Many parents feel elation and joy when they bring their newborn baby home from the hospital. Car seats were installed, new costumes and extra diapers were purchased, and the child’s room was decorated. Although the new role is certainly tiring, such parents often enjoy spending time with their new children.
However, for many people, the days after giving birth are not only filled with happiness. Of course, the joy is often still there, but for women (and men) who suffer from postpartum depression, there are also moments of intense sadness, loneliness, and even resentment, says an obstetrician-gynecologist and interim system expert. Dr. Fatima Naqvi explains. Medical Director of Women’s Health at Atlantic Health System of New Jersey.
Here we explain what postpartum depression is, what causes it, and how to get the treatment you need if you experience it.
What is postpartum depression?
Postpartum depression patients, commonly referred to as the “baby blues,” are a condition in which many mothers often begin to experience mood swings, depression, and sudden fatigue after giving birth. These feelings are common, but they often begin to subside after a week or two after returning home from the hospital.
However, these feelings can turn into deeper feelings of depression, anxiety, and hopelessness, and last longer. If these feelings persist beyond two to three weeks after giving birth, the mother may be suffering from postpartum depression.
According to PRAMS data published by , this occurs in about 1 in 8 women during the first year of a newborn’s life. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although less common, “postpartum depression can also affect parents who didn’t give birth, such as a spouse or partner,” says the Chicago-based internist and fertility specialist, says reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Ashima Ahmad. surely, 1 in 10 men Experience it or something similar.
Symptoms experienced by mothers with postpartum depression include feelings of anger and moodiness. Feeling sad or hopeless. Feeling guilty, ashamed, or worthless. Eating more or less than usual. You will be sleeping more or less less than usual. Unusual crying or sadness. Loss of interest, pleasure, or pleasure in things you previously enjoyed. Being away from friends and family. Or if you experience thoughts of hurting your baby or yourself. U.S.Ministry of Health and WelfareBureau of Women’s Health.
Men with postpartum depression often experience “a range of symptoms, including excessive self-criticism, restlessness, irritability, and aggression,” Naqvi said.
What causes postpartum depression?
The exact cause of postpartum depression is not universally defined, but multiple factors are likely involved. Dr. Jameka Woody Cooper, a psychologist and adjunct professor at Webster University in Missouri, says the feelings associated with postpartum depression begin with hormonal changes related to estrogen and progesterone levels, which are at an all-time high during pregnancy. He explains that this often happens. Once these levels return to normal after giving birth, most women experience at least some degree of depression or sadness, but for some women, “significant hormonal changes also contribute to an increased risk of developing postpartum depression.” “It could be,” Cooper said. She says, “New mothers need to be aware of the potential emotional and physical challenges during this time.”
Ahmad says the sudden lack of sleep and fatigue that comes with caring for a baby, as well as the loss of social and life opportunities and new financial stress, can exacerbate the problem.
Naqvi said it could also play a role whether the mother intended to have the child, whether she had a negative experience giving birth, and whether she had a history of substance abuse problems or mood disorders or depression. .
How to treat postpartum depression
Postpartum depression is formally diagnosed by a health care provider who asks a series of specific screening questions and evaluates the answers. These questions also help doctors determine the severity, whether the child is at risk of harm, and whether the mother is having suicidal thoughts, Naqvi explains.
Medical treatment usually includes pharmaceutical interventions such as oral or injectable antidepressants. “Cognitive behavioral therapy or acceptance and commitment therapy has also been shown to be effective in addressing symptoms of postpartum depression,” Cooper says.
Besides medical care, self-care is also important, says Ahmad. This means asking for support from family and friends, getting enough rest, taking some “me” time each day, prioritizing your nutrition, getting regular exercise, and most of all, doing whatever you need to. She explains that this means being honest with yourself, your partner, and your doctor. Help.
“The earlier postpartum depression is detected and treated, the better the outcome,” Dr. Cooper says. “Remember that asking for help shows courage and resilience. With the right support and treatment, people with postpartum depression can recover and grow as parents.”
If you or someone you know is in trouble or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat with us at: 988lifeline.org.
