from the more severe symptoms like feelings of despair and desperation or thoughts of hurting themselves or the baby. These symptoms can indicate a more severe disorder known as postpartum psychosis. It can be dangerous for both you and your baby. This is a psychiatric crisis that requires treatment at an emergency room. Call 911 or go straight to the nearest emergency department. It is also crucial to have support systems in place. Find family and friends who will help with housework and childcare and other errands.
4. Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness
If the feelings of worthlessness, sadness or hopelessness persist for longer than two weeks it could be a sign that something more serious is going on. Postpartum psychosis is a serious condition that can trigger these feelings. This is a serious mental illness that can lead to delusions (thoughts or beliefs that aren't true) and hallucinations (seeing or smelling things that are not there), mania (a exuberant and elated mood that is out of sync with reality) and paranoia. Women suffering from these symptoms should seek medical attention, whether by calling an emergency hotline, going to their doctor, or going to the emergency room.
Women with PPD may be embarrassed or feel guilty about their feelings. They may believe that their feelings are reflected on their babies or that they're not good mothers. But, there is nothing they've done or not done that causes their depression. It is caused by a combination environmental and hormonal factors that are out of their control.
PPD can be treated and typically goes away with the right treatment. This can include psychotherapy - or talk therapy with a psychologist, psychiatrist or mental health counselorand sometimes, medication. Certain antidepressants are safe for women to take during breastfeeding. Women should also seek as much rest and support as they can during this time. You can ask for help with household chores family members, a partner, or even join a mothers' support group. They should also ensure to eat well and get plenty of sleep and exercise, and consult their doctor regularly for checks and any concerns they have.
5. Feelings of despair or hopelessness
If a woman is having feelings of despair or feeling worthless, it's important to talk to her doctor immediately. These symptoms could indicate postpartum depressive disorder and should not go unnoticed. These symptoms can be more severe than the newborn blues and could prevent a new mother from taking care of her infant or herself. If they're left untreated the depression may persist for a longer time and eventually become a Major Depressive symptoms depressive disorder. It can also affect the bond between the mother and her child as well as the bond within the family.
It's not certain what causes postpartum depression, but genetics and other medical problems can increase a woman's chances of getting it. Other risk factors are serious stress during pregnancy, medical problems both during and after the birth and the lack of support from family and friends. If the woman has had a history of depression her risk is greater also.
(Image: https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/psychology-today-logo.png)The majority of women suffering from postpartum depression disorder recover by taking medication and therapy. Medicine can help balance the chemicals in the brain that affect mood. Your doctor may recommend psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy, as well as interpersonal therapy or mothers' support groups. The therapist can assist a mother-to-be learn to understand her feelings and handle them in healthy ways. Medications for depression may also be recommended, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as sertraline (Zoloft®), fluoxetine (Prozac®) and paroxetine (Paxil®). A newer drug, brexanolone (Zulresso®), is administered by IV over a period of two and a half days in the hospital and works quickly. It's safe to use during breastfeeding.
It's normal for mothers to feel depressed or sad after the birth of her baby. If these feelings persist or worsen, it's important to consult a doctor. It's especially important to see a doctor if the mother has thoughts of harming herself or her baby or her baby, which could be a sign of depression that is more severe, referred to as postpartum psychosis, which is a rare condition.