Blog entry by Violet Cobbett
Postpartum Depression Symptoms
Many new mothers experience a brief feeling 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 your feelings.
In some cases a new mom may develop something more grave postpartum psychosis. This can cause hallucinations and a lack in sleep, and also thoughts of harming the mother or her baby. Hospitalization is sometimes required.
1. Feelings of hopelessness or despair
If you feel hopeless or worthless, you should seek immediate assistance from a mental health professional. Tell your doctor if your thoughts are of suicide or if you are thinking about hurting yourself or the baby. These are extremely dangerous signs and should not be ignored. They could also be a warning sign of other serious types of postpartum depression, such as postpartum psychosis.
The most popular method to treat PPD is with antidepressant medication. This helps to regulate your brain's chemical imbalances that affect your mood. Your doctor will suggest the best medication for you depending on your symptoms and whether or not you're breastfeeding. Talk therapy is a different standard treatment. Your doctor might suggest an individual therapy model such as cognitive behavioral symptoms of depression therapy or interpersonal therapy. Some support groups also aid women suffering from PPD.
Other methods include rest and avoiding unnecessary visitors. The act of sleeping while your baby is asleep can aid in getting enough sleep. Exercise can boost your mood. It can also be beneficial to establish a support system of family and friends who will assist you with household chores and childcare.
It's important to remember that being depressed does not mean you're an unloving mother or that you don't love your baby. It's not a mental disorder. It is a medical condition that requires treatment. Treatment can help you feel better and help you feel more motivated to take care of your baby. Untreated depression can also affect the relationship between a mother and her baby and lead to serious health problems for both the mom and baby. Women of color are at an increased risk of developing postpartum depression compared to white women. This could be due to the fact that they are less likely to seek help and receive a diagnosis.
2. Feelings of anger or rage
Rage or anger are not considered to be recognizing depressive symptoms depressive symptoms checklist symptoms of moderate depression [visit the up coming internet site] 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 factors including rapid changes in hormones, sleep deprivation, and anxieties about becoming a mother. If you're experiencing these emotions, it's important to talk with your doctor, who might conduct a depression test during your follow-up visit following the birth.
You can also seek help from a therapist or support group. It's also important to let others know how you're feeling so they can offer support. Offer help with meals cleaning, babysitting, or running errands. If someone offers to take care of your baby while you rest you can take advantage of it. Try to spend time with people who understand what you're feeling. This could include friends and family members, or other new mothers in mothers' groups.
If you're having thoughts of harming yourself or the baby, that's an emergency situation and you should call 911 or your healthcare provider now. This is an indication of postpartum psychiasis which is a rare, but serious medical condition that can happen with PPD.
Encourage your friend or family member who is suffering from these symptoms to seek medical attention. Invite them to their appointment to offer assistance. You can suggest they speak to their doctor or join an online support group for therapists. You could also offer other services to help, such as offering to take care of the baby or run around, or join in on playdates and outings with your children. You can also do things that you like and make time to eat well and get enough sleep.
3. Feelings of guilt or a sense of inadequacy
After childbirth Many new mothers experience feelings such as anxiety, sadness or fatigue. They may also feel depressed or lonely. These feelings are commonly referred to as the baby blues. They may last for a few days or weeks following the birth. If the symptoms persist for longer than two weeks and have been getting worse, or if they hinder your ability care for the baby or yourself, or when you think of harming yourself or your baby, then you may be suffering from postpartum depression. When you visit your postpartum doctor, your doctor will evaluate your health and recommend you to a mental health professional when needed. If you are having thoughts of suicide or are concerned about harming the baby, call 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline immediately.
It is important to remember that it is not your fault if you have PPD, irrespective of what caused it. Numerous factors can contribute to the development of perinatal depression, including hormone changes, lack of sleep and family and emotional issues. You are at greater risk of developing depression or anxiety if it occurred during pregnancy or previously or if there is a family history.
Some women are more susceptible to postpartum depression. This is especially the case if they experience more serious symptoms, such as feelings of despair and worthlessness or thoughts of harming themselves or their baby. These are indicators of a more serious condition known as postpartum psychosis and could be extremely dangerous for you and the baby. This is a psychiatric crisis that requires treatment at an emergency room. Call 911 or go straight to the nearest emergency department. It is essential to have a system of support in place. Find family and friends who can help with household chores and childcare and other errands.
4. Feelings of hopelessness or despair
If the woman's feelings of depression, despair, sadness, or worthlessness persist for more than two weeks, they may be a sign of something more serious than the baby blues. They could also be a sign of a more serious illness known as postpartum psychosis. This is a serious mental illness that can lead to delusions (thoughts or beliefs that aren't true) and hallucinations (seeing, hearing or smelling things that aren't there), the condition known as mania (a exuberant and elated mood that is out of touch with reality) and paranoia. Women who have these symptoms should seek medical attention immediately, either by calling a hotline or a doctor, or by visiting their doctor or going to the emergency room.
People with PPD often feel shame or guilt about the way they are feeling. They may also feel that their feelings are a reflection on their newborn baby or that they are bad mothers. They haven't done anything to cause their depression. It is caused by a combination of hormonal and environmental factors that are outside of their control.
PPD is treatable and typically is cured with the proper treatment. This could involve psychotherapy- or talk therapy with a psychologist, psychiatrist or mental health counselor -and sometimes, medication. Certain antidepressants are safe for women to take during breastfeeding. Women should also receive as much support and rest as they can during this time. This could include asking for help with housework, from a spouse or family members, or joining a mothers' group. They should also eat healthy exercise, get enough sleep, and see their doctor regularly to check-ups.
5. Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness
If a woman is experiencing feelings of despair or feeling worthless it is important to speak to her doctor right away. These symptoms can indicate postpartum depression and should be taken seriously. These symptoms are more severe than the blues of a newborn, and can prevent a new mother taking care of her or her child. If left untreated the depression may persist for a longer time and eventually develop into a major depression disorder. It can also affect the bond between mothers and their children and the relationship within the family.
It's not known what causes postpartum depression but genetics and other medical conditions can increase a mother's chances of developing it. Other risk factors are serious anxiety during pregnancy, medical problems both during and after birth, and lack support from family and friends. A woman's risk is increased if she has a history with depression.
Many women who suffer from postpartum depression improve with medicine and therapy. Medicine can help balance the chemicals in the brain that affect mood. Your doctor can suggest psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapy, or a mother's support group. The therapist can help the new mother to understand her feelings, and how to deal with them. Treatments for depression might also be recommended, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline (Zoloft(r)) and fluoxetine (Prozac(r)) and paroxetine (Paxil(r)). A newer drug, Brexanolone (Zulresso(r)) is administered via IV over two and a half days at the hospital and works quickly. It is safe to use 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 then it's time to consult a doctor. It's particularly important to consult a doctor when a mother is thinking of hurting herself or her baby and is a sign of more serious depression, also known as postpartum psychosis, a very rare condition.