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What is Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression is a form of depressive disorder that affects women after the birth of a child. You can also come across the term “postnatal depression”. It negatively affects the condition of both the mother and the child. Despite the skepticism of many people towards this kind of mental disorders, they are quite serious and require qualified treatment. Depression develops during the first months after the last birth.
According to statistics, up to 13% of all women in the postpartum period suffer from it. Most often, postpartum depression occurs in those women who suffered from depressive disorders in the past. They account for up to 50% of all episodes. Studies in this area indicate that up to 70% of all women suffer from a mild form of depression after childbirth.
Causes of postpartum depression
Among the risk factors leading to the development of postpartum depression in a woman, the following can be distinguished:
Heredity. If a woman’s mother experienced a similar state after she was born, then it is possible that the woman herself will react in a similar way to severe stressful situations;
Hormonal changes that occur in the body. During the gestation of the fetus in every woman, the blood level of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone increases several tens of times. When a newborn is born, the concentration of these hormones begins to decline sharply. During the first three days, they return to normal levels. These jumps can negatively affect the psychological state of a woman. In addition, recent studies indicate that there is a relationship between depression that occurs after childbirth and the level of the hormone prolactin. Immediately after the birth of the child, it drops sharply, and then, over the course of several weeks, rises;
The hormones produced by the adrenal glands, namely cortisol and aldosterone, also affect the psychological state of a woman. Fluctuations in their level in the blood are reflected in the occurrence of a depressive disorder. Moreover, it was found: the brighter the symptoms of PMS in a particular woman, the stronger the depression after childbirth;
Stress. The excitement that a woman experiences after the birth of a child, associated with the increased load on her, cannot but affect her emotional state. In addition, sleep is disturbed, it becomes restless and short, there is physical overwork, which also aggravates the problem;
Predisposition to depressive disorders. In this case, we are talking about the propensity of a woman to such conditions. That is, if depression took place before childbirth, then it is more likely to occur after them. At the same time, women who are prone to depression will suffer from it after the second and after the third birth;
Poor social status and low levels of well-being are aggravating factors. This also includes unemployment, lack of own housing or poor living conditions;
Premature birth or illness of the child can lead to feelings of guilt, which often transforms into depression;
Psychological problems in marriage;
Premature discharge from the maternity hospital, when a woman has not yet fully mastered her new role, has not gained the necessary knowledge and skills to care for a baby;
Stressful situations that occurred during pregnancy, for example, the death of relatives, a change of residence, and so on;
The beginning of the lactation period and the pain and lack of sleep associated with this process. Milk stagnation, lactation crises, the inability to breastfeed can lead to depression;
Features of the character of a woman. Often such a trait as selfishness leads to the formation of a problem;
Changes in appearance. An increase in body weight, the appearance of stretch marks, age spots, lack of time for proper personal care – all this can adversely affect the condition of a woman;
Violations of sexual relations with a partner. Fatigue, impossibility or unwillingness to enter into intimacy, decreased libido, dislike for sex are factors predisposing to depression;
The presence of bad habits, in particular alcoholism and drug addiction, both in the woman herself and in her husband;
The presence of a woman who gave birth to mental illness;
Negative experience of a previous pregnancy.
All these reasons can lead to the development of postpartum depression. Nevertheless, the question of triggering factors in the formation of the problem is still open in medical science.
