Postpartum Depression Symptoms Explained In Less Than 140 Characters
Postpartum Depression Symptoms
Many new mothers experience a brief feeling of despair and sadness following the birth of their baby which is known as the "baby blues." It's crucial to talk to your doctor or health professional about these feelings.
In rare instances, a new mother may develop something more serious such as postpartum psychosis. This can lead to hallucinations and a lack in sleep, and also thoughts of harming the mother or her baby. Hospitalization is sometimes required.
1. Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness
If you are experiencing extreme feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, it's an indication that you need to visit an expert in mental health immediately. Talk to your doctor if your thoughts are about suicide or you're thinking about hurting yourself or the baby. These are very dangerous symptoms and should not be ignored. These symptoms could be an indication of more severe postpartum depressive disorders, like postpartum schizophrenia.
Antidepressant medications are the most popular treatment for PPD. This will help balance the chemicals in your brain that affect mood. Your doctor will recommend the best medication for you according to your symptoms and whether or not you're breastfeeding. Talk therapy is also a common treatment. Your doctor might suggest an individual therapy model like cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapy. Some support groups aid women with PPD.
Relaxation and avoiding visitors are also effective treatments. Sleeping when your baby is asleep can aid in getting enough sleep. Exercise can also improve your mood. It is also beneficial to establish a support system of family and friends that can assist you with household chores and childcare.
It's important to keep in mind that feeling depressed does not mean that you are a bad mom or that you do not love your child. It's a normal occurrence that needs treatment. It is possible to feel better after treatment and have more energy to take care of your child. Untreated depression can also affect the relationship between a new mom and her baby and lead to serious health problems for both the baby and mom. Women of race are more likely to have a worse experience with postpartum depression than white women, perhaps because they're less likely seek treatment and be diagnosed.
2. Feelings anger or rage
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) does not mention anger or rage as symptoms of PPD however, these feelings are common. Anger can be triggered by a number of things, including rapid changes in hormone levels, sleep deprivation, and anxieties about being the new mom. If you're experiencing these feelings it's crucial to speak to your doctor, who may conduct a depression assessment during your follow-up visit following delivery.
bipolar depression symptoms in females I Am Psychiatry can also get help from a therapist or a support group. It's crucial to let other people know how you feel so they can provide assistance. Offer assistance with eating cleaning, babysitting, or running around for errands. If someone is willing to care for your baby while you rest, take them up on it. Spend time with others who understand how you're feeling, like family members or friends or fellow new mothers in a mothers' group.
If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or the baby, that's an emergency and you should call 911 or your healthcare provider right now. This is a sign of postpartum psychiasis, which is a rare but serious medical condition that can happen with PPD.
Encourage a family member or friend who is suffering from these feelings to seek medical care. You can accompany them to their appointment to provide support. You can suggest that they talk to their healthcare provider, or join an online support group for therapists. You can also do other things to help, like offer to take care of the baby or run errands, or join in on playdates and outings with your children. You can also participate in activities that you enjoy and consume a balanced diet and get adequate sleep.
3. Feelings of guilt, shame or deprivation
After the birth, many new mothers are affected by feelings like depression, anxiety, or even fatigue. They may be lonely or angry. These feelings are often called the baby blues. They can last for several weeks or days after delivery. However, if the symptoms last more than two weeks, are becoming worse, interfere with your ability to take care of the baby or yourself, or include thoughts of hurting yourself or the baby, you could be suffering from postpartum depression (PPD). Your doctor will examine your condition during your postpartum visit and can refer you to someone who is trained in mental health if you require. Call 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline if you have thoughts of harming your baby or suicide.
Remember that PPD isn't the fault of you, regardless of the cause. Numerous factors can be involved in the development of perinatal depression including hormone changes, sleep issues and family and emotional issues. You are at an increased risk of developing depression or anxiety if it was present during pregnancy or prior to, and if there is a family history.
Certain women are more prone to postpartum depression. This is especially when they exhibit more severe symptoms, such as feelings of hopelessness and desperation or thoughts about harming their child or themselves. These symptoms can indicate an even more serious condition known as postpartum psychosis. It could be harmful for both you and your baby. This is a psychiatric emergency that needs to be treated in an emergency room. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. It is important to have a system of support in place. Find family members and friends who will help with housework and childcare and other errands.
4. Feelings of hopelessness or a sense of worthlessness
If women's feelings of despair, sadness, or worthlessness continue to persist for more than two weeks, they could be indicative of something more serious than the baby blues. Postpartum psychosis is a more serious condition that can trigger these feelings. This is a serious mental illness that can cause delusions, hallucinations and paranoia. Women with these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention, either by calling an emergency hotline, seeing their doctor, or by going to the emergency room.
Women suffering from PPD might feel embarrassed or ashamed of their feelings. They may also feel that their emotions are reflective of their newborn babies or that they are bad mothers. They haven't 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 can disappear if the treatment is done. 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 seek as much support and rest as they can during this time. You can seek assistance with household chores or family members or your partner, or join a mothers support group. It is also important that they eat a healthy diet and get plenty of sleep and exercise, and consult their doctor regularly for checkups and any questions they may have.
5. Feelings of hopelessness or a sense of worthlessness
If a woman is experiencing feelings of despair or feeling worthless It is crucial to talk to her doctor immediately. These symptoms can indicate postpartum depressive disorder and should not go unnoticed. These feelings may be more severe than the baby blues and can keep a new mother from taking care of her infant or herself. If left untreated, depression can become severe and even develop into a major depressive disorder. It can also affect the bond between the mother and the child and also the family's bond.
Postpartum depression isn't known to be caused by any specific cause however, medical or genetic issues may increase the likelihood of a new mother getting it. Other risk factors are serious stress during pregnancy, medical problems both during and after birth, and lack support from family and friends. If the woman has an history of depression, her risk is greater also.
The majority of women suffering from postpartum depression disorder improve with medication and therapy. Medicine helps to balance the brain's chemicals that influence mood. Your doctor can recommend psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapy or a mother's support group. The therapist can assist a new mom to recognize her feelings and deal with these feelings in a healthy way. Treatments for depression might also be recommended, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline (Zoloft(r)) and the fluoxetine (Prozac(r)) and paroxetine (Paxil(r)). Brexanolone is also known as Zulresso(r) is a newer medication that is administered by IV over a period of two and a half days in a hospital. It begins working as soon as it is administered. It is safe to take when breastfeeding.
It's normal for a mom to feel sad or depressed after the birth of her child. If these feelings persist or get worse, it's important to consult the doctor. It's particularly important to consult a doctor if the mother has thoughts of harming herself or her baby or her baby, which could be a sign of more serious depression, also known as postpartum psychosis. It's a rare condition.