Postpartum Depression Symptoms
The "baby blues" is a normal feeling experienced by new mothers after the birth of their child. It's important that you speak to your health professional or doctor to discuss your feelings.
In some cases a new mother may develop something more grave postpartum psychosis. This could cause hallucinations, and a lack of sleep, and also thoughts of harming the mother or baby. Hospitalization is sometimes required.
1. Feelings of despair or hopelessness
If you feel depressed or depressed, you must seek immediate assistance from an expert in mental health. It is important to inform your doctor if you think about suicide or think of hurting yourself or your baby. These are very serious signs and should not be overlooked. They could also be a sign of other serious types of postpartum depression, such as postpartum psychosis.
The most common way to treat PPD is with antidepressant medication. This will balance your brain's chemicals that affect your mood. Your doctor will suggest the medication that's best for you depending on your symptoms and if you're breastfeeding. Talk therapy is also a common treatment. Your doctor may recommend an individual therapy model like cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapy. Some support groups help women with PPD.
Other methods include sleeping and avoiding visits from unnecessary people. It's important to get enough sleep, and sleeping when the baby is sleeping can help. Exercise can also boost your mood. It is also beneficial to find a support network of family and friends that can help with household chores or childcare.
It's important to remember that being depressed does not mean you're a bad mother or that you don't love your child. It's not a mental disorder. It's an illness that requires treatment. You'll feel better after treatment and feel more energetic to care for your child. Untreated depression can also impact a new mother's relationship with her baby and lead to serious health issues for the baby and mom. Women of color have higher risks of suffering from postpartum depression compared with white women. This could be because they are less likely to seek help and get diagnosed.
2. Feelings anger or rage
Rage or anger are not listed as a sign of postpartum depression in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), however, they are a common occurrence during PPD. Anger can be triggered by a variety of causes like rapid changes in hormones, sleep loss and worries about becoming a new mother. If you're experiencing these feelings, it's best to speak with your physician. He or she might conduct a depression test during your postpartum follow-up.
You can also get help from a therapist, or a support group. It's important to let others know how you're feeling to allow them to provide assistance. Request assistance with eating or babysitting, as well as cleaning and running around for errands. You can take advantage of anyone who will watch your child while you sleep. Make sure you spend time with other people who can understand how you're feeling. This could include family members or friends, or other new mothers in the mothers' group.
If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, that's an emergency and you should contact 911 or your healthcare provider right away. This is a sign of postpartum psychiasis, which is a rare but serious medical condition that can be associated with PPD.
Encourage depression symptoms bipolar or friend who is suffering from these symptoms to seek medical attention. Encourage them to talk to their healthcare professional or join a therapist support group and offer to go with them to the appointment as a support worker. You can also assist by offering to take care of the baby, running errands or joining in on playdates or outings. You can also set aside time to do things that you enjoy, eat well, and get enough rest.
3. Feelings of guilt or a sense of inadequacy
Many new mothers experience feelings of depression, anxiety and fatigue, loneliness, or irritability after childbirth. These feelings are commonly referred to as the baby blues, and can last for several days or weeks following the birth. If the symptoms persist for more than two weeks and are worsening or if they interfere with your ability to care for your baby or yourself, or if you have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, then you could be suffering from postpartum depression. Your doctor will assess your health during your postpartum visit and can refer you to someone who specializes in mental health, if required. Call 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline if you have thoughts of harming your baby or suicide.
It is important to remember that PPD is not your fault, regardless of the cause. Perinatal depression can be caused by a variety of causes, including hormonal changes, lack of rest and emotional or familial issues. You are at an increased risk of developing depression or anxiety if it occurred during pregnancy or before, and if there is an ancestral history.
Some women have more difficulty managing postpartum depression, particularly when they experience the more severe symptoms such as feelings of despair and desperation or thoughts of harming their baby or themselves. These symptoms are indicative of a more severe disorder known as postpartum psychosis, which can be risky for you and your baby. This is a psychiatric crisis that must be treated at a hospital. Contact 911 or go directly to the nearest emergency department. It is also important to have support systems in place. Find friends and family members who can help with household chores and childcare, as well as errands.
4. Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness
If the woman's feelings of depression, despair, sadness or despair persist for longer than two weeks, it could be indicative of something more severe than the baby blues. They could also be a sign of an even more serious condition known as postpartum psychosis. This is a serious mental illness that can cause delusions (thoughts or beliefs that aren't real), hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not present) as well as mania (a exuberant and elated mood that is out of sync with reality) and paranoia. Women suffering from these symptoms should seek medical help immediately, whether that be by calling a hotline, or visiting their doctor, or going to the emergency room.
Women with PPD may feel ashamed or guilty about their feelings. They may also feel that their feelings are somehow an expression of their newborn baby or that they are terrible mothers. They have not done anything to trigger their depression. It is caused by a combination of hormonal and environmental factors that are outside 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. Some antidepressants are safe to take during breastfeeding. Women should also try to get as much rest and support as they can during this period. You can ask for help with household chores family members, your partner, or join a mothers support group. They should also eat healthy exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and see their doctor regularly for checkups.
5. Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
If a woman is having feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness It is crucial to talk with her doctor right away. These symptoms could indicate postpartum depression, and should not be ignored. These feelings may be more severe than the baby blues and may prevent a new mother from taking care of her child or herself. If left untreated, depression can become serious and may even progress into a major depressive disorder. It could also hinder the bonding between a mother and child, as well as the family's bond.
It's not known what causes postpartum depression but genetics and other medical conditions can increase a new mother's chances of developing it. Other risk factors include severe stress during the pregnancy, medical issues during pregnancy as well as after birth and a lack of support from others. If the woman has an history of depression, her risk is greater as well.
Most women with postpartum depression recover with medicine and therapy. Medicine helps balance the chemicals in the brain that affect mood. Your doctor can suggest psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, as well as interpersonal therapy or a mother's support group. The therapist can help the new mother comprehend her feelings, and how to manage them. SSRIs like sertraline, fluoxetine (Prozac (r)), and paroxetine are all prescribed to treat depression. A newer medication, Brexanolone (Zulresso(r)) is administered via IV over two-and-a-half days in the hospital and works quickly. It is safe to take when breastfeeding.
It's normal to have some down or sad times after the birth of a baby, but if these feelings don't go away or get worse and more severe, it's time to visit an expert. It's particularly important to consult an expert if the mother has thoughts of hurting herself or her baby or her baby, which could be a sign of more serious depression called postpartum psychosis. It's a rare condition.