What is Postpartum Depression?

What is postpartum depression? Postpartum depression occurs weeks or even months after birth of the baby. It is usually difficult to detect as the symptoms tend to resemble those of normal post-natal depression.

Some common symptoms and signs associated with postpartum depression include lack of interest in sexual intercourse, sleeping difficulties, irritability, loss of interest in activities, feelings of sadness or loneliness, fatigue, headaches, mood swings, crying spells, lack of pleasure in sex and difficulty getting up in the mornings.

Most women who have suffered this kind of depression find it very hard to resume their usual active lifestyle. If these symptoms are present and persistent for two or more weeks, it is best to consult a doctor.

How is postpartum depression diagnosed? The diagnosis is done through observation and experience. A licensed mental health professional, who has dealt with postpartum problems in the past, may be able to relate the experiences of a woman when she gives birth to her current state of mind.

A physical examination will also help the doctor to determine if the woman has suffered any permanent damages as a result of childbirth. A thorough medical examination will also reveal if the mother has any hormonal or nutritional imbalance that could cause postpartum anxiety or depression.

How can postpartum anxiety and depression are treated? New mothers, who have not yet experienced the joys of parenthood, tend to suffer from postpartum depression as a result of their inability to cope up with the sudden change in their lives.

Fortunately, there are several treatments available for postpartum anxiety. It is advisable to take your child to a qualified pediatrician, preferably one who specializes in treating children. The doctor may prescribe medication to lessen the symptoms of depression and to help the new mothers deal with their emotions.

Postpartum Depression Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms of postpartum depression are different for women than they are for men. The following paragraphs will give you a general idea of what postpartum depression symptoms are, but in order to get a true diagnosis, it is important to speak with a doctor.

This can be very difficult for some women because they feel that the symptoms are too similar to those of their own menstrual cycle.

A doctor can rule out any serious underlying issues with your mental health and physical well-being by ruling out any other health problems that may be causing your depression, like a physical illness or hormonal imbalance.

Signs and symptoms of postpartum depression symptoms vary, and they may range from mild to more severe. Some signs that you might be experiencing are: crying spells.

Other signs and symptoms may include: Irritability. You may also feel restless, distracted or sleepless. Excessive sleepiness and fatigue may also be signs of postpartum depression symptoms.

It is important to keep an eye out for these signs, since there are many women experience these. Your doctor should be able to help you figure out if you are indeed experiencing postpartum depression symptoms.

Some women experience depression after having a baby, and others only experience it several months after the baby is born. It is normal for you to experience feelings of depression when you have lost your baby, just like it is natural to experience sadness or feelings of failure, even if you have never experienced them before.

Understanding that you are actually feeling bad about your loss is the first step towards getting treatment for your depression.

What Causes Postpartum Depression?

What causes postpartum depression is a question that has many different answers depending on who you ask. The truth of the matter is that women and men experience postpartum depression in unique ways.

Men may be more prone to having trouble dealing with the actual physical symptoms of depression such as headaches, stomach pains, anxiety, dizziness, and insomnia.

On the other hand, many women may have more complicated feelings such as guilt, hopelessness, and intense sadness that do not easily go away.

Typical symptoms of postpartum depression are: feeling depressed, hopeless, frightened, or worried. Women who have just given birth also tend to experience postpartum depression that can be longer lasting than those that go through it after giving birth to one child.

If you notice any of these symptoms persisting for more than two weeks, you may want to seek professional help. There are a few different theories on what causes postpartum depression and this can include hormonal changes, chemical imbalances, stress, and changes in diet and exercise habits.

The good news is that the vast majority of women that get pregnant and then experience postpartum depression will get better without any treatment. It is important that you stay in touch with your doctor to make sure that what causes postpartum depression is not affecting you or your baby.

Once you have had some time to gather your thoughts and have found that nothing needs to be done, you may begin to try to find what caused the depression.

