Postpartum Depression Symptoms (Lester-Kirkland-2.Blogbright.Net)

Many new mothers experience a brief moment of despair and sadness after the birth of their baby, called the "baby blues." It's crucial to talk to your doctor or health care professional about your feelings.

In some cases the mother of a newborn may be diagnosed with something more grave known as postpartum psychosis. This may cause hallucinations, lack of sleep and thoughts of harming herself or the baby. Hospitalization is usually required.

1. Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness

If you feel hopeless or worthless, you should seek immediate help from an expert in mental health. It is also important to tell your doctor if you think about suicide or have thoughts of hurting your child or yourself. These are serious signs that should not be overlooked. These symptoms can also be an indication of more severe forms of postpartum depression disorders, such as postpartum schizophrenia.

The most commonly used method to treat PPD is with antidepressant medication. This helps to regulate the chemicals in your brain that affect mood. Your doctor will decide on the best medication for you based upon your symptoms and whether you are breastfeeding. Talk therapy is another standard treatment. Your doctor may recommend specific therapy methods, such as cognitive behavior therapy or interpersonal therapy. Certain support groups assist women with PPD.

Other methods include rest and avoiding unnecessary visitors. It is important to sleep enough and a good night's sleep while the baby sleeps can be beneficial. Exercise can improve your mood. Finding a network of family members and friends to assist with childcare and housework can be very beneficial.

It's important to remember that being depressed does not mean you're an unloving mother or that you don't love your child. It's not a mental disorder. It's a medical condition that requires treatment. It is possible to feel better after treatment and feel more energetic to care for your child. Untreated depression can affect the relationship between a new mother and her baby and could lead to serious health issues for both baby and mommy. Women of color have a higher risk of postpartum depression than white women. This could be due to the fact that they are less likely to seek help and receive a diagnosis.

2. Feelings of anger or anger

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) does not mention anger or rage as symptoms of PPD, but these feelings are quite common. Anger can be triggered by a number of things, such as rapid changes in hormone levels, sleep deprivation and anxieties about being new mommy. If you're experiencing these emotions it's crucial to speak to your doctor, who might conduct a depression test during your follow-up visit following delivery.

You can also seek help from a therapist or a support group. It's also essential to let people know how you're feeling to allow them to offer help. Offer help with cleaning, cooking babysitting, running errands and so on. If someone offers to take care of the baby while you nap, take them up on it. Spend time with people who understand your feelings like family and friends, or newly mothers in a mothers group.

If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or the baby, it's an emergency situation and you should contact 911 or your healthcare professional right now. That's a serious sign of postpartum psychosis. It's a rare but severe medical condition that can be associated with PPD.

If you know a friend or family member who is having these feelings, help them to seek medical assistance. Suggest that they talk to their doctor or join a therapist support group, and offer the opportunity to accompany them to the appointment as a support worker. You could also offer other services to help, like offer to babysit or run for errands, or go on playdates and outings with your children. You can also participate in things you enjoy and make time to eat well and get enough sleep.

3. Feelings of guilt or worthlessness

Many new moms experience feelings such as depression, anxiety, fatigue, loneliness or irritation after childbirth. These feelings are often called the baby blues, and may last for a few days or weeks after the birth. But if these physical symptoms of depression last for more than two weeks, are getting worse, impede your ability to take care of the baby or yourself, or include thoughts of harming yourself or the baby, you may be suffering from postpartum depression (PPD). In your postpartum appointment your doctor will evaluate your condition and refer you to a mental health professional when required. If you are having thoughts of suicide or harming the baby, call 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline immediately.

It is important to keep in mind that it is not your fault if you have PPD, irrespective of what caused it. Perinatal depression can be triggered by a variety of factors such as hormonal changes, lack of sleep and emotional or family issues. You are at a higher risk if depression or anxiety occurred during pregnancy or before, and if there is a family history.

Certain women are more vulnerable to postpartum depression. This is particularly the case if they experience more severe symptoms, such as feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness or thoughts of harming themselves or their baby. These symptoms can indicate a more severe disorder known as postpartum psychosis, which can be dangerous for both you and your baby. It is a psychiatric crisis and must be treated in the hospital. Call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room. It is crucial to have a support system in place. Find family and friends who can assist with household chores and childcare and other the occasional errands.

4. Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness

If the feelings of despair, sadness or hopelessness persist for more than two weeks this could be a sign that something more serious is occurring. Postpartum psychosis can be a more serious condition that can trigger these feelings. This is a serious mental illness that can trigger hallucinations, delusions and paranoia. Women who experience these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention, either by calling an emergency hotline, seeing their doctor, or by going to the emergency room.

Women suffering from PPD may feel guilt or shame about the way they feel. They may believe that their feelings are reflected on their children or they're terrible mothers. However there is nothing they've done or failed to do that causes their depression. It is caused by a mix of hormonal and environmental factors that are out of their control.

PPD can be treated and can disappear if the treatment is done. This could include psychotherapy or talk therapy with a therapist like psychologist, psychiatrist or mental health counselor. Sometimes, medication may be prescribed. Certain antidepressants can be used while breastfeeding. Women should also get as much support and rest as they can throughout this time. You can seek help with household chores family members, a partner, or even join a mothers' support group. They should also eat healthy exercise, get enough sleep, and also visit their healthcare provider regularly for checkups.

5. Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness

If a woman is having feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, it's important to talk to her doctor immediately. These are serious signs that could be a sign of postpartum depression and should not be dismissed. These feelings are more severe than baby blues and may prevent a new mother taking care of her or her child. If left untreated the depression may get worse and develop into a major depression disorder. It can also affect the bond between mothers and their children and the relationship within the family.

Postpartum depression isn't known to be caused by a specific factor however, medical or genetic factors can increase the chance of a new mom experiencing it. Other risk factors include serious stress during the pregnancy, medical problems during pregnancy and after birth and a absence of support from family and friends. The risk for a woman increases when she has a history with depression.

The majority of women suffering from postpartum depression depressive disorder symptoms get better through therapy and medication. Medicine can help balance the chemicals in the brain that influence mood. Your doctor can suggest psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy, or a mother's support group. Therapists can assist a mother-to-be learn to understand her feelings and deal with these feelings in a healthy way. Treatments for depression might also be recommended, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline (Zoloft(r)) or the fluoxetine (Prozac(r)) and paroxetine (Paxil(r)). A newer medication, called brexanolone (Zulresso(r)), is administered by IV over two and a half days at the hospital and works quickly. It is safe to take when you are breastfeeding.

It's normal for people to experience down or sad times after the birth of a baby, but if these feelings don't go away or worsen, it's time to see an expert. It's particularly important to consult an expert in the event that a mother is contemplating of hurting her child or herself, which are signs and symptoms of depression of more serious depression called postpartum psychosis. It's a rare condition.