Symptoms of postpartum depression
The following symptoms indicate that a woman is developing or has already formed postnatal depression:
The woman begins to experience a persistent feeling of depression. She is not able to cope with this depressing feeling, which is especially intensified in the evening or morning (sometimes it appears both in the morning and in the evening);
Often thoughts arise in the head about the lack of meaning in later life;
A guilt complex may begin to form, especially if the child has any health problems;
Irritability grows, which manifests itself in the form of aggression directed at all family members (most often, the husband and older children suffer from these manifestations);
Distracted attention, the inability to concentrate on one activity is the most important symptom of most signs of postpartum depression;
Increased emotional sensitivity. It is expressed in excessive tearfulness, which appears at the most seemingly insignificant occasions. Against the background of the fact that a woman is experiencing emotional exhaustion, there is a breakdown;
The impossibility of a good rest, as the feelings that overwhelm a woman do not give her the opportunity to sleep peacefully. Therefore, insomnia is a characteristic feature of postpartum depression;
Anhedonia, or the inability to enjoy any joyful moments of life. Accompanied by unwillingness to laugh at jokes, despondency, melancholy and apathy;
Excessive concern for the health of the newborn child. Moms with postpartum depression are frequent visitors to pediatricians and pediatricians with a narrower specialty;
Concerns about their own health. The woman begins to search and always finds signs of formidable diseases. Against this background, hypochondria begins to develop, which is accompanied by frequent complaints about one’s own health, the perception of any ordinary sensations as signs of pathology, the belief in the presence of one or another disease;
Sometimes it also happens that a woman completely stops worrying about the baby, moreover, she feels a sense of rejection and hostility towards him. Such a state can lead to the fact that a woman convinces herself that the child is not her own, but a substitute in the maternity hospital;
There is a frequent change of mood, from a cheerful smiling woman, a young mother with depression can turn into a sobbing hysteria in a minute;
It is not uncommon for depressed women to experience memory lapses;
Against the background of developing postpartum depression, functional disorders may occur, for example, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, the appearance of headaches. From the physical manifestations of depression, one can also distinguish unpleasant sensations in the joints, muscles, back, frequent dizziness;
A woman may lose her desire to eat, against this background, uncontrolled weight loss begins;
Changes in gait and speech. Most often, they are accelerated, although in rare cases, slowness and lethargy can be observed.
When the depression worsens, it can transform into psychosis, in which it is not uncommon to have thoughts of harming yourself or even your child.
How long does postpartum depression last?
Depressive disorder after the birth of a child is not considered a severe mental illness. However, the time period immediately after childbirth poses the greatest danger in terms of the onset of the development of persistent emotional disorders. If we talk about the duration of postpartum depression, it is important to distinguish between postpartum psychosis and maternal melancholy.
On days 3-5, a woman can fully begin to experience the manifestations of maternal melancholy. It is expressed in inexplicable sadness and melancholy, increased tearfulness, lack of appetite, insomnia. The terms of maternal melancholy are quite lengthy, sometimes the feeling of despondency can last only a few hours, sometimes it can take several days. However, at the same time, the woman does not move away from the child, performs all the necessary actions to care for him, treats the baby with care and attention.
Therefore, maternal melancholy is not usually attributed to psychological abnormalities, since it is only a temporary manifestation of hormonal disorders occurring in the female body. However, if there are additional risk factors, after a few days, maternal melancholy can develop into postpartum depression.
Postnatal depression most often begins to form in the second or third week after the birth of the child. It often manifests itself when the mother and baby are discharged from the maternity hospital. Although sometimes suppressed emotions begin to overwhelm a woman a few months after the baby is born, when fatigue from constant worries about him reaches its climax. Postpartum depression can last from one month to several years.
If after a few weeks signs of a mental disorder continue to be observed, then it is reasonable to assume that the woman has experienced prolonged postpartum depression. Such a condition is rare, but in a particularly severe form, depression can last for years, acquiring the character of a chronic disease.
Certain categories of women are prone to prolonged postpartum depression. Among them, those who have a neurotic character, are hysterical, withdrawn, experience pathological fears (phobias) or uncontrollable desires (manias). In addition, women who in childhood did not receive emotional participation and response from their own mother have a predisposition to the development of protracted depression. In some particularly severe cases, even a qualified psychologist is not able to guess how long a woman’s postpartum depression will last.
Rarely, in about one in a thousand women, against the background of depression, postpartum psychosis begins to form. In this case, it will not be possible to do without medical help, and the woman will need the help of a specialist in order to return to a normal psychological state and fully experience the joy of motherhood.
How to deal with postpartum depression?
There are some steps you can take to deal with postpartum depression on your own, without seeking help from a psychologist.
