Postpartum Depression
Depression is feeling unhappy, sad or in other words feeling blue. If this feeling continues for prolonged spells it is called as clinical depression. Such a state occurring after child birth is called as postpartum depression and this can occur within a year of delivery. Reasons for Postpartum depression could be lack of sleep, sudden change in routine or loss of identity due to excessive weight gain. Apart from these a sudden drop in the level of hormones – Progesterone and estrogen bring about changes in the mood. Levels of thyroid hormone may also drop after the delivery of a child. If the depression is caused about by changes in thyroid it is easily identifiable by blood tests and curable by medications.
The following conditions could lead to postpartum depression
- A lack of support from family or friends when it is most needed during pregnancy.
- Postpartum depression suffers are often from a family history of mental illness as heredity plays a major role.
- The unborn child may be a source of anxiety.
- Marital problems
- Financial problems
- Young age of the mother.
The above given factors are not causative factors but people in such conditions might get depressed post pregnancy.
Symptoms of postpartum depression
Identification of postpartum depression
Three kinds of conditions occur upon the arrival of a baby in a mothers’ life. Baby blues occur a few days after childbirth and the mother feels sad, experiences sudden mood swings, feels irritated, lonely and restless. These symptoms disappear in a few days’ times. A few days time may mean a period of ten days. Help by spouse and family is much needed in these times. Post partum depression is different from baby blues in the sense that the mother is affected for long durations and she needs medical help to overcome this. She is filled with a feeling of guilt, worthlessness, energy loss and lack of concentration. Postpartum psychosis often affects people who have psychiatric problems.
Treatment of postpartum depression
Medicines followed by talk therapy cures postpartum depression. Treating postpartum depression is very important but mothers who breast feed the baby should consult the doctors about possible side effects of the medicine harming the baby. Medication followed by talk therapy is important otherwise the whole family suffers with the depression affecting the mother. Talk therapy is successful only when the doctor and the patient are open to each other. Discussing close and personal problems is difficult but with concentrated effort psychotherapy proves effective. The depressed mother is often incapable of expressing love and affection which would further affect the psychological development of the baby.