Postpartum Depression Symptoms

The "baby blues" is a normal feeling experienced by new mothers after the birth of their child. It is important to consult your health care provider or doctor to discuss these feelings.

In certain cases, a new mom may develop something more serious, postpartum psychosis. This could cause hallucinations and a lack in sleep, along with thoughts signs of being depressed harming the baby or mother. Hospitalization is frequently required.

1. Feelings of despair or a sense of insanity

If you are experiencing extreme feelings of despair or desperation, it's a sign that you need to consult a mental health professional immediately. Inform your doctor if you are having thoughts are of suicide or if you have any thoughts about hurting yourself or the baby. These are very serious physical signs of depression and should not be overlooked. These symptoms can also be a sign of more severe postpartum depressive disorders, such as postpartum schizophrenia.

The most popular method to treat PPD is antidepressant medicine. This will balance your brain's chemical imbalances that affect your mood. Your doctor will suggest the medication that's best for you depending on your symptoms and if you're breastfeeding. Talk therapy is also a common treatment. Your doctor might recommend an individual therapy method like cognitive behavior therapy or interpersonal therapy. Certain support groups assist women with PPD.

The ability to rest and avoid unwanted visitors are also effective ways to prevent. If your baby is asleep, sleeping when they are asleep can help you get enough sleep. Exercise can also improve your mood. It can also be beneficial to establish a support system of family and friends who can help you with housework and childcare.

It's important to remember that being depressed doesn't mean you're a bad mother or that you don't love your baby. It's a normal medical condition that needs treatment. You can feel better after treatment and feel more energetic to care for your baby. Depression that is not treated can affect a new mother's relationship with her child and can lead to serious health problems for both the mother and baby. Women of color are at an increased risk of developing postpartum depression compared with white women. This could be because they are less likely to seek help and get diagnosed.

2. Feelings of anger or anger

Feelings of anger or rage are not considered to be symptoms of postpartum depression in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), however, they are commonplace in PPD. Anger can be triggered by a variety of causes, such as rapid changes in hormones, sleep deprivation and anxieties about becoming a mother. If you're experiencing these feelings you should speak with your doctor. The doctor might conduct a depression test during your postpartum follow-up.

You can also seek assistance from a therapist, or a support group. It's also important to let others know how you're feeling, so they can offer assistance. Request assistance with food or babysitting, as well as cleaning and running around for errands. If someone offers to take care of your baby while you rest then take them up on it. Spend time with people who can understand your feelings like family and friends, or newly mothers in a mothers' group.

You should immediately call 911 if you think of harming yourself or your baby. That's a serious sign of postpartum psychosis, a rare but severe medical condition that can occur with PPD.

Encourage a family member or friend who is experiencing these feelings to seek medical attention. Invite them to their appointment to provide support. You can suggest that they speak to their healthcare provider, or join a support group for therapists. You can also help by offering to watch your child, running the errands, or join in on playdates or outings. You can also participate in activities that you enjoy and take a healthy diet and get plenty of sleep.

3. Feelings of guilt and feeling unworthy

Many new moms experience feelings such as sadness, anxiety, fatigue, loneliness or anger after having children. These are sometimes called the baby blues, and can last for a few days or weeks following delivery. If these symptoms persist for longer than two weeks and are getting worse or if they affect your ability to care for the baby or yourself or if you are worried about harming yourself or your baby, then you could be suffering from postpartum depression. Your doctor will examine your condition during your postpartum appointment and will refer you to a specialist who is specialized in mental health, if required. If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or are concerned about harming the baby, contact 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline immediately.

It is important to keep in mind that it is not your fault that you have PPD, regardless of the cause. Numerous factors can play a role in the development of perinatal depression, including hormone changes, lack of sleep and emotional and family issues. You are at an increased chance of developing depression or anxiety if these issues occurred during pregnancy or previously, and if there is a family history.

Certain women are more vulnerable to postpartum depression. This is particularly true if they have more severe symptoms, such as feelings of hopelessness and desperation or thoughts of harming their child or themselves. These symptoms can indicate a more severe condition called postpartum psychosis. It could be harmful for both you and your baby. This is a mental health crisis that must be treated at a hospital. Call 911 or go directly to the nearest emergency department. It is also essential to have support systems in place. Find family and friends who can help with household chores and childcare and other running errands.

4. Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness

If a woman's feelings of sadness, worthlessness or hopelessness persist for longer than two weeks, it could be indicative of something more serious than the baby blues. They could also be a sign of a more serious illness known as postpartum psychosis. This is an extremely serious mental illness that can cause delusions, hallucinations and paranoia. Women who experience these symptoms should seek medical attention, whether by calling an emergency hotline, going to their doctor, or visiting the emergency room.

Women suffering from PPD may feel guilt or shame over how they feel. They may believe that their feelings are reflected on their babies or that they're terrible mothers. But, there is nothing they've done or not done that causes their depression. It is caused by a combination of hormones and environmental factors that are outside of their control.

PPD is treatable and usually is cured with the proper treatment. This can include psychotherapy or talk therapy with a therapist, such as psychologist, psychiatrist, or a mental health counselor. Sometimes medication is also prescribed. Some antidepressants are safe to use while breastfeeding. Women should also seek as much rest and support as possible during this period. You can seek assistance with household chores or family members or a partner, or even join a mothers support group. They should also ensure to eat well and get plenty of rest and exercise, and visit their doctor regularly for checkups and any questions they may have.

5. Feelings of hopelessness or despair

It is essential that a woman who feels hopeless or worthless immediately consults with her doctor. These signs of depression in adults could be a sign of postpartum depression, and should be taken seriously. These feelings are more severe than the baby blues and could prevent the new mom from taking care of her infant or herself. If they're left untreated the depression may last longer and even turn into a major depressive disorder. It can also interfere with the bonding between the mother and the child and also the family's bond.

Postpartum depression isn't known to be caused by anything specific however, genetics or medical issues can increase the chances of a new mom experiencing it. Other risk factors include stress during pregnancy, medical issues both during and after the birth and a lack of support from other women. The risk for a woman increases when she has a past history with depression.

The majority of women suffering from postpartum depression improve with medicine and therapy. Medicine helps to balance the chemical levels in the brain that influence mood. Your doctor may suggest psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy, as well as interpersonal therapy or mothers' support groups. The therapist can help a new mother learn to understand her feelings and manage them in healthy ways. SSRIs such as sertraline fluoxetine (Prozac (r)), and paroxetine may be prescribed for depression. A newer medication, brexanolone (Zulresso(r)) is administered via IV over a period of two and a half days in the hospital and starts working quickly. It's safe to take while breastfeeding.

It's normal for people to experience down or sad times after a baby is born, but if these feelings do not go away or become worse then it's time to consult a doctor. It's especially important to see a doctor in the event that a mother is contemplating of harming herself or her baby or her baby, which could be a sign behavioral indicators of depression more serious depression, also known as postpartum psychosis. It's a rare condition.