I have postpartum depression
I will soon put to bed but even during my pregnancy because of repeated problems with my husband and lack of support from him, I became emotionally disturbed and I fear postpartum depression. Please provide useful information and suggestions for me? Dear Debby, thanks for your question; the birth of a baby can trigger many […]
I will soon put to bed but even during my pregnancy because of repeated problems with my husband and lack of support from him, I became emotionally disturbed and I fear postpartum depression. Please provide useful information and suggestions for me?
Dear Debby, thanks for your question; the birth of a baby can trigger many emotions, from excitement and joy to fear and anxiety. It can also lead to depression. Many new moms experience the “baby blues” after childbirth, which commonly include mood swings and crying spells that fade quickly. But some new moms experience a more severe, long-lasting form of depression known as postpartum depression. Rarely, an extreme form of postpartum depression known as postpartum psychosis develops after childbirth. Postpartum depression isn’t a character flaw or a weakness. Sometimes it’s simply a complication of giving birth.
Some risk factors are:
1. History of depression, either during pregnancy or at other times.
2. Experienced stressful events during the past year, such as pregnancy complications, illness or job loss.
3. Problems in a relationship which you are experiencing as you revealed.
4. Weak support system.
5. Financial problems.
6. Pregnancy is unplanned or unwanted.
Some common causes:
There’s no single cause of postpartum depression. Physical, emotional and lifestyle factors may all play a role.
1. Physical changes. After childbirth, a dramatic drop in hormones (estrogen and progesterone) in the body may contribute to postpartum depression.
2. Emotional factors. When one is deprive of sleep and overwhelmed, one may have trouble handling even minor problems. One may be anxious about her ability to care for a newborn.
3. Lifestyle influences. Many lifestyle factors can lead to postpartum depression, including a demanding baby or older siblings, difficulty breast-feeding, financial problems, and lack of support from your partner as you are anticipating.
Signs and symptoms of depression after childbirth vary, depending on the type of depression.
Signs and symptoms of the baby blues — which last only a few days to a week or two — may include:mood swings, anxiety, sadness, irritability, crying, decreased concentration and trouble sleeping
Postpartum depression may appear to be the baby blues at first — but the signs and symptoms are more intense and longer lasting, eventually interfering with the ability to care for the baby and handling other daily tasks.
Postpartum depression symptoms may include:
1. Loss of appetite
2. Insomnia (difficulty in having good sleep)
3. Intense irritability and anger
4. Overwhelming fatigue
5. Loss of interest in sex
6. Lack of joy in life
7. Feelings of shame, guilt or inadequacy
8. Severe mood swings
9. Difficulty bonding with your baby
10. Withdrawal from family and friends
11. Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
Postpartum depression is often treated with counselling and medication
1. Counselling. It may help you to talk about your concerns with a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional. Through counselling, you can find better ways to cope with these new feelings, solve problems and set realistic goals. Sometimes family or relationship therapy also helps.
2. Antidepressants drugs could help but need to be prescribed.
3. Hormone therapy.
Some coping mechanisms
1. Make healthy lifestyle choices which include physical activity and eat healthy foods, and avoid alcohol.
2. Reduce pressure and scale back too much work.
3. Avoid isolation. Talk with your husband, family and friends about how you are feeling.
4. Also talk to other expectant mothers about their experiences.