What is Postpartum Depression?

Did you know 1 in 10 new mothers struggle with postpartum depression?

According to CDC, “Postpartum depression is depression that occurs after having a baby.”

It is very normal to experience minor reactions in adjustments to childbirth. These reactions are called “baby blues” and typically last a few days and occur in approximately 40-80% of women between 1 and 5 days after delivery. It is during this time that new mothers can be tearful and experience mood swings but these responses are rather normal due to the stress of childbirth and disappear quickly. It is crucial for new mothers to seek professional help if they observe these signs and symptoms to persist for longer than two weeks.

During pregnancy, mothers go through many different changes in their bodies internally and externally. During pregnancy, estrogen and progesterone hormone levels are at their maximum levels, and within 24 hours after birth, hormone levels quickly drop to normal levels. The sudden changes in hormone levels are one of the reasons that lead to postpartum depression. Another cause may be due to the physical changes like changes in body shape during and after pregnancy may arouse emotional issues like anxiety and depression. Moreover, new mothers who have a family history of depression or previous history, had difficulties being pregnant, being a mother to multiples, birth complications, or had preterm labor and labor have higher risks of suffering postpartum depression.

Symptoms

Some of the symptoms of postpartum depression:

• • Crying for no specific reason
  • No energy or motivation
  • Feeling guilty about nurturing
  • Lack of interest in the newborn
  • Memory problems
  • Changes in appetite or excessive eating
  • Sleeping too little or too much

Although these symptoms are very similar to depression, what differs between depression and postpartum depression is the period when the individual is suffering from depression. Postpartum depression specifically occurs during and after pregnancy while causes and specific periods of depression can be due to any big or small life event.

Treatment

Postpartum depression is curable with time and the right treatment option. To receive the right treatment plan, it is crucial to meet with your health provider to discuss the severity and cause of the depression. Whether the treatment course would be pharmacological treatment or non-pharmacological treatment, it is important for clients to stick with their course of treatment. In cases of non-pharmacological treatment, it is critical to meet with the therapist regularly as sessions can help reduce and/or treat the symptoms of postpartum depression.

FAQs

1. How long will it take for me to get better?

Unlike a cold, chickenpox, or a broken bone, treatment for anxiety and mood disorders does not have a definite timeline. The course and length of treatment may depend on several factors, which include the client’s family history of mental health, the severity of current presenting symptoms, the client’s level of commitment to treatment and their personality, the client’s lifestyle, as well as how quickly the disorder has been brought to attention. For more information, please refer to your health provider for more information.

2. Is online therapy available for Postpartum Depression?

Online therapy sessions are available for postpartum depression. After being referred to your therapist for the disorder, depending on the severity of postpartum depression, it is very possible for postpartum depression therapy sessions to be held online. For more information, please feel free to visit our online counseling page or speak with your therapist.

From reading the symptoms above, if you feel that you are currently struggling with Postpartum Depression, please reach out to your health provider.

For more information on Depression, please visit 4 Signs You Might be Struggling with Depression.