Postpartum Depression (PPD)–Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

There is no greater happiness than being a mom, especially if it’s your first baby. However, for some, it could be a great ordeal as well. Yes, most of the women slip into depression after giving birth, which is known to be postpartum depression. It could be due to numerous reasons. The problem can be treated if the person immediately takes precautions or follow a treatment suggested by doctors and therapists.

What Is Postpartum Depression?

Postpartum depression is a type of depression that most of the new mothers go through. It can start any time after the birth of the baby and may take longer to heal. Usually, this type of depression fades away after a few weeks of delivery. But if it lasts for long, it can turn into a severe problem. Most of the new mothers experience postpartum baby blues after childbirth. It could be because of various changes in the body that takes in the new mom’s body during and after the delivery. However, if you start the treatment on time, the problem could be treated, and the mother could start leading a happy life.

Baby Blues Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of the postpartum depression vary from mother to mother. It can range from mild to severe. The mild symptoms are called ‘’Baby Blues Symptoms ‘’. These signs last for few days only.

• Anxiety
• Mood Swings
• Irritation
• Sadness
• Reduced Concentration
• Frequently crying
• Reduce and increase in appetite
• Problem in sleeping

Signs of Postpartum Depression:

Postpartum depression is the severe version of Baby Blues. The signs and symptoms of both the problems differ. If the problem does not fade on time, it might interfere with the ability of the mother to take care of her baby. The symptoms of the PPD start within the first few weeks after giving birth to the child or during the pregnancy. Some of the symptoms of postpartum depression are:

• Severe mood swings.
• Excessive crying.
• Difficulty in bonding with the baby
• Loss and increase in the appetite
• The continuous feeling of sadness.
• Loss of energy
• Intense anger
• Hopelessness
• Prolong feeling of guilt
• Not able to make sound decisions
• Frequent thoughts of suicide

Postpartum Psychosis Signs and Symptoms

Postpartum Psychosis is one of the rare yet mentally severe health problems that affect the women as after the delivery of the baby. It is a serious health problem and should be treated medically on time. The severe condition is also known as puerperal psychosis or postnatal psychosis. Its symptoms are:

• Disorientation and confusion
• Obsessive thoughts for the baby.
• Delusions and hallucinations
• Sleep disorder
• Excessive agitation
• Paranoia
• Attempts to harm oneself.

Causes of PPD:

• Hormonal changes
• History of depression amongst the would-be or new moms.
• Stress
• Unplanned pregnancy
• Complications during pregnancy
• Baby health problems
• If the mother delivers more than one baby at the same time.
• Difficulty in breastfeeding
• Relationship problems with a spouse.
• Unplanned pregnancy
• Lack of moral support
• Sleep deprivation
• Low Thyroid Hormone Levels
• Underlying Medical Conditions
• Alcohol or drug abuse

When should you see a Doctor?

While postpartum depression is common amongst most of the women, in some, it fades away with time, and in some, the problem gets serious with the passing time. You need to visit the doctor if the symptoms of baby blue or postpartum depression do not subside within the 1-2 weeks after delivering a baby. See you, doctor, as soon as you find the following features:

• If the symptoms are getting worst with the time.
• You find it hard to take care of your baby.
• You find difficulty in completing regular household chores.
• Frequent thoughts of harming yourself and baby.

Treatment for Postpartum Depression (PPD)

As soon as you find the above-listed symptoms of Baby Blues or postpartum depression symptoms common in you, visit your doctor. Your doctor will help you to treat the problem with medication that includes antidepressants. It is a drug that helps to cure depression. Most of these drugs are safe for the breastfeeding mothers, or he might help give you other medicines to cure the problem of the root.

You can even talk to the therapist or psychologist about the same. He or she would help you to deal with the problem. You can also discuss stress and tribulations with the therapist and learn different practices to overcome the signs of postpartum depression

You may also like: Anemia in Pregnancy- Causes, Symptoms & Cure

Other Ways to Treat Postpartum Depression:

• Exercise regularly
• Distress yourself
• Surround yourself with positive people
• Talk about your problems with your husband or closed, and do not let it go.
• Try to think about all the positive things.

Complications Related to Postpartum Depression (PPD)

If the problem is left untreated, it might prevent mothers in bonding with their new-born and lead to the following problems:

• For Mothers – If the postpartum depression is not treated timely it could lead to chronic problems and would even result in major depression
• For Fathers – Yes, fathers also suffer from postpartum depression. One of the leading causes of father postpartum depression is stress or who have had depression before. It is also called paternal postpartum depression. One of the primary causes of parental postpartum depression is the health conditions of a new mom (his wife).
• For children – Children of mothers who have been suffering from postpartum depression may have behavioural and emotional problems like problems in sleeping, eating, frequently crying, and delay in language development.

If you have any queries related to Depression or Postpartum depression, you can visit the Vandrevala Foundation.

Conclusion:

Postpartum is a common type of depression that is occurred to newly mothers once they deliver the bay. The root cause of the problem could be hormonal changes, stress etc.

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