Index
- What is postpartum depression?
- What are the symptoms of postpartum depression?
- What causes postpartum depression?
- Can postpartum depression be prevented?
- Treatment for postpartum depression
What is postpartum depression?
Postpartum depression is a moderate to severe depression that affects a woman who has had a pregnancy and has just become a new mother. Postpartum depression can occur from shortly after delivery up to a year later, although it most commonly occurs in the first three months after delivery.
Postpartum depression is more common than it seems,
and it is important for the patient to receive family and professional support and help.
What are the symptoms of postpartum depression?
It is very common that the first two weeks after childbirth the mother is affected by feelings of sadness, anxiety or irritation, which is called postpartum depression. But if, within a month or two months after giving birth this feeling does not disappear, or the symptoms of depression appear later, we speak of postpartum depression.
The symptoms of postpartum depression are the same as in conventional depression:
- Sad and depressed mood.
- Anxiety, depression and guilt.
- Changes in space.
- Feelings of worthlessness and guilt.
- Lack of interest in most activities.
- Lack of concentration.
- lack of energy
- Lack of or changes in appetite.
- trouble completing tasks
- trouble sleeping
- suicidal thoughts
What causes postpartum depression?
Currently there is no system available to know the reasons or why postpartum depression occurs, but hormonal changes have a lot to do with it, as well as the change of routines, and the increase of daily chores, as well as the fact of getting used to each other and getting to know each other: the baby to the mother, and the mother to the baby.
Patients who do not exercise, those under the age of 20, those who consume alcohol or other substances, those who have had depression before, women who experience pregnancy with a previous illness or traumatic event are more likely to suffer from postpartum depression.
When the pregnancy was not planned, it is also more common to develop postpartum depression, as well as if the patient receives little support from her loved ones, has a bad relationship with her partner or has a family member who has suffered from anxiety and depression.
Can postpartum depression be prevented?
It is difficult to foresee what the reality will be like after delivery and how the mother-baby adjustment will be. However, the support of family and loved ones, as well as of the partner (if the mother-to-be has a partner), will be very important to get through pregnancy and postpartum in the best possible way.
Treatment for postpartum depression
The treatment for these occasions is psychological therapy and, if necessary, help from a psychiatrist and anxiolytic and antidepressant drugs, which should always be prescribed by a specialist in the field. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy are the two most useful types of psychotherapy.
Support groups are also a good way for the patient to share her feelings and feel more relieved.