Postpartum Depression Symptoms
The "baby blues" is a common occurrence 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.
In certain cases, a new mom may develop something more grave, postpartum psychosis. This can cause hallucinations, and a lack of sleep, and also thoughts of harming the baby or mother. Hospitalization is sometimes required.
1. Feelings of hopelessness or despair
If you are experiencing extreme feelings of despair or a sense of worthlessness It's an indication that you should to see an expert in mental health right away. Tell your doctor if your thoughts are about suicide or if you are thinking of hurting yourself or the baby. These are very dangerous symptoms and should not be ignored. These symptoms may also be an indication of more severe forms of postpartum depression disorders, like postpartum schizophrenia.
The most commonly used method to treat PPD is with antidepressant medication. This will help balance the brain's chemicals that affect mood. Your doctor will recommend the best medication for you according to your symptoms and whether or not you're nursing. Talk therapy is another standard treatment. Your doctor may recommend the use of a specific therapy method such as cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapy. Certain support groups assist women with PPD.
Other methods include rest and avoiding unnecessary visitors. It's important to get enough rest and sleeping while the baby sleeps can help. Exercise can also boost your mood. The idea of forming a network with family members and friends to help with childcare or housework can be very helpful.
It's important to remember that feeling depressed does not mean that you are not a good mom or you are not loving your child. It's a normal occurrence that requires treatment. And getting treatment can make you feel better and help you feel more motivated to care for your child. Untreated depression can also affect the relationship between a new mother and her baby and could lead to serious health issues for baby and mommy. Women of color are at an increased risk of developing postpartum depression compared with white women. This could be because they are less likely to seek treatment and get diagnosed.
2. Feelings of anger or anger
Feelings of anger or rage are not listed as symptoms of postpartum depression in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), however, they are commonplace in PPD. Anger can be triggered by a number of things, including rapid changes in hormone levels, sleep deprivation, and anxiety about becoming the new mom. If you're experiencing these feelings it's best to talk with your doctor. He or she might conduct a depression test during your postpartum follow-up.
You can also seek advice from a therapist or a support group. It's important to let people know how you're feeling, to allow them to offer help. Offer assistance with cooking, cleaning or babysitting. If someone offers to take care of the baby while you nap you can take advantage of it. Spend time with people who understand your needs, such as family and friends, or even new mothers in a mothers' group.
You should immediately call 911 if you have thoughts of harming your baby or yourself. It's a serious indication of postpartum psychosis, which is a rare but serious medical condition that is often associated with PPD.
If you know a friend or family member who is experiencing these feelings, help them to seek medical help. Invite them to their appointment and provide support. You can suggest they talk to their healthcare professional or join an therapist support group. You can also help by offering to babysit, run errands or joining in on playdates or outings. You can also engage in things you enjoy and take time to consume a balanced diet and get adequate sleep.
3. Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
Many new moms experience feelings such as sadness, anxiety or fatigue, loneliness, anger after having children. These are sometimes called the baby blues and can last for several days or even weeks after delivery. If signs and symptoms of bipolar depression persist for longer than two weeks and are worsening or if they affect your ability to care for the baby or yourself, or when you think of harming yourself or your baby, you could be suffering from postpartum depression. In your postpartum appointment your doctor will assess your health and refer you to a mental health specialist when needed. If you're having thoughts of suicide or harming the baby, contact 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline immediately.
It is important to remember that it is not your fault if you suffer from PPD, irrespective of what caused it. Many factors may be involved in the development of perinatal depression, such as hormonal changes, sleep deprivation and family and emotional issues. You are at an increased risk if depression or anxiety was present during pregnancy or prior to, and if there is an ancestry history of depression in your family.
Certain women are more prone to postpartum depression. This is particularly true if they have more serious symptoms, such as feelings of hopelessness and desperation or thoughts of harming themselves or their baby. These are signs of a more serious illness known as postpartum psychosis and could be extremely dangerous for both you and your baby. This is a psychiatric emergency that needs to be treated in an emergency room. Call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room. It is also important to have support systems in place. Seek out friends and family who are willing to assist with housework, childcare and running errands.
4. Feelings of hopelessness or despair
If women's feelings of despair, sadness, or worthlessness continue to persist for more than two weeks, they could be indicative of something more severe than the baby blues. They could also indicate an even more serious condition known as postpartum psychosis. This is an extremely serious mental illness that can cause delusions, hallucinations and paranoia. Women who experience these symptoms should seek medical help immediately, whether by calling a hotline, visiting their doctor, or going to the emergency room.
Women with PPD can often feel shame or guilt about how they feel. They might feel that their feelings are reflected on their babies or that they're horrible mothers. However, there is nothing they've done or not done that causes their depression. It is caused by a combination of hormones and environmental factors that are out of their control.
PPD can be treated and will usually disappear with the right treatment. This could include psychotherapy or talk therapy with a psychiatrist, psychologist or mental health counselor -and sometimes medication. Certain antidepressants are safe to take during breastfeeding. Women should also try to get as much sleep and support as they can during this period. You can seek help with household chores or family members or a partner, or even join a mothers' support group. They should also eat well, exercise and get enough sleep, and visit their healthcare provider regularly to check-ups.
5. Feelings of despair or hopelessness
It's important that a woman who feels lost or unworthy, immediately consults her doctor. These symptoms can indicate postpartum depression and should not be ignored. These symptoms can be more severe than the newborn blues and may prevent a new mother from taking care of her infant or herself. If left untreated, depression can become severe and even develop into a major depression. It can also affect the bond between mothers and their children as well as the bond within the family.
It's unclear what causes postpartum depression however, genetics and medical issues can increase a new mother's chances of developing it. Other risk factors include severe stress during pregnancy, medical problems during pregnancy and after birth, and lack of support from others. A woman's risk is increased when she has a history with depression.
Most women with postpartum depression improve by taking medication and therapy. Medicine helps balance the chemicals in the brain that influence mood. Your doctor can recommend psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy, or a support group for mothers. The therapist will help the new mother to understand her feelings, and how to manage them. Medications for depression may also be suggested, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline (Zoloft(r)) or fluoxetine (Prozac(r)) and paroxetine (Paxil(r)). Brexanolone is also known as Zulresso(r), is a newer drug that is administered via IV over a period of two and a half days in a hospital. It starts working immediately. It is safe to take when you are breastfeeding.
It's normal to experience sad or down periods following the birth of a child, but if these feelings do not go away or worsen, it's time to see a doctor. If the mother is having thoughts of harming her child or herself This could be a sign of a more serious form of depression known as postpartum psychsis. It is a rare disorder.