If the word partum means to give birth, then postpartum depression indicates a state where women suffer through a particular type of depression after giving birth.
Almost 15% of all new mothers suffer from symptoms of postpartum depression, so postpartum care plays a crucial role in the rehabilitation and reintegration of mothers into their new lifestyle. Aside from emotional lows, new mothers can suffer from exhaustion, anxiety, guilt, etc., and go through a severe crisis when it comes to caring for their new baby.
My OBGYN Specialists is one of the most renowned clinics that offers care for new mothers and whose staff is equipped and experienced enough to provide services and postpartum depression treatments to new parents. Considering that this condition can be treated by medication and effective counseling, you should choose a clinic that offers both treatment paths so that the treatment can be adjusted to your particular needs.
What Is Postpartum Depression?
Considering all the changes that occur after a baby has entered a person’s life, becoming a parent is undoubtedly seen as a life-altering event. Although being a new parent is very exciting and challenging, it can also be quite scary, overwhelming, and unpredictable. Many new parents experience fear, worry, doubt, and similar, but those are mostly viewed as short-term concerns which pass after the first months of being a parent.
That said, it is important to note that some new parents experience extreme feelings of loneliness, sadness, mood changes, crying, indifference, etc. which might signal that they are suffering from postpartum depression or PPD.
In psychology, PPD is viewed as a type of depression that occurs once the person has given birth, and it does not just affect the person who physically went through delivery, but it can occur in surrogacy or with adoptive parents as well. Challenges after having a baby can include physical, hormonal, emotional, financial, and social aspects, which can negatively affect the mental health of new parents.
When it comes to potential causes, many argue that PPD is directly connected to the rapid drop in hormone levels that occurs after the delivery. The hormone levels are very high during pregnancy, and after the body no longer has to foster a baby, the hormones drop rapidly, causing chemical changes in the body.
Aside from this, there are many psychological and social changes parents must endure after a baby is born, so this might also negatively affect the mental health of new parents and cause postpartum depression.
Types of Postpartum Depression
In order to suggest a proper postpartum depression treatment plan for the patient, your medical healthcare provider must discover which of the three types of postpartum depression you are suffering from. The types include:
- Baby blues, postpartum blues, or postpartum dysphoria: This type of PPD affects up to 70% of new mothers after giving birth. If you are crying for no particular reason or you experience anxiety and sadness in the first week postpartum, lasting only a couple of weeks, this signals that you might be having the baby blues.
- Postpartum depression: This diagnosis is much more serious than the baby blues, and it affects every seventh person who welcomed a new baby into their lives. Alternating lows and highs, irritability, exhaustion, frequent crying, feeling guilty and anxious, and being unable to take care of your child might be some of the symptoms of postpartum depression. Symptoms can vary from mild to severe, and they can happen right away or develop gradually, up to one year after the delivery.
- Postpartum psychosis: This type of PPD is the most extreme form of mental health struggle after giving birth. It requires immediate medical attention, and although it is very rare (one in a thousand people), it is still important to mention it as a possibility. The symptoms take place right after delivery, and they can last up to a few months. Symptoms can range from confusion, agitation, and paranoia to mania, hallucinations, etc. There is an increased risk of suicide and harm to the baby.
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression
As you might have noticed, some of the symptoms of PPD were mentioned already. Still, in this part of the article, we want to summarize symptoms based on the severity of your PPD, i.e., the type of postpartum depression you are experiencing.
The symptoms of baby blues and postpartum depression are:
- Profound crying
- Being overwhelmed
- Loss of appetite
- Insomnia or issues with sleeping patterns
- Mood changes
- Anxiety
- Sadness
- Exhaustion
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Feeling guilty and worthless
- Loss of interest in hobbies
- Loss of motivation
- Difficulty focusing
- Unwillingness to take care of your baby as much as needed
The difference between these two diagnoses is in the duration of the condition and its intensity.
The symptoms which occur when one is suffering from postpartum psychosis are:
- Severe irritability
- Confusion
- Hopelessness
- Shame
- Insomnia
- Paranoia
- Delusions
- Hallucination
- Hyperactivity
- Rapid speech
- Mania
- Suicidal thoughts
- Thoughts of hurting the baby
How Long Does Postpartum Depression Last?
To answer the question of how long postpartum depression lasts, it is vital to have a proper diagnosis beforehand. As shared previously, different types of PPD last differently, so the baby blues can stop after just a few weeks, while some other types of this condition can last up to one year. Also, the length of your PPD diagnosis depends on the course of treatment and how invested both the patient and the medical provider are in overcoming this condition. Ensure you are completely honest with your doctor because this will immensely help with postpartum depression.
Postpartum Depression Treatment
When it comes to treatment options for a patient suffering from postpartum depression, they all depend on the proper diagnosis. There are no tests that help doctors diagnose PPD, but patients are evaluated during their postpartum care visits, where they can share their concerns and feelings and give the provider a chance to discuss the potential symptoms in more detail. Sometimes depression screenings are done, as well as in-depth consultations and blood tests.
Following the severity of the symptoms and the type of PPD, your medical provider will recommend a proper treatment course. Treatment options can include:
- Antidepressant medication
- Anti-anxiety medication
- Psychotherapy
- Support group participation
- Admission to treatment centers
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
- Sharing your concerns with a friend, family member
- Eating a healthy diet
- Allocating time for exercise
- Prioritizing resting
- Socializing more
- Implementing self-care tactics
- Asking your partner for more support in daily chores
Prevention Measures
Although PPD is not preventable, there are some warning signs which might be helpful in reacting promptly, as well as certain risk factors that increase the possibility of experiencing postpartum depression. Some steps which can help you minimize the impact of PPD can include:
- Having realistic expectations from yourself and the baby
- Asking for help
- Resting when the baby sleeps
- Not losing contact with close friends and family
- Exercising whenever you can (even light walks or yoga)
- Making your partner as included as possible
- Preparing yourself for good and bad days
We Are Here for You!
Postpartum depression happens to many new parents, so do not feel bad if you are also going through it. Our staff is equipped to help patients facing PPD, so feel free to call us, schedule an appointment, and ensure that you have the support you need during this challenging period.