Postpartum Depression Symptoms

Many new mothers experience a brief moment of despair and sadness following the birth of their child known as the "baby blues." It's crucial to talk to your GP or health professional about your feelings.

In some cases the mother of a newborn may experience something more grave, postpartum psychosis. This can cause hallucinations, lack of sleep and thoughts of harming herself or the baby. Hospitalization may be required.

1. Feelings of hopelessness or a sense of worthlessness

If you experience extreme feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, it's an indication that you need to see an expert in mental health right away. It is also important to tell your doctor if you think about suicide or think of harming yourself or your child. These are extremely dangerous subtle signs of depression and should not be overlooked. These symptoms can also be a sign of more severe postpartum depression disorders, such as postpartum schizophrenia.

The most common way to treat PPD is with antidepressant medication. This helps to regulate your brain's chemicals that influence your mood. Your doctor will recommend the most effective medication for you based on your symptoms as well as whether you are breastfeeding. Talk therapy is another popular treatment. Your doctor may suggest the use of a specific therapy method like cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapy. Some support groups also aid women suffering from PPD.

Other options include rest and avoiding unnecessary visitors. The act of sleeping while your baby is asleep will ensure that you are getting enough sleep. Exercise can boost your mood. Making a network of family members and friends to assist with childcare and housework can be very helpful.

It is important to keep in mind that feeling depressed doesn't necessarily mean that you're a bad mom or that you are not loving your child. It's not a mental illness. It's an illness that requires treatment. You can feel better after treatment and be more energized to take care of your baby. Untreated depression can also affect the relationship between a pregnant mom and her child and could result in serious health issues for both mom and baby. Women of race are more likely to have a worse experience with postpartum depression than white women, possibly because they're less likely to seek treatment and be diagnosed.

2. Feelings of anger or rage

Feelings of anger or rage are not listed as symptoms of postpartum depression in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), however, they are commonplace during PPD. Anger can be triggered by a variety of things, such as rapid changes in hormone levels, sleep deprivation and anxiety about becoming the new mom. If you're experiencing these feelings it is important to speak to your doctor, who may do a depression screening at your follow-up appointment following the birth.

You can also seek assistance from a therapist, or a support group. It is important to let others know how you're feeling to allow them to provide assistance. Request assistance with food cleaning, babysitting, or running through errands. Make use of anyone who will take care of your baby while you nap. Try to spend time with people who can understand how you're feeling. This could include family members and friends or other mothers in mothers' groups.

If you're thinking of harming yourself or your baby, it's an emergency situation and you should call 911 or your healthcare provider right immediately. It's a serious indication of postpartum psychosis, which is a rare but serious medical condition that can be associated with PPD.

Encourage a friend or family member who is experiencing these feelings to seek medical treatment. Suggest that they talk to their doctor or join a therapist support group, and offer to go with them to the appointment as a therapist. You could also offer other services to help, like offer to babysit or run for errands, or go on playdates and outings with your children. You can also take time to do things that you like, eat healthy and take a good amount of rest.

3. Feelings of guilt and worthlessness

After the birth the new moms often are affected by feelings like depression, anxiety, or even fatigue. They might be lonely or angry. They are often referred to as the baby blues and can last for some days or weeks following delivery. But if these symptoms last more than two weeks, are getting worse, impede your ability to take care of the baby or yourself or include thoughts of hurting yourself or the baby, you may be suffering from postpartum depression (PPD). Your doctor will assess your condition during your postpartum visit and will refer you to a doctor who is trained in mental health if needed. Call 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline if you think of taking your baby's life or committing suicide.

It is important to remember that PPD is not your fault, regardless of the cause. Perinatal depression is caused by a variety of factors that include hormonal changes, lack of sleep and emotional or familial issues. You are at greater risk of developing depression or anxiety if it was present during pregnancy or prior to or if you have a family history.

Certain women are more prone to postpartum depression. This is particularly the case if they experience more severe symptoms of persistent depressive disorder, such as feelings early signs of depression worthlessness and hopelessness or thoughts of harming themselves or their baby. These physical symptoms of postpartum depression of being depressed (Read A great deal more) are indicative of a more severe disorder known as postpartum psychosis, which could be harmful for both you and your baby. It is a psychiatric emergency that needs to be treated in a hospital. Contact 911 or go directly to the nearest emergency department. It is also important to have support systems in place. Seek out friends and family who are willing to assist with childcare, housework and other errands.

4. Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness

If the woman's feelings of depression, despair, sadness, or worthlessness persist for more than two weeks, it could be indicative of something more severe than the baby blues. Postpartum psychosis is a more severe condition that can trigger these feelings. This is a very serious mental illness that can lead to delusions (thoughts or beliefs that are not true) as well as hallucinations (seeing or smelling things that aren't present), the condition known as mania (a elevated and elated state that seems out of touch with reality) and paranoia. Women who experience these symptoms should seek medical assistance immediately, either by calling a hotline, visiting their doctor or going to the emergency room.

Women with PPD can often feel guilt or shame over the way they are feeling. They might feel that their emotions reflect on their babies or that they're terrible mothers. However there is nothing they have done or failed to do that causes their depression. It is caused by a combination of hormonal and environmental factors that are out of their control.

PPD can be treated and can disappear with the right treatment. This could include psychotherapy or talk therapy with a therapist, such as psychologist, psychiatrist or mental health counselor. Sometimes medication is also prescribed. Certain antidepressants are safe for women to take while breastfeeding. Women should also try to get as much sleep and support as they can during this time. This could include asking for help with housework as well as a partner or family members or joining a mothers' support group. They should also ensure that they eat a healthy diet, get plenty of sleep and exercise, and visit their doctor regularly for checkups and any questions they have.

5. Feelings of despair or a sense of inadequacy

It's important that a woman who feels hopeless or worthless immediately seeks out a doctor. These are serious symptoms that could be a sign of postpartum depression and should never be overlooked. These symptoms can be more severe than the newborn blues and can keep a new mother from taking care of her child or herself. Untreated depression can become more serious and may even progress into a major depressive disorder. It could also hinder the bonding between the mother and the child and also the family's relationship.

Postpartum depression is not known to be caused by a specific factor however, medical or genetic issues may increase the likelihood of a mother-to-be experiencing it. Other risk factors are serious anxiety during pregnancy, medical issues both during and after birth and a lack of support from others. If a woman has had a history of depression her risk is higher also.

Most women with postpartum depression get better with medicine and therapy. Medicine helps balance chemical levels in the brain that affect mood. Your doctor can recommend psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy, or a mother's support group. Therapists can assist a new mom to learn to understand her feelings and manage them in healthy ways. Medications for depression may also be recommended, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like 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 starts working quickly. It's safe to use when breastfeeding.

It's normal for a mom to feel depressed or sad after the birth of her baby. If the feelings persist or become worse, it's important to consult the doctor. If the mother is having thoughts of harming her child or herself This could be a sign of a more severe form of depression known as postpartum psychsis. It is a rare condition.