What is Postpartum Depression? Symptoms & Treatments.
Many new moms experience signs of postpartum depression. For most women, having a baby is a joyous experience; however, some women will develop postpartum depression symptoms after their baby is born.
According to MayoClinic in “Postpartum Depression,” there are three types of postpartum depression: baby blues, postpartum depression, and postpartum psychosis.
Depending on their severity and duration, the signs of postpartum symptoms can suggest the baby blues, postpartum depression, or postpartum psychosis. If you are diagnosed with postpartum psychosis you will be required to stay in a mother and baby unit for treatment.
While postpartum depression signs range from minor to severe, people who suspect a new mother is suffering from more than just the baby blues should seek the help of a qualified medical expert.
Postpartum Baby Blues
‘Baby blues’ is the most common type of postpartum depression. More than half of all new mothers experience the baby blues.
Postpartum depression signs of the baby blues typically include feeling gloomy and irritable with episodes of crying. Having the baby blues is more common in primigravida, women who are pregnant for the first time, and women who suffer from premenstrual tension.
The causes of baby blues, Hollins writes, are probably because of the rapid changes in hormone levels after a woman gives birth.
According to MayoClinic, postpartum signs from the baby blues include mood swings, crying, decreased concentration, anxiety, sadness, irritability, and trouble sleeping.
Postpartum depression symptoms from the baby blues for most women only last a few weeks.
Postpartum Depression
In contrast to the baby blues, postpartum depression, or postnatal depression (PND) is a recognisable mental health condition that is medically treatable.
Hollins states a recent study on postpartum depression revealed that 16% of new mothers developed a depressive episode within eight weeks of giving birth.
Postpartum depression signs, according to Hollins, include persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or emptiness.
Other signs of postpartum depression include frequent crying, feelings of pessimism, guilt, helplessness, worthlessness, irritability, tiredness, insomnia, oversleeping, change in appetite, weight loss, weight gain, loss of concentration, thoughts of death or suicide, chronic pain, and thoughts of hurting the baby.
Postpartum depression may first appear to be the baby blues; however, the signs and symptoms are more intense than the baby blues, and the symptoms last longer.
Eventually, women with postpartum depression will usually have difficulty caring for their babies and accomplishing everyday tasks.
Postpartum Psychosis
Postpartum psychosis is a rare condition. Postpartum psychosis occurs in approximately one to two per 1000 births on average.
Lim states the onset of postpartum psychosis is usually sudden and severe, beginning within the first month after a woman gives birth.
There are, however, some cases of postpartum psychosis that set in later, but for most women, signs of postpartum psychosis begin within three to 14 days after the birth of their babies.
Postpartum psychosis symptoms are more severe than symptoms of the baby blues or postpartum depression.
According to Lim, signs of postpartum psychosis include extreme confusion, hyperactivity, inability to stop activities, delusions, feelings of hopelessness and shame, refusal to eat, fatigue, loss of memory, incoherence, and a preoccupation with trivial things.
Since there is a risk of suicide, infanticide, or both, postpartum psychosis is a medical emergency that requires immediate medication and hospitalisation.
- What Is Postpartum Depression?
- What Are The Symptoms Of Postpartum Depression?
- What Are The Treatments For Postpartum Depression?
- Where To Get Help For Postpartum Depression?
What is Postpartum Depression?
This refers to the mental health of a woman in the postpartum period after the baby is born.
Postpartum Depression is depression suffered by either the Mother or Father following childbirth.
The mother usually has worrying thoughts about the health of their child and feels they are not ‘good enough‘ to be a mum.
Also, you can feel that your baby would be better off without you. It can overwhelm you with concern for your baby.
Thankfully, perinatal mental illnesses are very treatable and only temporary. You can and will recover with proper professional help.
