Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a serious mental condition in which a mother develops severe feelings of sadness and anxiety after giving birth. PPD is an intense feeling of sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that persists for a long time.
You may have postpartum depression if your “baby blues” (feeling stressed, sad, anxious, lonely, tired, or weepy) persist or if you feel depressed, hopeless, or empty for more than two weeks.
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression might significantly develop from 2 weeks to 6 months after delivery. That can last for weeks or even months unless treated appropriately. According to statistics, one out of every seven women in the United States suffers from PPD.
After giving birth, up to 75% of people experience baby blues. Postpartum depression affects up to 15% of these women. Postpartum psychosis affects one in every 1,000 women.
Cleveland Clinic
Unlike ‘Baby Blues‘, PPD doesnot go away by its ownself. PPD can create difficulty for the mother to take care of the baby and halts the decision making process. PPD may impact any woman, first-time moms and mothers with one or more children, married and unmarried women, and women of any income, age, race or ethnicity, culture, or education.
1. Difference – Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression (PPD)
The following table may be helpful in understanding the difference in Baby Blue and Postpartum Depression;
| Baby Blues | Postpartum Depression |
|---|---|
| Feeling restless or anxious | Feeling overpowering guilt, sadness |
| Being impatient | Being afraid of staying alone |
| Crying for no reason | Crying, anxiety or worrying alot |
| Feeling like ‘I am not myself today’ | Feeling hopeless or ‘it’s not good enough |
| Hard to concentrate | No energy or hard to focus |
| Mood swings | Weight loss / gain, appetite change |
| Sadness | Scary thoughts about baby and self |
| Starts within few days after child birth / delivery | Starts within 1-3 weeks after delivery upto 1 year |
| Goes away on its’ own | Need treatment for cure |
2. Diagnosis and Symptoms of PPD
Seeing your doctor is the most effective approach to identify and treat PPD. They can assess your symptoms and recommend the best treatment option for you. Psychotherapy, antidepressants, or a mix of the two may be beneficial.
The symptoms of postpartum depression can vary. They may include feelings of sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, worthlessness, and guilt. Some women may also experience changes in appetite, sleep patterns, and energy levels. The following are the detailed symptoms of Postpartum Depression (PPD);
- A loss in pleasure
- Eating irregularities (eating too much or too less)
- Anxiety with few panic attacks
- Horrible thoughts and dreadful dreams
- Excessive mood swings
- Crying for longer times, Sadness
- Feeling of not being a good mother
- Unable to sleep
- Feeling of misery
- Lost interest in relationship
- Facing memory problems
- Thoughts of hurting baby
If the above mentioned symptoms exists and persist for more than a week, you should seek medical attention. Recovery is achievable with correct therapy, whether your symptoms are slight or severe.
3. Potential Causes of Postpartum Depression (PPD)
Every reaction has a cause behind them. The exact cause of postpartum depression is unknown. However, it is believed to be related to the hormonal and physical changes that occur after childbirth. Additionally, postpartum depression may be more likely to occur in women who have a history of depression or anxiety.
The following may be the potential causes of the Postpartum Depression (PPD);
- Hormonal imbalance
- Suppressed depression or anxiety
- Family history of mental illness
- Being stressed out for caring the new born baby
- Having a special child (premature child, child with deformities and illness)
- Timings of motherhood (first motherhood, too early motherhood or too late motherhood)
- Emotionally stressed out by death of closed ones in recent times
- Troubled in financial problems
- Lacking social support
4. Treatment of Postpartum Depression
You have read the signs and symptoms of PPD and the causes behind it; now we are going to mention 7 proven ways to recover from Postpartum Depression (PPD).
1. Hormone Therapy – PPD
Estradiol treatment has a preventative effect on PPD. Estrogen has many positive effects on the brain, including encouragement of neuronal growth and survival, augmentation of neurotransmitter activity, reduction of oxidative stress, and modification of the hypophyseal-pituitary axis.
However, few researches states that use of estrogen for the treatment of PPD still remain experimental. The research titled “The Role of Reproductive Hormones in Postpartum Depression” showed that estradiol treatment can be helpful for PPD.
2. Electroconvulsive Therapy – PPD
Electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) is a process in which tiny electric currents are carefully used to induce a nerve impulse in the brain. Electroconvulsive therapy alters brain chemistry to overcome the signs and symptoms of several mental health problems.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective and safe therapeutic option for patients to recover from Postpartum depression.
3. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – PPD
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a kind of psychotherapy that changes undesirable behavioral traits in a patient or cures mood swings like depression.
CBT alters your thinking and behavior to assist you in controlling unpleasant thoughts. Common forms of CBT involve goal-setting and identifying unhelpful ideas and behaviors with the assistance of a therapist so that you can start to change your behavior and thinking. This is one of the proven ways to recover from PPD.
4. Anti-Depressants – PPD
These medications are utilized to treat a variety of types of depression, especially PPD. Some have negative side effects, such as weight gain or dry mouth. Additionally, some medications are unsafe to take while breastfeeding.
Research on Antidepressant Use During Breastfeeding suggest that women who are taking anti-depressants should not discontinue the breastfeeding as antidepressant exposure in infants through breast milk is typically low to very low.
Antidepressants remain the primary option for women with PPD because they are safe, well tolerated, and very effective. Estrogen replacement therapy is usually reserved for situations when there is evidence of estrogen insufficiency or when the depression appears to be particularly resistant to treatment.
5. Joining Support Groups – PPD
People with similar problems come together in a support group to talk about what’s bothering them. They can support, encourage, and console other people by sharing their experiences and getting similar support in return.
These groups encourage self-care, increase a sense of identity and normalize feelings. You should join such groups if you are dealing with PPD.
6. Exercise – PPD
Exercise is very useful in combating PPD. It helps to recover fast with the following benefits:
- Helping your muscles regain their strength and tone up.
- Makes you feel less worn out by increasing your energy and
- Enhancing your sense of wellness.
- Encourages weight loss and cardiovascular fitness.
7. Massage and Acupuncture – PPD
Massage can raise self-esteem and confidence while enhancing mood and relaxation. It can be a helpful component of treatment whether you struggle with depression or anxiety or are simply stressed out beyond measure. You can concentrate on your mind-body interaction and feel relieved and empowered by it.
Acupuncture involves the insertion and manipulation of needles into various spots on the body to treat pathological processes and reduce pain. This is also helpful in PPD treatment.
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Conclusion
As the baby blues start to fade, some new moms can find themselves feeling more than just the occasional down day. For some, the baby blues turn into something more serious, called postpartum depression.
Postpartum depression is a real and serious illness that affects up to 1 in 7 women after they give birth. It’s important to understand that postpartum depression is different from the baby blues. The baby blues are temporary and usually go away on their own within a couple of weeks. Postpartum depression is more serious and can last for months, or even years, if left untreated.
If you’re struggling with postpartum depression, know that you’re not alone and there is help available. Talk to your doctor or a mental health professional about your symptoms and treatment options.
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