Postnatal depression is so common among mothers that they don’t even realize they have it.
Too often we are busy with our families and routines that we don’t even realize if we are depressed or just feeling sad. Sadly many of us cannot even recognize the difference between sadness and anxiety or depression. For the majority, depression is not a sickness, it’s just a feeling.
Women come back home after childbirth and ask questions like:
Is it normal to cry a lot after having a baby?
What does it mean to have postpartum?
What causes postpartum?
Is ppd a mental illness?
Is it normal to feel sick after pregnancy?
Does ppd go away?
Is ppd dangerous?
Is it normal to feel anxious after having a baby?
It it normal to be forgetful after pregnancy?
But there is so much more in-depth that nobody accepts. None of us like to accept the fact that we have depression. But trust me, there is nothing to be ashamed of.
Difference between postnatal depression & baby blues
Baby blues is a very common term used by pregnant women. Mothers feel a little sad, lost and fatigued after childbirth and they name it baby blues. There is another term, Postpartum depression. Women mix up both the terms.
The majority of mothers suffer from postnatal depression after giving birth and many of them confuse it with baby blues. Even after a miscarriage, it is possible.
The biggest difference between baby blues and depression is that those blues last for few weeks only whereas postpartum depression lasts longer even for years. Symptoms of postpartum depression after childbirth are very common. You need to see a doctor and get a medication to treat that.
So how do you know if you have postnatal depression or just baby blues?
Here are 10 signs you should notice. If you feel like you really have it, don’t ask this question, “why me?” There are so many reasons behind that so don’t think this is happening because of your fault.
Check out these 10 symptoms that you may have postnatal depression;
1.Sleep
Your sleep is affected and falling asleep is a struggle now no matter how tired you are!
2. Unable to bond with your newborn
You feel too hard to bond with your newborn. Instead of feeling the urge to love him, you feel strange and cannot identify your feelings.
3. Mood swings
People around you are complaining a lot about your severe mood swings.
4. Tiredness
You are tired every time without any reason.
5.Social isolation
You don’t wanna go outside and meet your friends and family. Going for groceries seems like one of the hardest tasks for you.
6. Feeling like a failure
You feel like a failure whatever you do. Be it your baby or your household or your relationships.
7.Lack of appetite
Your appetite is changed drastically. Either you wanna eat a lot or don’t want to eat at all. There is no sequence.
8. Frequent panic attacks
You are having panic attacks for little reasons. For spilled milk, for your baby who doesn’t stop crying or for anything that shouldn’t bother you, but is bothering you to a big level.
9. Reduced sex drive
Lack of interest in sex and any kind of intimacy.
10. Thoughts of self harm or harming the baby
Women who go through postpartum depression have thoughts of harming or killing their baby. It is a very serious illness and should not be ignored.
If you think you have a maximum of these symptoms, you should visit your doctor. Talk about it and start your medication as soon as you can.
When to see a doctor?
Most of the times, postnatal depression fades off with time. But in some cases, it doesn’t. Have a look at when you should consult with your doctor.
1.Symptoms of postnatal depression are not going away even after 2 weeks.
2.The symptoms are getting worse day by day.
3.Your depression is making you unable to take care of your baby.
4.You are thinking about harming yourself or your baby.
Don’t blame yourself for anything, it can happen to anybody. Many factors cause postnatal depression.
What are the causes of postnatal depression?
There are so many causes of postnatal depression and every mother feels it differently. Have a look at these factors.
Physical factors:
Reduction in thyroid hormone levels
Lack of sleep
Imbalanced diet
Complex medical conditions
Drug or drinking problem
Emotional factors:
Depression history in family
Recent trauma in life
Financial issues may cause depression
Lack of emotional support
How to treat postpartum depression?
There are 2 main ways to treat postnatal depression.
Therapy
Medication
Your doctor may suggest go with one or with both depending on your condition. Apart from these treatments, a lot of other factors also help in treating postnatal depression.
Medication for postnatal depression
There are different medications available for postpartum depression. Antidepressants are mostly prescribed to treat the condition. It takes some time to get the results if you take the medication regularly. Always make sure your doctor knows your history and your condition in detail. Taking medication may have some side effects like fatigue, decreased sex drive and dizziness.
Therapy to treat postnatal depression
If your doctor recommends therapy, then any psychiatrist or psychologist will counsel you on a regular basis. They will talk to you and help you overcome the negative thoughts.
If you have any questions or you want to share anything, you are always welcome to share what you think.
Lots of love.
Is there anything that I missed and anything that helped you for a smooth delivery and post-delivery time, don’t hesitate to share? Feel free to share with me because everyone loves to sit back and relax. And why not! You deserve it mama ?
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