I had a wonderful GP who gave me a brilliant piece of advice. When describing to me what is postpartum depression, she said :
“Postpartum Depression is the same as ‘normal’ depression, the fact that it says ‘Postpartum’ is just to show the time in your life you suffer from it – after your baby. It’s no reflection on your ability as a mother”
PPD affects every 10-15 mothers out of 100. PPD typically starts within the first 12 months after childbirth.
Postpartum Anxiety and Depression are common. 15-20% of new mothers will develop postnatal depression and or anxiety.
Postpartum Psychosis is thankfully rare, only 1-2 out of every 1000 births with result in this diagnosis – 1%.
The numbers may be small, but it is extremely serious.
Usually it happens within a few days of giving birth. It is vital that the mother receive professional health as soon as possible. It can be treated effectively but needs quick treatment.
What Are The Causes Of Postpartum Depression?
There isn’t one thing that causes postpartum depression. It is a combination of different things and events.
In women it typically arises from the combination of hormonal changes, psychological change to motherhood, and fatigue. After birth your hormone levels change quickly this can leave you feeling tired and depressed.
Fatigue is another big cause – when you’re exhausted from the lack of sleep with a newborn, everything is overwhelming and difficult to handle. You may worry if you are good enough to take care of the baby and feel like you have lost ‘you’ and who ‘you’ were. It can be difficult adjusting to a new role.
The first year of motherhood presents a radical shift in a woman’s life. For some, that transformation is relatively seamless and joyful, while for others, it can be quite shocking and traumatic and result in postpartum/postnatal depression (PND).
Round the clock feeding, a difficult birth, social isolation, and the demands of a newborn can all take a toll on a woman’s mental and physical health.
There is no end to the merry-go-round of expectations for a new mother, including negotiating new roles for extended family networks and partners and the responsibility of usually being the child’s ongoing primary carer within the baby’s first year.
Due, in part, to the stress surrounding birth, postpartum depression is one of the most common complications of childbirth, with around 14 % of new mothers experiencing some degree of this condition.
Postpartum depression can also result in various adverse health outcomes for both mother and baby. Yet, there is a taboo surrounding the condition as new mothers are ashamed to admit that life with a baby may not be as blissful as they imagined.
As a result of this taboo suffering, mothers are alienated even further by expectations that they continually revel in joy about their new role, making honesty about their feelings very difficult.
One of the greatest difficulties in assessing postpartum depression is separating the normal upheavals associated with becoming a mother from the more severe and ongoing symptoms.
Risk Factors That Increase Chance Of Developing Postpartum Depression.
Postpartum depression has several risk factors that expectant mothers should know during pregnancy. Find out if you are at risk for postpartum depression.
However, some woman may already be at risk of developing postpartum depression because of high-risk factors already in their life.
While the exact causes of postpartum depression are complex, there are various factors that can compound the condition, including; difficult birth, feeding complications, childhood developmental delays, financial stress, and relationship issues.
Postpartum Depression or PPD (also referred to as Postpartum Mood Disorders) is, in many ways, still a mystery illness. Even though mild and temporary baby blues occur to the majority (as much as 80%) of new mothers, we know little about it.
And very few mothers think much about postpartum depression during pregnancy since they are more likely to be planning for birth or thinking about the baby.
How do you know during pregnancy if you are at risk for developing postpartum mood disorders?
Here are some known risk factors of postpartum depression to be aware of:
Risk Factors Include :
- an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy
- money problems
- no family or friends close by to be a support network
- baby is born with health problems or complications
- you have twins (double the stress and worry)
- you have bipolar disorder
- you have having trouble with the father of the baby
- you have a history of depression
- your family has a history of depression or other mental illnesses
- you’ve suffered from postpartum depression before
- you’ve had stressful events happen recently such as losing your job
- you’ve suffered stress recently from the death of a loved one
Depression symptoms during your pregnancy – Some women might develop depression for the first time in the prenatal period.
Previous depression before pregnancy – You might have experienced depression as a teenager or young adult prior to becoming pregnant.
