Bringing a new life into the world should be one of the most joyous events in your life, but that is not always the case. The fact is that the majority of new mothers suffer from postpartum depression, or baby blues, what ever you call it the symptoms can be overwhelming. If you are anything like me you may feel ashamed of your feelings, and would not want to share the information with anyone, let alone say it out loud. You think that maybe people will see you as some kind of monster, or think that you don't love your baby, after all you've seen plenty of mothers out and about with their little bundle of joy, and they seemed perfectly happy. I'm here to tell you that if you are feeling any symptoms of postpartum depression it is perfectly normal, you should not feel ashamed, and there is help out there for you.
The Symptoms of Postpartum Depression
- Depression
- Irritability
- Exhaustion
- Sadness
- Anger
- Guilt
- Worry
- Feelings of inadequacy
1 in 8 women suffer from postpartum mood disorders. 80% of them go untreated. The source is primarily caused by hormonal changes. Support from family and friends can seriously help her recovery. However if there is little or no help this can negatively impinge on the mothers mental state.
There are six postpartum mood disorders all with many similar characteristics. I will introduce them briefly, and if you find yourself suffering from any of these disorders I implore you to seek help from your physician.
Baby Blues
Symptoms:
- Mood instability
- Weepiness
- Sadness
- Anxiety
- Lack of concentration
- Feelings of dependency
This is not considered a disorder, yet the majority of mothers experience it. The onset is within the first week, and may last up to three weeks.
Etiology
Symptoms:
- Rapid hormonal changes.
- Physical and emotional stress of birthing.
- Physical discomforts.
- Emotional let down after pregnancy and birth.
- Awareness and anxiety about increased responsibility.
- Fatigue, and sleep deprivation.
- Disappointments including the birth, spousal support, nursing, and the baby.
Depression and Anxiety
Symptoms:
- Excessive worry or anxiety
- Irritability or short temper
- Feeling overwhelmed, or difficulty making decisions
- Sad mood
- Sleep problems either too much or too little, and fatigue
- Physical symptoms or complaints without physical cause
- Discomfort around the baby or a lack of feeling around the baby
- Loss of focus or concentration
- Loss of pleasure, decreased libido
- Changes in appetite
15-20% of new mothers suffer from this. The onset is usually gradual, but can be rapid and begin anytime within the first year.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
3-5% of new moms develop OCD. The risk factors are personal or family history of OCD.
Panic Disorder
Symptoms:
- Episodes of extreme anxiety
- Shortness of breath, chest pain, sensations of choking or smothering
- Hot or cold flashes, trembling, palpitations, numbness or tingling sensations
- Restlessness, agitation, or irritability
- During an attack you may feel she is going crazy, dying or losing control
- Panic attack may wake you from sleep
- No identifiable trigger for the attack
- Excessive worry or fears including fear of more panic attacks
There is a 10% occurrence for this.
Psychosis
Symptoms:
- Visual or auditory hallucinations
- Delusional thinking
- Delirium and or mania
The risk factors include:
- Personal or family history of psychosis, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia
- Previous postpartum, bipolar, or psychotic episode
Occurs in 1-2% per thousand, onset usually two to three days postpartum. It has a 5% suicide, and 4% infanticide rate.
There are consequences of a depressed mother who goes untreated, and the entire family suffers. On the other hand the quicker she is treated the better prognosis for the entire family.
You can help yourself by coming up with a plan of action:
- Stay active
- Do something that you think is fun each day
- Spend time with those who help or support you
- Relax
- Set simple goals
- Have a list of supportive mothers phone numbers that you can call any time day or night
Most importantly do not overwhelm yourself, take small steps, and set realistic and simple goals. There is nothing like setting yourself up to add stress upon stress. You can get better, but you have to know what to look for and how to go about treating it. I just can't say this enough, what you are going through is perfectly normal, it does not make you a bad person to feel what you may be feeling. Feelings are not wrong it is when you take action on those feelings that it becomes wrong. Make an appointment either with your family physician, or obstetrician, and be honest with them so that you can be properly diagnosed and treated.
