Postpartum Depression Symptoms

Many new mothers experience a brief period of despair and sadness following the birth of their baby known as the "baby blues." It's important to talk to your GP or health visitor about these feelings.

In some cases the mother of a newborn may develop something even more grave: postpartum psychosis. This could cause hallucinations and a lack in sleep, along with thoughts of harming the mother or her baby. Sometimes, hospitalization is required.

1. Feelings of hopelessness or despair

If you feel depressed or depressed, you must seek immediate help from an expert in mental health. It is important to inform your doctor if you think about suicide or think of harming yourself or your baby. These are very serious early signs of mental health issues and should not be ignored. These symptoms can also be a sign of more severe forms of postpartum depression disorders, like postpartum schizophrenia.

Antidepressant medication is the most commonly used treatment for PPD. This will balance the chemicals in your brain that affect mood. Your doctor will recommend the medication that's best for you depending on your symptoms and if you're nursing. Talk therapy is another popular treatment. Your doctor might recommend specific therapy methods like cognitive behavior therapy or interpersonal therapy. Certain support groups assist women suffering from PPD.

Other treatments include rest and avoiding visitors who are not necessary. It is important to get enough rest, and sleeping when the baby is sleeping can be beneficial. Exercise can boost your mood. Finding a network of family members and friends to help with childcare and housework can be very beneficial.

It's important to remember that being depressed does not mean you're a bad mother or that you don't love your baby. It's a normal medical condition that needs treatment. The treatment you receive can make you feel better and help you feel more motivated to care for your child. Untreated depression can affect the relationship between a pregnant mom and her baby and could lead to serious health issues for both the mother and baby. Women of color are more likely to have a worse experience with postpartum depression than white women, perhaps due to the fact that they are less likely to seek treatment and get diagnosed.

2. Feelings of anger or rage

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) does not include anger or rage as signs of PPD, but these feelings are quite common. Anger can be caused by a variety of factors including rapid changes in hormones, sleep deprivation, and anxiety about becoming a mother. If you are experiencing these feelings, it's important to talk with your doctor, who may do a depression symptoms screening during your follow-up appointment after delivery.

You can also seek advice from a therapist, or a support group. It's also important to let others know how you're feeling, so they can offer assistance. Ask for help with cleaning, cooking or babysitting. If someone offers to take care of the baby while you nap you can take advantage of it. Make sure you spend time with people who can understand how you're feeling, such as family members and friends or fellow new moms in mothers' groups.

If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or the baby, it's an emergency and you should contact 911 or your healthcare provider right immediately. This is an indication of postpartum psychiasis, which is a rare but serious medical condition that is often associated with PPD.

If you know a friend or family member who is having these thoughts, encourage them to seek medical attention. Suggest that they talk to their healthcare provider or join a support group for therapists and offer the opportunity to accompany them to the appointment as a therapist. You can also assist by offering to watch your child, running errands or joining in on outings or playdates. You can also do things you enjoy and take time to consume a balanced diet and get adequate sleep.

3. Feelings of guilt, shame and a sense of inadequacy

After childbirth the new moms often are affected by feelings like anxiety, sadness or fatigue. They may also feel lonely or irritable. They're sometimes referred to as baby blues and may last for some days or weeks after delivery. However, if the symptoms last for more than two weeks, and are getting worse, interfere with your ability to care for your baby or yourself, or you are worried about hurting yourself or the baby, you may be suffering from postpartum depression (PPD). Your doctor will assess your condition during your postpartum appointment and can refer you to someone who specializes in mental health if needed. Call 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline if you are contemplating harming your baby or suicide.

It is important to remember that it is not your fault if you have PPD, no matter what caused it. Many factors may play a role in the development of perinatal young adult depression symptoms, including hormone changes, lack of sleep and family and emotional issues. You are at greater risk if depression or anxiety occurred during pregnancy or previously, and if there is a family history.

Certain women are more vulnerable to postpartum depression. This is especially the case if they experience more severe symptoms, like feelings of hopelessness and desperation or thoughts of harming their child or themselves. These are indicators of a more serious condition known as postpartum psychosis and could be extremely dangerous for both the baby and you. It is a psychiatric emergency and needs to be treated in a hospital. Contact 911 or go directly to the nearest emergency department. It is crucial to have a system of support in place. Seek out friends and family who are willing to help with housework, childcare and running errands.

4. Feelings of hopelessness or a sense of worthlessness

If the woman's feelings of depression, sadness, worthlessness or hopelessness persist for more than two weeks, they may be a sign of something more serious than the baby blues. They could also indicate a more serious illness known as postpartum psychosis. This is a very serious mental illness that can lead to delusions (thoughts or beliefs that are not true) as well as hallucinations (seeing, hearing or smelling things that are not present), the condition known as mania (a high and elated mood that is out of sync with reality) and paranoia. Women with these symptoms should seek medical attention, either by calling an emergency hotline, going to their doctor, or by going to the emergency room.

Women with PPD can often feel guilt or shame over how they feel. They might feel that their emotions reflect on their children or that they're not good mothers. They haven't done anything to cause their depression. It is caused by a mix of environmental and hormonal factors that are beyond their control.

PPD can be treated and can disappear if the treatment is done. This can include talk therapy or psychotherapy with a therapist such as psychologist, psychiatrist, or a mental health counselor. Sometimes medication is also prescribed. Some antidepressants are safe to take while breastfeeding. Women should also try to get as much rest and support as they can during this time. This could include asking for help with housework, a partner or family member or joining a mothers' group. They should also eat a balanced diet, exercise and get enough sleep, and visit their doctor regularly for checkups.

5. Feelings of hopelessness or despair

If a woman is experiencing feelings of despair or a sense of worthlessness it is important to speak with her doctor right away. These are serious signs of depression in men that could be a sign of postpartum depression and should not be overlooked. These symptoms may be more severe than baby blues and may prevent the new mom from taking care of herself or her baby. Untreated depression can become more severe and even develop into major depressive disorder. It can also interfere with the bonding between the mother and her child, as well as the family's bond.

It's not known what causes postpartum depression however, genetics and medical conditions can increase a mother's chances of developing it. Other risk factors include serious stress during the pregnancy, medical issues during pregnancy and post-birth, and absence of support from family and friends. A woman's risk increases if she has a history with depression.

Many women who suffer from postpartum depression get better through therapy and medication. Medicine helps to balance the brain's chemicals that affect mood. Your doctor may recommend psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapy or a support group for mothers. The therapist can assist a mother-to-be recognize her feelings and deal with them in healthy ways. The use of medications for depression symptoms in children could be recommended, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as sertraline (Zoloft(r)), the fluoxetine (Prozac(r)) and paroxetine (Paxil(r)). A newer drug, brexanolone (Zulresso(r)), is given by IV over two and a half days at the hospital and begins to work quickly. It is safe to take during breastfeeding.

It's normal to have some sadness or depression after the birth of a baby however, if the feelings don't disappear or become worse and more severe, it's time to visit an expert. If the mother is experiencing thoughts of harming her child or herself, this could be a sign of a more severe form of depression called postpartum psychsis. It is a rare condition.