Remember, if you feel like you are losing it and the feelings are overwhelming you, there is no need to seek help until you have gone through the postpartum blues.

What is Postpartum Blues, and How Long Does Postpartum Blues Last?

What is postpartum blues is not a very easy question to answer since there are so many variables involved? Postpartum blue is a troublesome time for mothers that will require much gentle care for the suffering mother.

During this time which researchers suggest actually lasts up to six months, your body will experience several changes, from healing after childbirth to hormonal mood swings.

There have been studies which show that a woman can get postpartum depression after giving birth, and may stay in this state of mind up to a year.

One study however, demonstrated that women who breastfeed for six months experienced no greater psychological distress than women who chose to bottle feeding.

So, therefore, the best advice one can offer any mother is probably to breastfeed until around four to six months after the baby comes into the world.

On the other hand, there are a lot of cases of women going through what is postpartum blues which last for only 2 months.

If you do go through this then it’s advisable that you should see your doctor immediately. Your doctor may prescribe some hormones to help calm the process of the blues but in most cases this only helps in managing the blues.

There are also some powerful antidepressants available that your doctor may prescribe but these also only treat the symptoms and not the cause of the blues.

Hence, the best advice is that if you do suffer from what is postpartum blues, see your doctor straight away. It could save you lots of agony and time and the results will ameliorate your condition immensely.

Types Of Postpartum Depression Treatment

You will find various types of methods used for treating postpartum depression treatment, including medication. It is always advisable to try out natural methods before you opt for any medicines.

Various medications help in reducing the level of stress and fatigue, which are common symptoms of postpartum depression. They also make a woman feel more relaxed.

Yoga exercise, massage, hypnosis, herbal treatments, aromatherapy, meditation, deep breathing, tai chi, and acupuncture are some alternative methods that have gained popularity as postpartum depression treatment methods. These natural methods allow you to get relief from symptoms such as irritability, moodiness and anxiety.

If you follow a healthy lifestyle, you can lower your chances of suffering from postpartum depression. You must ensure that your health status is at its best, especially if you are expecting a baby.

Avoiding alcohol, cigarettes and aerated drinks should also be a part of your daily routine. Smoking should be avoided at all costs since it increases the level of stress and reduces your energy levels.

There are several postpartum depression treatment options, but only natural methods are guaranteed to work on your body and mind.

Yoga exercise, massage, and hypnosis are some natural methods that have gained popularity as postpartum depression treatment methods.

These methods help you relax and deal with stress. If you follow a healthy lifestyle, you can lower your chances of suffering from postpartum depression. Avoid smoking, drinking, and aerated drinks.

Where To Find Counselors For Postpartum depression

If you have a friend or relative who seems to be off to a great start as a new mother but from time to time have severe bouts of depression, they may need a mental health intervention guided by a licensed therapist.

There are counselors in a variety of fields and you can find a mental health counselor by searching around our directory here.

Some mental health centers that can help you out a great deal are outreach centers for new mothers, military counselors for veterans, and private mental health facilities.

You can find mental health counselors in schools, colleges, and universities. If you go to a school and you see someone that seems to have problems dealing with postpartum blues, and they aren’t getting any better, quickly get them the help that they need.

You can find a mental health counselor by searching here for them and this will pull up many therapists in your local area.

You will be able to narrow your search to the ones that you feel could work best. Once you find a mental health counselor that you feel would be a good fit for you, then you can contact the counselor and arrange an initial meeting.

The counselor will be able to evaluate you and tell you how serious of an issue you may have. He or she will be able to give you an in-depth talk about what it is that you are dealing with.

You will want to work out a budget so that you will know how much money you will be spending on the sessions with the counselor.

The mental health counselor will be able to help you with getting the treatment that you require so that you will be back to normal quickly.

Remember to find a mental health counselor that you feel comfortable with because remember you will be sharing these private sessions with this person every day for the next year or so. Make sure that you feel comfortable with this counselor before you let them into your life.