Postpartum Depression Symptoms

The "baby blues" is a common occurrence that new mothers experience following the birth of their baby. It is important to talk to your doctor or health visitor to discuss these feelings.

In rare instances, a new mom may develop something more grave, postpartum psychosis. This could cause hallucinations and a lack in sleep, along with thoughts of harming the mother or her baby. Hospitalization is usually required.

1. Feelings of hopelessness or despair

If you feel depressed or depressed, you must seek immediate assistance from an expert in mental health. Talk to your doctor if your thoughts are of suicide, or if you have any thoughts about harming yourself or your baby. These are potentially dangerous psychological signs of being depressed that should not be overlooked. They can also be a warning sign of other serious forms of postpartum depression, like postpartum psychosis.

The most commonly used method to treat PPD is with antidepressant medication. This will help balance the chemicals in your brain that affect mood. Your doctor will recommend the best medication for you depending on your symptoms of late-life depression and whether or not you're nursing. Talk therapy is also a common treatment. Your doctor may suggest specific therapy methods, such as cognitive behavior therapy or interpersonal therapy. Certain support groups assist women suffering from PPD.

Other options include rest and avoiding unnecessary visitors. The act of sleeping while your baby is asleep will aid in getting enough sleep. Exercise can also improve your mood. The idea of forming a network with friends and family members to help with childcare or housework can be very beneficial.

It is important to keep in mind that feeling depressed does not mean that you are an unloving mother or that you do not love your child. It's not a mental illness. It is medical issue that requires treatment. You'll feel better after treatment and be more energized to take care of your baby. Untreated depression can also impact a new mother's relationship with her baby and cause serious health issues for the mom and baby. Women of color are at an increased risk of developing postpartum depression compared to white women. This could be because they are less likely to seek help and receive a diagnosis.

2. Feelings of anger or rage

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) does not include anger or rage as a sign of PPD, but these feelings are quite common. Anger can be triggered by a number of factors, including sudden changes in hormone levels, sleep deprivation and anxieties about being the new mom. If you're experiencing these emotions, it's best to speak to your doctor. The doctor may perform a depression screen during your postpartum follow-up.

You can also seek assistance from a therapist or a support group. It's important to let others know how you're feeling, to allow them to offer help. Ask for assistance with eating cleaning, babysitting, or running around for errands. You can take advantage of anyone who offers to look after your baby while you nap. Try to spend time with people who understand how you're feeling, like friends and family members or other mothers in a mothers' group.

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

If you have a friend or family member who is having these feelings, encourage them to seek medical assistance. Offer to accompany them to their appointment to provide support. You can suggest that they talk to their healthcare provider or join a support group for therapists. You can also assist by offering to take care of the baby, running the errands, or join in on outings or playdates. You can also make time to do things you enjoy, eat well and rest as much as you need.

3. Feelings of guilt or worthlessness

Many new moms experience feelings like anxiety, sadness, fatigue, loneliness or irritability after childbirth. These feelings are commonly referred to as the baby blues. They can last for a few days or weeks after the birth. If the symptoms persist for longer than two weeks and have been getting worse or if they affect your ability to take care of your baby or yourself, or when you think of harming yourself or your baby, then you may be suffering from postpartum depression. When you visit your postpartum doctor, your doctor will examine your condition and recommend you to a mental health professional should it be needed. If you are having thoughts of suicide or harming the baby, contact 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline immediately.

It is important to remember that PPD is not your fault, no matter what caused it. Many factors could contribute to the development of perinatal depression, including hormone changes, sleep deprivation and family and emotional issues. You are at a higher risk of developing primary depression symptoms or anxiety if it occurred during pregnancy or before or if there is an ancestry history of depression in your family.

Some women have more difficulty dealing with postpartum depression, particularly when they suffer from more severe symptoms like feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness or fears of harming their baby or themselves. These symptoms are indicative of a more severe condition called postpartum psychosis. It could be harmful for both you and your baby. It is a psychiatric emergency that must be treated in 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 the occasional errands.

4. Feelings of hopelessness or despair

If women's feelings of despair, sadness, or worthlessness persist for more than two weeks, it could be a sign of something more severe than the baby blues. They could also indicate a more serious illness known as postpartum psychosis. This is a serious mental illness that can lead to delusions (thoughts or beliefs that aren't real), hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there) and the condition known as mania (a elevated and elated state that is out of touch with reality) and paranoia. Women with these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention, whether by calling an emergency hotline, seeing their doctor, or going to the emergency room.

Women with PPD can often feel guilt or shame over the way they are feeling. They may feel that their feelings are reflected on their babies or that they're terrible mothers. They haven't done anything to cause their depression. It is caused by a combination hormonal and environmental factors which are beyond their control.

PPD can be treated and will usually disappear if you take the proper treatment. This may include psychotherapy or talk therapy with a therapist like psychologist, psychiatrist, or a mental health counselor. Sometimes, medication may be prescribed. Certain antidepressants can be used while breastfeeding. Women should also seek as much support and rest as possible during this period. You can seek assistance with household chores, family members or your partner, or join a mothers' support group. They should also make sure that they eat a healthy diet, get plenty of sleep and exercise, and visit their healthcare provider for regular checkups and any questions they have.

5. Feelings of despair or a sense of inadequacy

If a woman is experiencing feelings of despair or feeling worthless it is important to speak to her doctor immediately. These symptoms can indicate postpartum depression, and should not go unnoticed. These feelings can be more severe than the newborn blues and can keep the new mom from taking care of her child or herself. If left untreated, the depression can last longer and even turn into a major depressive disorder. It can also affect the bond between a mother and her child as well as the relationship within the family.

Postpartum depression isn't believed to be caused by anything specific, but genetics or medical issues can increase the likelihood of a new mom being affected. Other risk factors are serious anxiety during pregnancy, medical issues both during and after birth and the lack of support from family and friends. If the woman has had a history of depression her risk of developing depression is higher also.

Many women who suffer from postpartum depression improve by taking medication and therapy. Medicine can help balance the chemicals in the brain that affect mood. Your doctor may recommend psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy, as well as interpersonal therapy or mother's support groups. The therapist can assist a mother-to-be understand her feelings and deal with these feelings in a healthy way. The use of medications for depression could be suggested, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline (Zoloft(r)), fluoxetine (Prozac(r)) and paroxetine (Paxil(r)). A newer drug, Brexanolone (Zulresso(r)), is administered via IV over a period of two and a half days in the hospital and starts working quickly. It is safe to use during breastfeeding.

It's normal for people to experience down or sad times after a baby is born however, if the feelings don't go away or become worse and more severe, it's time to visit an expert. If the mother is having thoughts of harming herself or her child, this could be an indication of a more serious form of depression called postpartum psychsis. It is a rare condition.