17 Reasons Not To Ignore Postpartum Depression Symptoms

Postpartum Depression symptoms of moderate depression

Many new mothers experience a brief feeling of despair and sadness after the birth of their child known as the "baby blues." It is important to talk to your GP or health professional about your feelings.

In rare instances, a new mom may develop something more serious such as postpartum psychosis. It can trigger hallucinations, lack of sleep and thoughts of harming herself or her baby. Hospitalization is sometimes required.

1. Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness

If you feel helpless or worthless, you should seek immediate assistance from a mental health professional. It is also important to tell your doctor if you think about suicide or think of hurting yourself or your child. These are serious signs of depression worsening that should not be overlooked. These psychological signs of being depressed symptoms of depression (blog post from Technetbloggers) can also be an indication of more severe forms of postpartum depression disorders, such as postpartum schizophrenia.

The most commonly used method to treat PPD is with antidepressant medication. This will help balance the brain's chemicals that affect mood. Your doctor will suggest the best medication for you based on your symptoms and whether or not you're breastfeeding. Talk therapy is also a common treatment. Your doctor may suggest a specific model of therapy like cognitive behavior therapy or interpersonal therapy. Support groups can also assist women suffering from PPD.

Other methods include sleeping and avoiding visits from unnecessary people. It is important to sleep enough and sleeping when your baby is asleep can help. Exercise can boost your mood. It is also beneficial to build a network of family and friends that can help with household chores or childcare.

It's important to remember that being depressed doesn't mean that you're a bad mother or that you don't love your baby. It's not a mental illness. It's a medical condition that requires treatment. You'll feel better after treatment and feel more energetic to care for your child. Untreated depression may also affect the relationship between a new mother and her child and could result in serious health issues for both mom and baby. Women of color are at higher risks of suffering from postpartum depression than white women. This could be due to the fact that they are less likely to seek treatment and receive a diagnosis.

2. Feelings of anger or anger

Rage or anger are not considered to be symptoms 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 causes including rapid changes in hormones, sleep loss and anxieties about becoming a mother. If you are experiencing these emotions, it's important to talk to your doctor, who might conduct a depression test during your follow-up appointment after delivery.

You can also seek assistance from a therapist or a support group. It's also important to let people know how you're feeling so they can offer assistance. Ask for help with meals, babysitting, cleaning and running errands. If someone is willing to care for the baby while you sleep you can take advantage of it. Spend time with people who can understand your feelings like family members and friends, or even new mothers in a mothers group.

You must call 911 immediately if you are worried about harming yourself or your baby. This is a sign of postpartum psychiasis which is a rare but serious medical condition that can happen with PPD.

If you have a friend or family member who is experiencing these thoughts, encourage them to seek medical assistance. Offer to accompany them to their appointment and provide assistance. You can suggest that they speak to their healthcare provider, or join an online support group for therapists. You can also do other things to help, like offer to babysit or run for errands, or go on playdates and outings with your children. You can also engage in activities that you enjoy and consume a balanced diet and get adequate sleep.

3. Feelings of guilt or worthlessness

After childbirth the new moms often experience feelings such as depression, anxiety, or even fatigue. They might be lonely or angry. These are sometimes called the baby blues and can last for several days or even weeks following delivery. But if these symptoms last longer than two weeks, are getting worse, interfere with your ability to care for the baby or yourself, or you are worried about harming yourself or the baby, you could be suffering from postpartum depression (PPD). Your doctor will examine your health during your postpartum appointment and will refer you to a specialist who specializes in mental health if you require. If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or are concerned about harming the baby, call 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline immediately.

It is crucial to remember that it is not your fault if you suffer from PPD, irrespective of what caused it. Many factors could play a role in the development of perinatal depression such as hormonal changes, lack of sleep as well as emotional warning signs of depression and family issues. You are at an increased risk if depression or anxiety occurred during pregnancy or before, and if there is a family history.

Women who are pregnant may have more difficulty managing postpartum depression, particularly if they are suffering from the more severe symptoms like feelings of despair and hopelessness or fears of harming themselves or the baby. These signs of feeling down are indicative of a more severe condition called postpartum psychosis, which could be harmful for both you and your baby. This is a mental health crisis that requires treatment at an emergency room. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. It is crucial to have a system of support in place. Find family and friends who will help with housework and childcare and running errands.

4. Feelings of despair or a sense of insanity

If a woman's feelings of despair, sadness or despair persist for longer than two weeks, it could be a sign of something more severe than the baby blues. Postpartum psychosis can be a more severe condition that can cause these feelings. This is a serious mental illness which can trigger hallucinations, delusions and paranoia. Women who experience these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention, either by calling an emergency hotline, seeing their doctor, or visiting the emergency room.

Women with PPD may be embarrassed or feel guilty about their feelings. They may feel that their feelings are reflected on their children or that they're horrible mothers. However there is nothing they have done or not done that triggers their depression. It is caused by a combination of hormones and environmental factors that are outside of their control.

PPD is treatable and typically is cured with the proper treatment. This can include psychotherapy or talk therapy with a therapist like psychologist, psychiatrist or mental health counselor. Sometimes, medication may be prescribed. Certain antidepressants are able to be taken during breastfeeding. Women should also try to get as much sleep and support as they can during this period. This may include seeking help with chores, from a spouse or family members or joining a mothers' group. They should also eat healthy, exercise and get enough sleep, and visit their health care provider regularly to check-ups.

5. Feelings of hopelessness or a sense of worthlessness

It is crucial that a woman who feels in despair or unable to feel valued immediately seeks out a doctor. These are serious symptoms that could indicate postpartum depression and should never be overlooked. These symptoms can be more severe than baby blues and can keep mothers from taking care of her child or herself. If left untreated, the depression can get worse and turn into a major depressive disorder. It can also interfere with the bonding between the mother and the child and also the family's bond.

It's not certain what causes postpartum depression, but genetics and other medical conditions can increase a woman's chances of getting it. Other risk factors include serious stress during pregnancy, medical problems during pregnancy and after birth and a insufficient support from other women. If a woman has a history of depression, her risk is greater also.

The majority of women with postpartum depressive disorder recover by taking medication and therapy. Medicine helps to balance the chemical levels in the brain that affect mood. Your doctor might recommend psychotherapy such as cognitive behavior therapy and interpersonal therapy or a mother's support group. Therapists can assist a mother-to-be understand her feelings and handle them in healthy ways. SSRIs such as sertraline fluoxetine (Prozac (r)), and paroxetine may be prescribed to treat depression. Brexanolone, also referred to as Zulresso(r), is a brand new medication that is administered intravenously over two and a half days in hospital. It begins working as soon as it is administered. It is safe to use during breastfeeding.

It's normal for mothers to feel sad or depressed after the birth of her child. However, if the feelings persist or become worse, it's important to consult a doctor. If the mother is experiencing thoughts of harming her child or herself it could be an indication of a more serious type of depression, known as postpartum psychosis. It is a rare disorder.