Postpartum Depression Symptoms
Many new mothers experience a brief moment of sadness and hopelessness after the birth of their child known as the "baby blues." It's crucial to speak to your doctor or health professional about these feelings.
In some cases a new mom may develop something more grave, postpartum psychosis. This could cause hallucinations, and a lack of sleep, along with thoughts of harming the mother or her baby. Hospitalization is sometimes required.
1. Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
If you feel a sense of despair or desperation It's an indication that you should to consult an expert in mental health immediately. Tell your doctor if your thoughts are of suicide, or if you are thinking about harming yourself or your baby. These are potentially dangerous signs that should not be ignored. These symptoms can also be an indication of more severe forms of postpartum depression disorders, including postpartum schizophrenia.
Antidepressant medications are the most common treatment for PPD. This helps balance the brain's chemical imbalances that affect your mood. Your doctor will determine the best treatment for you based upon your symptoms and if you are breastfeeding. Talk therapy is another standard treatment. Your doctor may suggest a specific model of therapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy or interpersonal therapy. Some support groups also help women with PPD.
The ability to rest and avoid unwanted visitors are also effective ways to prevent. It is essential to get enough rest and sleeping when your baby is asleep can be beneficial. Exercise can improve your mood. The idea of forming a network with family members and friends to help with childcare or housework can be very beneficial.
It's important to keep in mind that feeling depressed does not mean that you are an unloving mother or that you do not love your child. It's a normal occurrence that requires treatment. It is possible to feel better after treatment and be more energized to take care of your baby. Untreated depression may also affect the relationship between a pregnant mom and her baby and could lead to serious health issues for both baby and mommy. Women of color have higher risks of suffering from postpartum depression compared to white women. This could be because they are less likely to seek treatment and get diagnosed.
2. Feelings of anger or rage
Anger or rage are not listed as a sign of postpartum depression in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), but they are common in PPD. Anger can be triggered by a variety of causes, such as rapid changes in hormones, sleep deprivation and worries about becoming a new mother. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms you should speak with your doctor. They may perform a depression screen during your postpartum follow-up.
You can also seek help from a therapist or a support group. It's important to let people know what you're feeling to allow them to provide assistance. Request assistance with cooking, cleaning or babysitting. If someone offers to look after your baby while you rest, take them up on it. Spend time with people who understand your feelings like family members and friends, or even new mothers in a mothers group.
You should contact the emergency services immediately if are worried about harming yourself or your baby. It's a serious indication of postpartum psychosis, which is a rare, but serious medical condition that can be associated with PPD.
If you have a friend or family member who is experiencing these feelings, encourage them to seek medical assistance. Encourage them to talk to their doctor or join a support group for therapists and invite them the opportunity to accompany them to the appointment as a therapist. You could also help by offering to watch your child, running around, or participate in playdates or outings. You can also set aside time to do things you like, eat healthy, and get enough rest.
3. Feelings of guilt, shame or deprivation
Many new moms experience feelings like anxiety, sadness or fatigue, loneliness, irritability after childbirth. These feelings are commonly referred to as the baby blues and can last for a few weeks or days after delivery. But if these symptoms last longer than two weeks, and are getting worse, impede your ability to take care of the baby or yourself, or you are worried about harming yourself or the baby, you may be suffering from postpartum depression (PPD). Your doctor will assess your health during your postpartum appointment and can refer you to someone who is trained in mental health if needed. If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or are concerned about harming the baby, call 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline immediately.
It is important to remember that PPD is not the fault of you, regardless of the reason. Numerous factors can play a role in the development of perinatal depression such as hormonal changes, sleep deprivation and family and emotional issues. You are also at increased risk if you had anxiety or depression during pregnancy or in the past and have an ancestral history of depression.
Certain women have a harder time coping with postpartum depression, particularly if they are suffering from the more severe symptoms such as feelings of despair and desperation or thoughts of hurting their baby or themselves. These are signs of a more serious condition known as postpartum psychosis and could be extremely dangerous for you and the baby. This is a psychiatric emergency that must be treated at a hospital. Contact 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. www.iampsychiatry.com is essential to have a system of support in place. Seek out friends and family who are willing to assist with childcare, housework and errands.
4. Feelings of despair or a sense of insanity
If feelings of desperation or despair persist for more than two weeks this could indicate that something more serious is going on. They could also be a sign of a more serious condition known as postpartum psychosis. This is a serious mental illness that can trigger delusions (thoughts or beliefs that aren't true) as well as hallucinations (seeing or smelling things that are not there) as well as an euphoria (a exuberant and elated mood that seems out of touch with reality) and paranoia. Women suffering from these symptoms should seek medical attention, either by calling an emergency hotline, seeing their doctor, or going to the emergency room.
Women with PPD can often feel shame or guilt about how they feel. They may believe that their feelings reflect on their children or that they're horrible mothers. They haven't done anything to trigger their depression. It is caused by a mix of environmental and hormonal factors that are out of their control.
PPD can be treated and typically goes away with the right treatment. This could include talk therapy or psychotherapy with a therapist, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist or mental health counselor. Sometimes, medication is prescribed. Certain antidepressants are able to be taken while breastfeeding. Women should also try to get as much rest and support as possible during this time. You can ask for help with household chores, family members or a partner, or join a mothers' support group. It is also important to eat healthy and get plenty of rest and exercise, and consult their physician regularly for examinations and any other questions they may have.
5. Feelings of hopelessness or despair
It's important that women who feel lost or unworthy, immediately consults with her doctor. These signs could be a sign of postpartum depressive disorder and should not be ignored. These feelings may be more severe than the baby blues and could prevent a new mother from taking care of herself or her baby. If depression is not treated, it can become more severe and even develop into a major depression. It can also affect the bond between the mother and her child as well as the relationship within the family.
Postpartum depression isn't known to be caused by anything specific, but medical or genetic issues may increase the chances of a new mother experiencing it. Other risk factors include severe stress during pregnancy, medical problems during pregnancy as well as after birth and the lack of support from others. The risk for a woman increases when she has a past history with depression.
Most women with postpartum depression get better with medicine and therapy. Medicine helps to balance the brain's chemicals that affect mood. Your doctor may suggest psychotherapy, including cognitive behavior therapy and interpersonal therapy or a mother's support group. Therapists can assist a mother-to-be understand her feelings and deal with them in healthy ways. The use of medications for depression could be recommended, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline (Zoloft(r)), fluoxetine (Prozac(r)) and paroxetine (Paxil(r)). A newer medication, brexanolone (Zulresso(r)) is given by IV over two-and-a-half days in the hospital and works quickly. It is safe to take when breastfeeding.
It's normal for a mom to feel depressed or sad after the birth of her baby. If these feelings persist or worsen, it's important to consult an expert. It's particularly important to consult an expert when a mother is thinking of hurting her child or herself, which are signs of more serious depression called postpartum psychosis, a very rare condition.