postpartum depression symptoms (read this)

The "baby blues" is a common feeling experienced by mothers who have just had the birth of their baby. It is essential to speak to your doctor or health visitor to discuss these feelings.

In some cases the mother of a newborn may develop something even more serious: postpartum psychosis. It can trigger hallucinations, lack of sleep and thoughts of harming herself or the baby. Hospitalization is sometimes required.

1. Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness

If you feel a sense of despair or a sense of worthlessness this is a sign that you need to see an expert in mental health warning signs health immediately. It is also important to tell your doctor if there is a thought about suicide or think of harming your child or yourself. These are very dangerous symptoms and should not be overlooked. They could also be a sign of other severe types of postpartum depression, like postpartum psychosis.

Antidepressant medications are the most common treatment for PPD. This helps to regulate the chemicals in your brain that affect mood. Your doctor will decide on the most effective medication for you based upon your symptoms as well as whether you are breastfeeding. Talk therapy is also a standard treatment. Your doctor may recommend the use of a specific therapy method like cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapy. Some support groups also help women suffering from PPD.

Other methods include rest and avoiding unnecessary visitors. The act of sleeping while your baby is asleep can aid in getting enough sleep. Exercise can boost your mood. Making a network of friends and family members to assist with childcare and housework can be very helpful.

It is important to keep in mind that feeling depressed doesn't necessarily mean that you're an unloving mother or that you do not love your child. It's a normal medical issue that needs treatment. You'll feel better after treatment and be more energized to care for your child. Untreated depression can also affect the relationship between a mother and her baby and cause serious health problems for both the mom and baby. Women of color are at higher risks of suffering from postpartum depression compared with white women. This could be due to the fact that they are less likely to seek treatment and get diagnosed.

2. Feelings of anger or rage

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) does not list anger or rage as a sign of PPD, but these feelings are not uncommon. Anger can be triggered by a variety of things, including rapid changes in hormone levels, sleep deprivation and worries about being new mommy. If you're experiencing these emotions it's best to talk to your doctor. The doctor may conduct a depression screening during your postpartum follow-up.

You can also get help from a therapist or a support group. It's important to let people know how you're feeling, to allow them to offer help. Ask for assistance with food, babysitting, cleaning and running through errands. You can take advantage of anyone who offers to watch your baby while you nap. Make sure you spend time with others who understand how you're feeling, like friends and family members, or other new moms in the mothers' group.

If you're thinking of harming yourself or your baby, it's an emergency and you must call 911 or your healthcare provider immediately. This is a sign of postpartum psychiasis, which is a rare, but serious medical condition that can be associated with PPD.

Encourage your friend or family member who is suffering from these feelings to seek medical care. Encourage them to talk to their healthcare professional or join a therapist support group and invite them to accompany them to their appointment as a support worker. You could also offer other services to help, such as offering to babysit or run for errands, or go on outings and playdates with the children. You can also set aside time to do activities you like, eat healthy and rest as much as you need.

3. Feelings of guilt, shame and a sense of inadequacy

Many new mothers experience feelings of anxiety, sadness or fatigue, loneliness, anger after having children. They're sometimes referred to as baby blues and can last for some days or weeks following delivery. But if these symptoms last more than two weeks, are getting worse, hinder your ability to care for the baby or yourself or if you have thoughts of hurting yourself or the baby, you may be suffering from postpartum depression (PPD). In your postpartum appointment your doctor will examine your condition and recommend you to a mental health specialist should it be necessary. Contact 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline if you are contemplating harming your baby or suicide.

It is important to keep in mind that it is not your fault that you have PPD, irrespective of what caused it. Many factors could be involved in the development of perinatal depression, such as hormonal changes, lack of sleep and family and emotional issues. You are at an increased risk of developing depression or anxiety if it was present during pregnancy or prior to, and if there is a family history.

Some women have more difficulty managing postpartum depression, particularly if they are suffering from the more severe symptoms, such as feelings of despair and hopelessness or thoughts of harming themselves or the baby. These are subtle signs of depression of a more serious problem known as postpartum psychosis and can be very harmful for both you and your baby. This is a psychiatric emergency that needs to be treated in a hospital. Contact 911 or go directly to the nearest emergency department. It is crucial to have a support system in place. Seek out friends and family who are willing to help with childcare, housework and other errands.

4. Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness

If the woman's feelings of teenage depression symptoms, despair, sadness, or worthlessness continue to persist for more than two weeks, it could be a sign of something more serious than the baby blues. They could also indicate a more serious illness known as postpartum psychosis. This is a very serious mental illness that can lead to delusions (thoughts or beliefs that are not true), hallucinations (seeing, hearing or smelling things that aren't there) as well as the condition known as mania (a exuberant and elated mood that seems out of touch with reality) and paranoia. Women suffering from these symptoms should seek medical attention immediately, either by calling a hotline, visiting their doctor or visiting the emergency room.

Women with PPD can often feel shame or guilt about the way they are feeling. They may believe that their feelings reflect on their children or they're horrible mothers. But, 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 outside psychological signs of depression their control.

PPD can be treated and will usually disappear if the treatment is done. This could involve psychotherapy- or talk therapy with a psychologist, psychiatrist or a mental health counselorand sometimes medication. Some antidepressants are safe to take while breastfeeding. Women should also try to get as much rest and support as they can during this period. You can ask for help with household chores family members, a partner, or even join a mothers support group. They should also eat a balanced diet, exercise and get enough sleep, and also visit their healthcare provider regularly for checkups.

5. Feelings of hopelessness or despair

If a woman is experiencing feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness It is crucial to talk to her doctor immediately. These symptoms could indicate postpartum depressive disorder and should not go unnoticed. These feelings can be more severe than baby blues and can keep mothers from taking care of herself or her baby. Untreated depression can become more severe and can even turn into a major depression. It could also hinder the bonding between a mother and child and also the family's relationship.

It's unclear what causes postpartum primary depression symptoms, however, genetics and medical conditions can increase a mother's chances of getting it. Other risk factors include stress during the pregnancy, medical issues during pregnancy and post-birth and the absence of support from family and friends. If the woman has a history of depression, her risk of developing depression is higher also.

The majority of women suffering from postpartum depression get better through therapy and medication. Medicine helps to balance the chemical levels in the brain that influence mood. Your doctor can recommend psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapy or a support group for mothers. The therapist will help the new mother to comprehend her feelings, and how to deal with them. The use of medications for depression could be recommended, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as sertraline (Zoloft(r)) and the fluoxetine (Prozac(r)) and paroxetine (Paxil(r)). A newer medication, called Brexanolone (Zulresso(r)), is given by IV over two-and-a-half days in the hospital and works quickly. It is safe to take during breastfeeding.

It's normal to experience down or sad times following the birth of a child, but if these feelings don't go away or worsen and more severe, it's time to visit a doctor. If the mother is having thoughts of harming herself or her child it could be an indication of a more serious type of depression, known as postpartum psychosis. It is a rare disorder.