Identifying And Treating Postpartum Depression

While the arrival of a baby is a very emotional moment for the family, some mothers may experience an inexplicable and intense sense of sadness that persists over time. Today we want to delve deeper into this topic and talk about how to identify and treat postpartum depression.

According to a study by the Autonomous University  of Barcelona, ​​this type of depression affects 10-15% of women (Spanish link). Just because a woman wants to have a baby and has planned her pregnancy doesn’t mean she can’t have postpartum depression.

Apparently, the sudden drop in hormones the body experiences after birth can be a major trigger for this condition. However, it is not the only factor that contributes to the development of postpartum depression, also known as postpartum depression.

One of the most difficult aspects of postpartum depression can be dealing with social and family prejudice. That’s because, despite it being a common problem, there are still many people who reject and misunderstand this condition.

As a result, many women suppress their feelings in order to look happy and happy. Let’s dig deeper into this problem.

What exactly is postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that usually occurs after childbirth. It can even develop two to three months later. It is characterized by extreme sadness, a feeling of physical and mental exhaustion, anxiety and general malaise. These symptoms can last for several weeks or last for months.

At first, it’s easy to confuse this condition with postpartum grief. The difference, however, is that with postpartum depression, the symptoms are more intense and prolonged. In addition, they hinder the mother’s ability to care for the baby and perform everyday tasks.

In this way, women often have great difficulty building a bond with their child. And all that comes on top of feelings of being worthless and not being a good mother.

Many women are ashamed of how they feel and do not ask for help. A big part of the reason for that is society’s conception of the birth of a baby. It is considered a time of joy and excitement.

However, it is important to keep in mind that there is no right way to handle motherhood. That’s why it’s important to ask for help when we’re not feeling well.

Symptoms

As we mentioned, it can be difficult to differentiate between postpartum depression and a simple response to the fatigue and stress of motherhood. However, when a state of intense sadness and despair arises, this problem can be considered. Some of the main symptoms include:

• Feelings of sadness, emptiness and hopelessness.
• Crying intensely and for a long time without knowing why.

• Loss of interest in activities that were fun.
• Excessive worry about this new phase.
• Inability to bond with the baby.
• Sleeping problems at night and sleepiness during the day.
• Lack of appetite, or overeating due to anxiety.
• Feelings of guilt or uselessness.
• Agitation or laziness.
• Loss of concentration and difficulty in making decisions.
• Constant irritation or anger.
• Social isolation and family isolation.
• Loss of interest in caring for the baby.
• Feeling very tired and unable to get out of bed.

How can you treat postpartum depression?

It is difficult to determine how long postpartum depression will last. However, most cases of this condition improve within a few weeks. Doctors say it’s important to treat postpartum depression early to prevent symptoms from continuing for longer.

The treatment of postpartum depression is very similar to the treatment of any other type of depression. However, before resorting to medication, doctors usually recommend psychological therapy sessions, especially when the mother is breastfeeding the baby.

Psychotherapy can take place individually or in groups. If necessary, it is advisable to also opt for family therapy. In this way, the problems can be worked on together with the couple or certain close relatives.

In addition, the mother should rest well and eat healthy. Constantly adopting healthy habits helps to improve mood and also reduce the risk of relapse.

Strategies to Prevent Postpartum Depression

There are several factors that can lead to postpartum depression. Therefore, it is difficult to determine whether this is preventable. However, by taking certain aspects into account before and after delivery, you can try to minimize the risk. Some positive measures include:

• Sleep well every day and try to rest if you need to.
• Seek support from other mothers who have experienced the same problems.
• Take a daily walk and take advantage of the exercise and the fresh air.
• Don’t make comparisons with other people’s situation.
• Simplify the household chores as much as possible. This is no time to make everything shine.
• Postpone visits to use the time to rest.
• Eat foods that improve your mood.
• Increase your intake of water and other healthy drinks such as juices, broths, herbal teas.
• Spend time on your relationship with your partner.
• Find distractions such as shopping, watching a movie, dining out with the family.
• Practice relaxation methods such as yoga and do deep breathing exercises.

• Work on self-esteem.
• Resolve doubts about motherhood.

Think you have any of the symptoms of postpartum depression? Don’t ignore this one! Even if you’re concerned about what others might think, you should ask for help to manage and overcome postpartum depression. If you suppress how you feel, it can get worse over time.