What is postpartum depression?
I suffered postpartum depression after giving birth to my baby (and only child) for many weeks. It took the combined efforts of our family doctor, and my sister and her husband to come out of it. Kindly enlighten women about this problem.
Catherine N.
Postpartum Depression (PPD), also called postnatal depression, “is a type of mood disorder associated with childbirth, which can affect both sexes. Symptoms may include extreme sadness, low energy, anxiety, crying episodes, irritability, and changes in sleeping or eating patterns. Onset is typically between one week and one month following childbirth.”
Many new moms experience the “postpartum baby blues” after childbirth, which commonly include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. Baby blues typically begin within the first two to three days after delivery, and may last for up to two weeks. But some new moms experience a more severe, long-lasting form of depression known as postpartum depression.
Symptoms?
Signs and symptoms of baby blues which last only a few days to a week or two after your baby is born may include: 1. Mood swings and Anxiety 2. Sadness and Irritability 3. Feeling overwhelmed and Crying 4. Reduced concentration and Appetite problems and Trouble sleeping
Postpartum depression may be mistaken for baby blues at first but the signs and symptoms are more intense and last longer.
Postpartum depression symptoms may include:
1. Depressed mood or severe mood swings
2. Excessive crying and Difficulty bonding with your baby
3. Withdrawing from family and friends and Loss of appetite or eating much more than usual
4. Inability to sleep (insomnia) or sleeping too much 5. Overwhelming fatigue or loss of energy 6. Reduced interest and pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
7. Intense irritability and anger and Fear that you’re not a good mother
8. Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt or inadequacy
9. Diminished ability to think clearly, concentrate or make decisions
10. Severe anxiety and panic attacks and thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
Causes?
There is no single cause of postpartum depression, but physical and emotional issues may play a role.
• Physical changes. After childbirth, a dramatic drop in hormones (estrogen and progesterone) in your body may contribute to postpartum depression.
• Emotional issues. When you’re sleep deprived and overwhelmed, you may have trouble handling even minor problems. You may be anxious about your ability to care for a newborn. You may feel less attractive, struggle with your sense of identity or feel that you’ve lost control over your life. Risk factors? Postpartum depression can develop after the birth of any child, not just the first. The risk increases if:
• You have a history of depression, either during pregnancy or at other times
• You had postpartum depression after a previous pregnancy
• You have family members who’ve had depression or other mood stability problems
• You’ve experienced stressful events during the past year, such as pregnancy complications, illness or job loss
• Your baby has health problems or other special needs • You have difficulty breast-feeding • You’re having problems in your relationship with your spouse or significant other • You have a weak support system • The pregnancy was unplanned or unwanted
Complications:
• For mothers. Untreated postpartum depression can last for months or longer, sometimes becoming a chronic depressive disorder.
• For fathers. Postpartum depression can have a ripple effect, causing emotional strain for everyone close to a new baby. When a new mother is depressed, the risk of depression in the baby’s father may also increase.
• For children. Children of mothers who have untreated postpartum depression are more likely to have emotional and behavioral problems, such as sleeping and eating difficulties.
How to prevent it?
• During pregnancy, your doctor can monitor you closely for signs and symptoms of depression.
• After your baby is born, your doctor may recommend an early postpartum checkup to screen for signs and symptoms of postpartum depression.