Lack of social support – One example of this would be if you have moved from your family recently. Or you might not have a group of supportive friends or family in place ready to help in the postpartum period.
Marital dissatisfaction – Perhaps a spouse is not planning to take an active role, or there has been difficulty in your marriage recently where you are feeling a lack of support.
Unwanted pregnancy – Is this pregnancy a surprise and not at all want you planned at this time of your life?
History of sexual abuse – This is a difficult circumstance to overcome and, much like other trauma, can revisit mothers not only during birth but also in the postpartum period, often increasing the mother’s chance of postpartum depression.
Traumatic birth experience – In some cases, mothers feel that not only was the birth a disappointment, but the memory of it created the trauma.
High expectations of birth/parenting – Are you trying too hard to be super Mom or do everything perfectly? This can more likely lead to postpartum depression.
Physical problems with baby – Many times, there is a long period of grief and depression if there are short or long-term health issues with the baby.
Problems getting along with health care providers – It is not uncommon for mothers to feel depressed if they are not communicating well or feeling a sense of betrayal as a result of working with health care providers.
Age of mother is 16 years or younger – PPD is more common in teenagers.
Having a baby of undesired sex – This is especially true in other cultures where the gender of the baby has much greater importance.
Carrying Multiples – According to a 2001 study, mothers carrying multiples had a 43% higher chance of postpartum depression than mothers with singleton pregnancies.
Do any of these risk factors match your situation? The more risk factors you have, the more important it is to research the various symptoms of postpartum mood disorders and options for treatment.
If you’ve had postpartum depression before, it’s important to tell your doctor when you are trying to conceive again or when you become pregnant again. They will be to give you help and guidance to help you not suffer so much this time around.
It has been known for doctors to prescribe antidepressants straight after birth to reduce symptoms
There is also a range of myths about the condition, much of which can be fuelled by self-diagnosis on the internet and can delay effective treatment.
Some popular myths surrounding PND, including:
- PND is more common in white, western women
- PND is not serious and will go away on its own
- Mothers with postpartum depression can’t take antidepressants while breastfeeding.
- Mothers who suffer from the condition are disconnected from their children.
What Are the Symptoms of Postpartum Depression?
Many of the symptoms of postpartum depression are the same as the baby blues.
However, they last longer and are worse in severity.
They can affect your ability to look after yourself and the baby.
Postpartum depression usually starts within the first few weeks after birth, but there have been cases of women who have shown no symptoms up to a year after the birth.
The main symptoms that are common to postpartum depression are:
- feelings of unhappiness and low mood
- finding it difficult to bond with your baby
- poor appetite
- loss of libido
- insomnia
- low self-esteem
- depressed mood
- feelings of guilt
- anxiety
- tiredness
- loss of interest in normal activities
- loss of enjoyment in normal activities
- not interacting with other people
- severe mood swings
- panic attacks
- aches and pains
- loss of concentration
- feelings of hopelessness
- feeling unable to cope
- frightening thoughts about self harm and or suicide
- frightening thoughts about harming the baby
- excessive crying
- finding it difficult to think clearly
How Postpartum Depression Is Diagnosed
Postpartum Depression is diagnosed by a discussion with you about how you are feeling and also something called the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Quiz.
It is important to answer all of your doctor’s questions honestly as well as the ones in the quiz. There are no right or wrong answers, the test is designed to get you the help you need.
You can take a test here to see if you may be suffering postpartum depression – it’s useful to take the results of the test with you to the doctors.
Also download the checklist below to see if you have the symptoms of postpartum depression. Print this off, fill it in as show your health visitor or GP.
Advice For Those Who Suspect They May Be Suffering
While there is still much to learn about the causes and treatment of postpartum depression, the medical profession agrees that early identification leads to early treatment.
Women who are suffering from ongoing symptoms should see their doctor receive treatment, which may include counselling and psychotherapy and/or the prescription of antidepressant drugs.
