diyhealth.com

Dealing with postpartum depression

Anxious mom

You have given birth to your new bundle of joy and your family is celebrating! However, you feel void inside and don’t really feel elated. Why? What happened? You may not be able to pinpoint as to what is actually bothering you. Not to worry, you are not alone with such feelings. Around eighty percent of new moms suffer from postpartum depression. Baby blues/post natal/postpartum depression (PPD), majorly affects women after childbirth. It last for few months immediately after childbirth and in some cases continues for even a year. The depression can range from mild to severe. Postpartum depression is not a mental illness. For most of the women, symptoms of depression are quite mild and go away on their own.

Causes

The exact causes or reasons for post natal depression are still not known. However, there are few factors that contribute to the problem. A woman’s body undergoes ocean of changes immediately after childbirth. Firstly, a woman is still recovering from delivery pains and stitches in case of a c-section delivery. There is a huge drop in the levels of estrogen, thyroid and progesterone hormones. The imbalance in the hormone levels along with changes in the blood pressure make them sensitive and develop postpartum depression. Physical and emotional insecurities make it worse for a first time mom. Adjusting to new lifestyle such as lack of sleep, rest, stress, a sick baby, anxiety, lack of support from family members are some of the other factors that contribute to the depression. You can most likely to get depression if –

1. Your pregnancy was unplanned.

2. You are an alcoholic, drug addict or a smoker.

3. You have suffered from depression before the pregnancy.

4. You have several medical problems.

5. You or one of your family members has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Symptoms

Postpartum symptoms may seem mild in the beginning with mood swings, irritability, unexplained sadness, insomnia and spontaneous crying. However, these symptoms last for longer periods and become severe in postpartum depression. You may have post natal depression if you show one or all of the following signs- (this list is not exhaustive)

1. Frequent thoughts of death and trouble.

2. Guilt feeling and worthlessness.

3. Over possessiveness or negative feelings towards your baby.

4. Loss of interest in taking care of your baby.

5. Lack of feeling happy, feeling lethargic and depressed.

6. Physical discomfort such as chest pain, digestive problems, lack of appetite, dizziness, body ache and headache.

Diagnosis

Post natal depression is often confused with other illness since patients complain of physical discomfort. Degree of the symptoms should be carefully assessed before deciding the treatment for the problem. Check if the symptoms are mild or severe. Any woman can feel exhausted and feel irritated when she is frequently nursing and taking care of a two week old infant. Sleeplessness can cause lack of focus and decision making. It may not be normal if these symptoms continue even when the baby is four to six months old. There are no tests to confirm postpartum depression. You may have to fill in a questionnaire in your doctor’s office to check for signs and risks of postpartum depression. A psychiatrist or a psychologist is a good source for diagnosing the problem. You may have to undergo a screening test to assess your level of depression.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the level of depression, age and other individual factors of the patient. The healing approach includes therapy, counseling and medication. Some patients may require combination of all the types of treatment. People with chronic depression may be put on antidepressants and therapy. The course of treatment may be from four to nine months or even up to a year for chronic depression. It is important that you should start with the treatment as soon as the problem is diagnosed. Also, you should adhere to the complete course of treatment for full recovery and to prevent recurrence of depression. Patients with minor depression can get better with counseling, healthy diet, rest and good amount of exercise every day. At home, spend time socializing with your friends and loved ones. Go out for a walk and have as much as sunlight. Get support from your family and friends to help you in your household chores. Avoid self-medication to relieve of your symptoms. It is always advisable to visit your doctor for an exact advice.

Today's Top Articles:

Scroll to Top