Postpartum Depression Symptoms

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

In some cases a new mom may develop something more grave, postpartum psychosis. This can lead to hallucinations, and a lack of sleep, and also thoughts of harming the baby or mother. Hospitalization is often needed.

1. Feelings of despair or a sense of insanity

If you are experiencing extreme feelings of despair or a sense of worthlessness It's a sign that you need to visit a mental health professional immediately. Tell your doctor if your thoughts are of suicide, or you're thinking about harming yourself or your baby. These are serious warning signs of depression that should not be overlooked. They could also be a sign of other severe types of postpartum depression, like postpartum psychosis.

Antidepressant medication is the most popular treatment for PPD. This will help balance the brain's chemicals that affect mood. Your doctor will determine the most effective medication for you based upon your symptoms and whether you are breastfeeding. Talk therapy is another standard treatment. Your doctor might recommend specific therapy methods like cognitive behavior therapy or interpersonal therapy. Certain support groups assist women suffering from PPD.

Relaxation and avoiding visitors are also effective methods of preventing. It's important to get enough sleep, and sleeping when your baby is asleep can help. Exercise can also improve your mood. It can also be helpful to find a support network of family and friends who will help with household chores or childcare.

It is important to keep in mind that feeling depressed doesn't necessarily mean that you're an unloving mother or that you are not loving your child. It's not a mental illness. It is medical issue that requires treatment. You can feel better after treatment and have more energy to care for your baby. Depression that is not treated can affect the relationship between a new mom and her baby and lead to serious health problems for both the mother and baby. Women of race are more likely to experience more severe postpartum depression than white women, perhaps because they're less likely to seek treatment and get diagnosed.

2. Feelings of anger or anger

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) does not list anger or rage as a sign of PPD however, these emotions are common. Anger can be triggered by a variety of factors like rapid changes in hormones, sleep loss and worries about becoming a new mother. If you are experiencing these feelings it's crucial to speak to your doctor, who might conduct a depression test during your follow-up visit following delivery.

You can also seek assistance from a therapist or a support group. It's important to let others know how you're feeling to allow them to offer help. Offer help with meals or babysitting, as well as cleaning and running through errands. If someone offers to take care of the baby while you sleep you can take advantage of it. Spend time with others who can understand how you're feeling, like friends and family members or fellow new mothers in a mothers' group.

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

Encourage your friend or family member who is experiencing these feelings to seek medical treatment. Offer to accompany them to their appointment to offer support. You could suggest that they speak to their doctor, or join an therapist support group. You can also do other things to assist, such as offering babysitting or running for errands, or go on playdates and outings with your children. You can also make time to do activities you like, eat healthy and take a good amount of rest.

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

After the birth the new moms often are affected by feelings like sadness, anxiety or fatigue. They might be lonely or angry. These feelings are often referred to as the baby blues. They can last for several days or weeks after the birth. However, if the symptoms last more than two weeks, are becoming worse, interfere with your ability to care for your baby or yourself, or you are worried about hurting yourself or the baby, you could be suffering from postpartum depression (PPD). Your doctor will evaluate your situation during your postpartum appointment and may refer you to a specialist who is specialized in mental health, if required. If you are having thoughts of suicide or risking harm to the baby, call 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline immediately.

Remember that PPD is not the fault of you, regardless of the reason. Perinatal depression is caused by a variety of causes that include hormonal changes, lack of rest and emotional or familial issues. You are at a higher risk if depression or anxiety occurred during pregnancy or previously, and if there is an ancestral history.

Some women are more susceptible to postpartum depression. This is especially true if they have more serious symptoms, such as feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness or thoughts about harming themselves or their baby. These signs of feeling down are indicative of an even more serious condition known as postpartum psychosis. It can be dangerous for both you and your baby. This is a psychiatric emergency that needs to be treated in an emergency room. Call 911 or go directly to the nearest emergency department. It is also important to have support systems in place. Find friends and family members who will help with housework and childcare, as well as errands.

4. Feelings of hopelessness or a sense of worthlessness

If feelings of desperation or despair persist for more than two weeks this could be a sign something more serious is going on. They could also indicate a more serious condition known as postpartum psychosis. This is a very serious mental illness that can lead to delusions (thoughts or beliefs that aren't true), hallucinations (seeing, hearing or smelling things that aren't there), mania (a elevated and elated state that is out of touch with reality) and paranoia. Women who have these symptoms of persistent depressive disorder should seek medical help immediately, whether that be by calling a hotline, visiting their doctor or going to the emergency room.

People with PPD can be embarrassed or feel guilty about their feelings. They may believe that their feelings are reflected on their children or that they're terrible mothers. But there is nothing they have done or failed to do to cause their depression. It is caused by a combination hormonal and environmental factors which are beyond their control.

PPD can be treated and usually disappear if the treatment is done. This could include talk therapy or psychotherapy with a therapist such as psychologist, psychiatrist or a mental health counselor. Sometimes, medication is prescribed. Certain antidepressants are able to be taken during breastfeeding. Women should also seek as much support and rest as they can throughout this time. You can seek help with household chores or family members or your partner, or join a mothers' support group. It is also important to eat healthy and get plenty of sleep and exercise, and consult their physician regularly for checks and any concerns they have.

5. Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness

It is crucial that women who feel lost or unworthy, immediately consults with her doctor. These signs could be a sign of postpartum depressive disorder and should be taken seriously. These symptoms of depression in women can be more severe than the newborn blues and could prevent the new mom from taking care of herself or her baby. Untreated depression can become more serious and may even progress into a major depression. It can also affect the bond between mothers and their children as well as the bond within the family.

It's not certain what causes postpartum depression, but genetics and some medical conditions can increase a woman's chances of developing it. Other risk factors are serious stress during pregnancy, medical issues both during and after birth and the lack of support from others. The risk for a woman increases if she has a history of depression.

The majority of women suffering from postpartum depression improve with medicine and therapy. Medicine helps to balance the chemicals in the brain that affect mood. Your doctor may recommend psychotherapy such as cognitive behavior therapy, as well as interpersonal therapy or mother's support groups. Therapists can help a new mother learn to understand her feelings and deal with these feelings in a healthy way. Treatments for identifying depression symptoms might also be recommended, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as sertraline (Zoloft(r)) or the fluoxetine (Prozac(r)) and paroxetine (Paxil(r)). A newer drug, brexanolone (Zulresso(r)) is administered by IV over a period of two and a half days in the hospital and works quickly. It's safe to use when breastfeeding.

It's normal for people to experience sad or down periods following the birth of a child, but if these feelings do not go away or get worse then it's time to consult an expert. It's especially important to see an expert in the event that a mother is contemplating of harming herself or her baby, which are signs of depression that is more severe, referred to as postpartum psychosis. It's a rare condition.