Here are the most important aspects:
Attractiveness. You need to try to remain attractive, for which you need to find time to care for your own appearance and body. For a normal emotional state, it is important for a woman to see her non-repulsive reflection in the mirror. Naturally, the postpartum period and caring for the baby takes a lot of time. However, you should try to set aside at least 15 minutes every day to carry out hygiene and cosmetic procedures. To facilitate the care of your own appearance, you can visit the salon and get a fashionable haircut that does not require a long time for styling. You should pay attention not only to walking clothes, but also to home clothes. It should be practical, comfortable, and at the same time beautiful;
Learn to listen to your child. In this case, we are talking about an adequate response to his crying about hunger or the need for hygiene procedures. Do not panic about the slightest cry, because most often it is the result of the natural development of the baby, and not a sign of any pathology. At this age, children need only food, timely care and closeness of the mother;
Communication with the baby. It is necessary to communicate as much as possible with the child who was born. Even if he is only a few days old, this is not a reason to spend all the time in silence. You need to talk to him, “coo” and coo. These simple actions will bring your own nervous system into balance. In addition, in communication there is a benefit not only for the mother, but also for the baby. Hearing her calm voice, he will develop better intellectually, verbally and emotionally;
Help. Do not refuse any help that allows you to unload a woman. This may be an offer to take a sleeping baby for a walk or a service in terms of housekeeping. Any help to the young mother will be helpful, as it will allow her to rest a little;
Relationship with a partner. A man who is nearby should not be an outside observer, but a full-fledged participant in the process of caring for a child. It is difficult for him, as well as for a woman, to get used to the new role of a parent, he may not understand how to care for a child. Therefore, specific requests for assistance are needed, with an exact indication of the required set of actions, and not abstract complaints and claims;
Communication and leisure. You should not limit your social circle to your family and close yourself in the house. In order to diversify your leisure time, you can try to establish contact with the same young mothers walking on the street with their children. A joint discussion of problems, small achievements of the child will allow you to find new friends with whom there will always be something to talk about. In addition, the Internet is useful in this regard. You can chat on forums, share your own experiences and problems;
Baths. Relaxing baths can help fight postpartum depression. You can, for example, take a bath with rose petals, which only by its appearance and aroma will relieve fatigue and depression.
Additional recommendations
If a woman does not consider it necessary to seek psychological help, but feels that something is not quite right with her emotionally, you must, first of all, try to adhere to a healthy lifestyle. Active physical exercises in the morning, walking with the baby in the fresh air, normalizing the diet, healthy low-calorie food, giving up bad habits – all this is the key to a successful exit from depression after childbirth.
Also, do not try to become an ideal mother in everything and build a model of an impeccable family. As a rule, the impossibility of translating into reality everything conceived leads to depressive disorders. To restore peace of mind, you can consult with a close friend or relative who has gone through childbirth and faced similar difficulties.
It is important not to be shy about confessing to a loved one your experiences, feelings, emotions. Do not be shy to report the arising feeling of anxiety to a man. Perhaps your husband is no less worried than you about the birth of a child, and by talking with him, you will be able to solve not only your problem. Male postpartum depression is not as rare as it might seem at first glance.
If none of the tips helps get rid of a depressive disorder, and the condition continues to worsen, then you need to seek medical help. Perhaps a woman will need qualified treatment using medications.
What should a husband do during his wife’s postpartum depression?
A husband who notices signs of postpartum depression in a woman is obliged to help her cope with this destructive condition. To do this, he needs to take on at least a small part of the household duties, even if previously they were performed only by a woman. In addition, it is necessary to help the wife not only with housekeeping, but also with meeting the needs of the child.
There is evidence that women who are not cared for by their husbands are most often affected by depressive disorders. If he does not take an active part in family affairs, does not offer his help to the young mother, then she is more likely to suffer from postpartum depression.
It is important to provide not only physical, but also psychological assistance. For a woman, it is necessary to see support in the face of her husband, his desire to listen, sympathize, give good advice, and not criticize and condemn.
A man must understand that postpartum depression is not a whim, but a disease that a woman suffers from. She is not able to simply take and forget about her own experiences, just as a patient with diabetes mellitus cannot lower blood sugar levels by sheer force of will.
For a woman after childbirth, it is simply necessary to feel loved and needed. The readiness of a loved one to come to the rescue and relieve her of household chores a little is the best that a man can offer to get a woman out of depression.
Tips from Experienced Women
It will be useful for a woman to learn that not only she has psychological problems after childbirth. Many of the fairer sex have had the same problems and share tips on how they managed to cope with postpartum depression.
Alena, 28 years old. “Nothing and no one can help you get out of this state, except yourself. It’s good to have people around who don’t judge and understand you. Depression will go away on its own after a while. You will feel the love of life again. The main thing is not to doubt the feeling of love for the child, and so it will be.
