Are you feeling a bit cranky or a bit irritated after giving birth to your little one? It may be because of a condition known as PPD, if elaborated- Postpartum Depression. It is completely normal for new mothers to feel various emotions, right from anxiety and fear to happiness and excitement. Roughly 1 out of 7 new mothers are affected by this condition, and although the condition is pretty severe, it’s treatable with the correct treatment. Postpartum depression affects all types of mothers and their significant others, whether they are adoptive, surrogate, or biological mothers. The postpartum depression symptoms involve sadness, feeling empty inside, and even emotionless. It also changes the mood greatly, and some people may experience exhaustion and hopelessness for a long time. Let’s discover more about postpartum depression symptoms, its signs, and ways to treat it.
Postpartum Depression: The Symptoms/Signs
The signs of postpartum depression will begin to show within 1 week to 3 weeks after giving birth. Mothers will experience a diverse range of powerful emotions, which include sadness, fatigue, and even mood swings. This is often called “baby blues,” if it occurs during the first few days after giving birth and such symptoms will make it difficult for a person to function properly in their day-to-day lives. PPD is more severe than baby blues and it lasts longer. Here are several other postpartum depression symptoms of this particular ailment:
- Issues with the appetite
- Lessens the concentration
- Loss of energy
- Extreme anger or irritation
- Fear of not being a good mother
- Feel guilty, worthless, or shame
- Crying
- Makes a person restless
Apart from all these symptoms, there are several others too:
- Experience severe pain, headaches, stomach issues, and even aches.
- Having the thoughts of harming yourself or the baby.
- Not feeling like bonding with the infant or feeling completely uninterested in the child.
- Feeling completely overwhelmed
- Low levels of libido
- Loss of pleasure
What Increases the Dangers of Postpartum Depression?
It’s being stated that roughly 50% of new mothers get to experience baby blues after giving birth and other symptoms linked with postpartum depression after birth. However, there are certain things that increase the risk of this depression significantly:
- Having an infant who cries too much or has special needs.
- There is an issue in the relationship or marital life.
- There is not much social /family support.
- Premature birth, facing difficulty during delivery, or pregnancy issues.
- Having a family history or personal depression.
- If you’re a single parent or became a parent below the age of 20.
Postpartum Depression and Its Treatment Options
Although PPD is a severe ailment, there are certain postpartum depression treatment options that will aid in treating it. Some of the most popular ones are therapies, natural remedies, and even medications. Let’s uncover about them in detail:
Medications
To treat postpartum anxiety or any other signs/symptoms, the physician might advise these medications:
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors): These are antidepressants that can aid in treating PPD. Some examples of these antidepressants are Sertraline, Prozac, and Paroxetine.
Atypical Antidepressants: These medications aim at the neurotransmitters located in the brain that are known to impact a person’s mood. Some of these medications are Trazodone, Wellbutrin, and Nefazodone.
Brexanolone: This is a medication that is provided via an IV for 60 hours by a healthcare expert for a severe PPD
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors & Tricyclic Antidepressants: These two medications are not that common but can aid in treating PPD.
Therapies
At present, CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) has proven to be highly effective in giving relief from PPD. Healthcare experts have pointed out that using this particular therapy along with proper postpartum depression medication can lessen the symptoms greatly. In CBT, various approaches and methods are used to identify and restructure the thinking patterns and problem-solving skills are used to deal with various circumstances.
Natural Remedies
Postpartum depression symptoms stand out as a debilitating and serious ailment, but health experts instruct that it should not be treated by oneself. However, consuming healthy food, performing yoga, doing periodic workouts, and spending a bit of time in nature can give you relief from its signs while going through therapy or medication. You should speak or consult with a physician before choosing natural remedies to get relief from this sort of depression.
Conclusion
It’s normal for people and their respective partners to experience signs of postpartum depression. You will get to experience many sorts of signs/symptoms, ranging from excitement, fear, crying spells, etc. However, don’t take this condition lightly. It’s normal to experience postpartum depression, whether you’re a new mother, giving birth the second/third time, or a surrogate. Be sure to speak with a healthcare expert on such matters so that you receive the correct treatment.