Women who don’t get this help may delay their condition, with postpartum depression lingering well into the second year. They may also lose the full enjoyment of precious moments that can never come again in their child’s life.
Mothers who suspect they may suffer from the condition should book an appointment with their doctor to receive immediate treatment.
What Are The Treatments For Postpartum Depression?
- Talking Therapy
- Antidepressants
- Self-Help
- Online Help
Talking Therapy
Talking through your thoughts and feeling with a councillor can help you understand and recover from what you are experiencing. It helps you to identify what is affecting your postpartum depression and how to improve these situations.
Your GP may also recommend Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). CBT helps you identify the negative thoughts and helps you stop the negative thinking and helps you think in a more positive way. CBT can be given one-to one or in a group.
Antidepressants
Your GP may recommend a course of antidepressants if you are suffering from moderate to severe postpartum depression. For postpartum depression, most have a course for six to 9 months.
You should take them for a long as your GP advice, as if you stop too soon it may return. Most people struggle with a few symptoms for the first 2 weeks – such as nausea.
After your body has got used to them, they will work and you’ll feel much better. They take two to four weeks to kick so give them a chance.
Usually the first couple of weeks will suck but I promise you it’s gets so much better – just hang on in there. There have been major studies that show that antidepressants do work with treating depression, so please consider them as an option.
Self-Help
Eating a healthy diet and exercise can really help recovery from postpartum depression.
It’s also good to take a break from your childcare duties and have some you time.
Most importantly you should practise self care for mums is a must.
Therefore, you need to make time for yourself to rest and get a good night’s sleep. If you’re having trouble sleeping, make an appointment with your GP.
During the day get out and about and get some fresh air and a brisk walk is also beneficial.
Talk with family and friends about your feelings and ways they can help and support you. Starting a journal or self-care book can also be really useful – studies have shown that writing your feelings are a great form of self help.
You can also get support and encouragement from other mums online who have been in a similar position to you – group support is very effective.
Online Help
The online world has evolved rapidly, and I’m pleased to say you can now receive great help and support for postpartum depression online.
These are some ways you can access help online.
- Postpartum Depression Support Blogs
- Online Counselling
- Peer To Peer Group Support
The benefits of choosing online counselling sessions for postpartum depression are that you can do them at a time that suits you and without leaving the house.
This can be especially useful for those of us who work shifts, have trouble getting out of the house, or have no-one to help watch over the kids.
Online peer-to-peer support is amazing for helping you through rough patches and giving you the motivation you need.
Where To Get Help For Postpartum Depression?
Your first points of contact should be your GP and Health Visitor.
They have seen mums in the same position as you and have helped them through it. They will start you off on your recovery.
Your GP may recommend some medication, and will also be able to offer alternative methods of recovery.
Remember, having postpartum depression does not mean you are a bad mother or that you cannot cope – you may feel this way but it doesn’t make it true.
You can also get support online from other mums who have had postpartum depression and recovered. This can be really beneficial as they know how you are feeling as they have been there and also you can see there is hope and things to get easier and that it is possible to recover.
Check out this twitter chat that happens every week on Wednesday at 8pm(GMT). Just go to Twitter and type in#PNDHour to join in.
It helped me so much, especially at the start. I was amazed by how many other mums had postpartum depression and it was good to know I wasn’t alone.
You can read about how I felt here in My Postpartum Depression Recovery Story.
Are There Any Charities For Postpartum Depression?
If you want to read more about what is postpartum depression, symptoms and treatments, or if you’d like some help, then these charities can offer you advice and support on Postpartum Illness. They also give you more information on what is postpartum depression and other maternal mental illnesses :
If you feel any of the above, you may suffer from postpartum depression – it is important to seek help from your GP / Health Visitor.
If you are looking for more information on postpartum depression, these posts can help.
The Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale – PPD Questionnaire
How To Overcome Postpartum Depression
List Of Mother and Baby Units UK