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"Baby Blues," which many new parents go through, is not the same as postnatal depression. Some women experience postnatal depression (also known as postpartum depression), a type of mental illness, after giving birth.
The onset of this type of depression is typically 4 to 6 weeks following the delivery, although it can occasionally take months. Whether a woman delivers spontaneously or through a cesarean section, the condition may still manifest sooner or later.
What Is Postnatal Depression?
Postnatal refers to the period following childbirth. Within the first few days of giving birth, most mothers experience baby blues, or feelings of sadness or emptiness. The newborn blues typically disappear in 3 to 5 days for most mothers. You might develop postnatal depression if your baby blues persist or if you experience these emotions for more than two weeks.
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It is not typical or expected for mothers to experience hopelessness or emptiness after the delivery. It is a mental illness that impacts the brain, has an impact on behavior, and degrades physical well-being. Sad, flat, or empty feelings can affect your daily life if you have depression, especially since they cannot be shrugged off easily.
You might not feel like the mother of your child, or you may not feel as though you care for or love the child. Mild-to-strong emotions can accompany this feeling. Furthermore, anxiety disorders in mothers are possible either during or after pregnancy.
What Causes Postnatal Depression?
After pregnancy, depression is a typical issue. Postpartum depression affects one in nine new mothers. Postpartum depression has an elusive specific reason. However, factors that increase the likelihood of postnatal depression include hormonal changes following childbirth, worries about money, relationship problems, a lack of social acceptance and support (for example, in situations where the mother is a single teenager), and a history of depression and mood disorders.
After delivery, thyroid hormone levels may also decrease. The thyroid is a little gland in the neck that aids in controlling how your body utilizes and stores food-derived energy. Thyroid hormone levels that are too low can result in depressive symptoms. You can find out if this disorder is the source of your symptoms with a quick blood test. In this case, your doctor may recommend thyroid medication.
New mothers frequently experience these emotions. Postnatal depression, however, is a significant medical problem that is treatable. Being a new mother does not typically or predictably include experiencing postnatal depression.
Postnatal Depression: Symptoms
Symptoms of postpartum depression are very similar to those of Major Depressive Disorder. Your quality of life may be impacted by postpartum depression symptoms, which include:
- Frequent sadness
- Frequently sobbing or being teary
- Being antsy, angry, or worried
- Loss of enjoyment or interest in life
- Decrease in appetite
- Less drive and energy to get things done
- Sleep issues, such as difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, or resting more than normal
- Feeling guilty, worthless, or forlorn
- Unjustified weight gain or loss
- The impression that life is not worth living
- Displaying little enthusiasm for your infant
- Not feeling a connection with your child
While women may experience postnatal psychosis under unusual circumstances, this illness is really dangerous since it includes both thoughts of harming yourself and the baby, in addition to other symptoms.
How Is Postnatal Depression Treated?
Drugs used to treat psychosis are frequently added in the case of postnatal psychosis. Admission to the hospital is frequently required. Don't automatically think that since you are nursing, you can't take medicine for sadness, anxiety, or even psychosis. Consult your physician. Many women use medicine while nursing when under a doctor's care. You should consult your doctor and decide on this jointly.
Your ability to parent may suffer if postpartum depression is not treated. Depression can be exacerbated by feeling like a bad mother. It's critical to seek assistance if you're experiencing depression. Researchers believe a mother's postnatal depression can have an impact on her child's development throughout life. Even making changes to your lifestyle can help you improve your mood.
Throughout and after pregnancy, your body and mind undergo numerous changes. Reach out for assistance if you experience prolonged periods of feeling empty, emotionless, or depressed for more than two weeks during or after pregnancy. You may have postpartum depression if you believe that you don't really love or care for your newborn.
Therapy and medication are effective treatments for postnatal depression that will benefit your baby's future health as well as your own.
Janvi Kapur is a counselor with a Master's degree in applied psychology with a specialization in clinical psychology.
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