Ulyana, 25 years old. “I felt the signs of postpartum depression not immediately, but about three weeks after the birth of my daughter. How then all these advisers pissed me off, and I generally took hostility to my husband’s proposal to seek help from a specialist. But it’s good that she changed her mind in time, and her beloved still insisted on his own. Three sessions with a psychologist – and everything fell into place.
Sveta, 31 years old. “When I went pregnant, I thought that the moment of the birth of the baby would be the happiest in my entire life. But then Kirill was born, and I felt a strong sense of loneliness. It was as if I had been deprived of all the usual joys of life. If earlier at work I simply bathed in attention, I was the most attractive, I could boast of proportional forms, now I am thin and scary. Meeting with friends, parties, traveling – all this is in the past. Now just a baby! But my husband found a way out – he rented a house in the countryside, and for the whole summer my nanny and I moved there. It was there that I was able to reflect on my behavior, to take a different look at changes in life. And it became easier for me, I realized that I love my baby madly and appreciate my husband. You should not think that I went crazy with fat, it was really hard for me then, but now everything has passed.
Nina, 25 years old. “I was so looking forward to pregnancy and wanted a child that I didn’t even have the thought of any depression. But then it just hit me. Unreasonable sobbing, constant tears in her eyes, I thought that was all – she had gone crazy. The husband left, the mother unsuccessfully tried to support. It seemed that life had stopped. But one day I was walking in the yard and met the same mother, and she turned out to be a psychologist. We chatted for hours while the kids slept. Thanks to Lena, I returned to normal life, and my husband, by the way, also returned. We’ve all been fine.”
Natasha, 28 years old. “Don’t think that fatigue and depression are the same thing. When you’re depressed, it’s much more serious. I wanted a baby, gave birth, they helped me, my husband took care, everything was at home. But for some reason I hated myself and, no matter how terrible, my daughter. Time dragged on, I did everything like a robot, because I had to. For the first time I felt tenderness for my daughter at five months. And now she’s almost three and I’m crazy about my baby. It’s even scary to think back to that time.”
Dasha, 21 years old. “When Sonya gave birth, my child was literally taken away from me. My mother and mother-in-law did everything for me, except for breastfeeding. So I lay stupidly in bed and watched TV. But everything changed when my mother-in-law went away for a month to visit, and my mother ended up in the hospital, I had to literally become more active. I worked like on batteries, but again I felt the taste for life, became active, cheerful and cheerful. Something like that”.
Zhenya, 26 years old. “I was so sorry that I gave birth, I even wanted to give up Misha. But she was cured and stayed in the hospital. Now Misha is 2, everything can be experienced, everything has passed.
Julia, 24 years old.“I was so sick, the melancholy gnawed at me, I got angry, then I got bored, then I cried. But when my girl smiled at me, it was me, I realized that I was happy. And now, only a month ago I gave birth to a second princess, but now there is simply no place for melancholy in my life.
How is postpartum depression treated?
Depression can and should be treated.
There are several therapeutic options, including:
Cognitive therapy. It allows you to stop the development of a destructive psychological process. According to ongoing studies, the signs of a depressive disorder after childbirth are reduced after the first session, and after six there is a pronounced improvement in the condition. Only a specialist should use breathing and relaxation techniques;
Psychological consultation. It helps when the patient needs emotional support, objective advice to help find a way out and the current situation. It is worth setting up for several visits, as one consultation is not enough;
Use of antidepressants. The drug course should be accompanied by a visit to a psychologist. It is worth knowing that not all antidepressants can be taken while breastfeeding. Doctors recommend using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants (the exception is doxepin).
Treatment tactics will depend on the severity of the condition. Perhaps a woman will need to visit an endocrinologist and get tested for hormones. Sometimes the trigger mechanism for the formation of persistent depression can be anemia, which is often observed in women who have given birth.
Therefore, if during pregnancy there was a low level of hemoglobin, then it is advisable to donate blood for a general analysis and exclude anemia.
Do not forget about the principles of proper nutrition. Studies point to a direct relationship between the amount of sugar a woman consumes and the incidence of postpartum depression. The same statement is true for chocolate. Therefore, sweet foods will need to be minimized.
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