The 10 Scariest Things About Postpartum Depression Symptoms

Postpartum Depression Symptoms

The "baby blues" is a normal feeling experienced by mothers who have just had the birth of their child. It is essential to talk to your health care provider or doctor to discuss your feelings.

In some cases a new mom may develop something more serious, postpartum psychosis. This can lead to hallucinations, and a lack of sleep, along with thoughts of harming the mother or her baby. Hospitalization is sometimes required.

1. Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness

If you feel a sense of hopelessness or worthlessness this is an indication that you need to visit an expert in mental health right away. It is also important to tell your doctor if you are thinking about suicide or have thoughts of hurting yourself or your child. These are serious signs that should not be ignored. They can also be a warning sign for other severe types of postpartum depression like postpartum psychosis.

Antidepressant medications are the most common treatment for PPD. This will help balance the brain's chemicals that affect mood. Your doctor will determine the best treatment for you based on your symptoms and if you are breastfeeding. Talk therapy is also a common treatment. Your doctor might recommend a specific model of therapy like cognitive behavior therapy or interpersonal therapy. Some support groups also help women with PPD.

Other treatments include rest and avoiding visitors who are not necessary. It's important to get enough sleep, and sleeping when your baby is asleep can help. Exercise can also boost your mood. Finding a network of friends and family members to assist with childcare and housework can be very helpful.

It's important to remember that feeling depressed doesn't mean you're an unloving mother or that you don't love your child. It's not a mental illness. It's a medical condition that requires treatment. You'll feel better after treatment and have more energy to take care of your baby. Depression that is not treated can affect a new mother's relationship with her baby and cause serious health problems for both the mom and baby. Women of ethnicity are more likely suffer more from postpartum depression than white women, possibly because they're less likely seek treatment and get diagnosed.

2. Feelings of anger or feelings of rage

Feelings of anger or rage are not listed as symptoms of postpartum depression in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), however, they are a common occurrence during PPD. Anger can be triggered by a number of things, including rapid changes in hormone levels, sleep deprivation and anxiety about becoming a new mom. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms of severe depression, it's best to speak with your physician. He or she may conduct a depression screening during your postpartum follow-up.

You can also seek assistance from a therapist or a support group. It's also important to let people know how you're feeling, so they can offer assistance. Offer assistance with cooking, cleaning babysitting, running errands and so on. You can take advantage of anyone who will watch your child while you sleep. Make sure you spend time with others who understand what you're feeling. This could include family members or friends, or other new moms in a mothers' group.

You must immediately call 911 if you are worried about harming yourself or your baby. This is an indication of postpartum psychiasis which is a rare, but serious medical condition that is often associated with PPD.

If you know someone in your family who is experiencing these feelings, encourage them to seek medical attention. It is suggested that they speak to their doctor or join a therapist support group, and offer to go with them to the appointment as a support worker. You could also help by offering to babysit, run around, or participate in outings or playdates. You can also make time to do activities you enjoy, eat well and rest as much as you need.

3. Feelings of guilt, shame or deprivation

Many new moms experience feelings such as sadness, anxiety or fatigue, loneliness, irritation after childbirth. These feelings are often called the baby blues and may last for a few weeks or days after delivery. However, if the symptoms last more than two weeks, and are getting worse, hinder your ability to care for the baby or yourself or you are worried about hurting yourself or the baby, you may be experiencing postpartum depression (PPD). Your doctor will examine your situation during your postpartum visit and can refer you to a specialist who is trained in mental health if you require. Contact 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline if you have thoughts of hurting your baby or taking the plunge.

It is important to remember that PPD is not the fault of you, regardless of the reason. Perinatal depression can be caused by a variety of factors such as hormonal changes, lack of sleep and emotional or familial issues. You are at a higher chance of developing depression or anxiety if these issues was present during pregnancy or prior to, and if there is an ancestry history of depression in your family.

Certain women are more prone to postpartum depression. This is especially true if they have more severe Symptoms of late-life Depression, such as feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness or thoughts about harming themselves or their baby. These are indicators of a more serious problem known as postpartum psychosis. It could be extremely dangerous for both the baby and you. It is a psychiatric emergency and must be treated in the hospital. Call 911 or go straight to the nearest emergency department. It is essential to have a system of support in place. Find family and friends who will help with housework and childcare and other running errands.

4. Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness

If a woman's feelings of sadness, worthlessness or hopelessness continue to persist for more than two weeks, it could be indicative of something more serious than the baby blues. Postpartum psychosis is a more serious condition that can trigger these feelings. This is an extremely serious mental illness that can trigger hallucinations, delusions and paranoia. Women suffering from these symptoms should seek medical attention, whether by calling an emergency hotline, seeing their doctor, or going to the emergency room.

Women suffering from PPD may feel shame or guilt about the way they are feeling. They may feel that their feelings reflect on their babies or that they're horrible mothers. They have not done anything to trigger their depression. It is caused by a combination of hormonal and environmental factors that are out of their control.

PPD can be treated and typically disappears with the proper treatment. This could involve psychotherapy or talk therapy with a psychiatrist, psychologist or a mental health counselorand sometimes, medication. Certain antidepressants are able to be taken during breastfeeding. Women should also strive to get as much rest and support as possible during this time. This might include seeking help with chores, from a spouse or family member, or joining a mothers' support group. They should also ensure that they eat a healthy diet, get plenty of sleep and exercise, and consult their physician regularly for examinations and any other questions they may have.

5. Feelings of hopelessness or despair

It is essential that a woman who feels lost or unworthy, immediately consults with her doctor. These are serious signs of depression in elderly parents that can indicate postpartum depression, and should not be ignored. These symptoms can be more severe than the newborn blues and may prevent a new mother from taking care of herself or her baby. If depression is not treated, it can become more severe and even develop into major depressive symptoms depressive disorder. It can also affect the bond between the mother and her child as well as the relationship within the family.

It's not certain what causes postpartum depression but genetics and other medical problems can increase a woman's likelihood of developing it. Other risk factors are serious stress during pregnancy, medical issues both during and after birth and the lack of support from family and friends. If the woman has an history of depression, her risk is greater as well.

The majority of women suffering from postpartum depression get better by taking medication and therapy. Medicine can help balance the chemical levels in the brain that affect mood. Your doctor can suggest psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy or a support group for mothers. Therapists can help a new mother recognize her feelings and handle them in a healthy manner. Treatments for depression might also be recommended, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as sertraline (Zoloft(r)) or fluoxetine (Prozac(r)) and paroxetine (Paxil(r)). A newer medication, called brexanolone (Zulresso(r)) is administered via IV over a period of two and a half days in the hospital and starts working quickly. It's safe to use during breastfeeding.

It's normal for people to experience down or sad times after a baby is born however, if the feelings do not go away or worsen and more severe, it's time to visit a doctor. It's especially important to see an obstetrician in the event that a mother is contemplating of hurting herself or her baby or her baby, which could be a sign of more serious depression called postpartum psychosis, which is a rare condition.