Postpartum Depression
“Postpartum depression makes you suddenly feel like a stranger to yourself, but knowing the clinical facts are the first step toward wellness.”
― Judy Dippel, Breaking the Grip of Postpartum Depression: Walk Toward Wellness with Real Facts, Real Stories, and Real God
What do you mean by Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression is a mixture of physical, emotional and behavioural changes occur in a woman after the birth of the baby. This is because of the fact that after delivery women experiences some hormonal changes and it becomes normal after three days of having a baby as like before the baby and these types of changes lead to depression. It is diagnosed by the DSM-5. It can be treated with some medications and counselling.
Types of Postpartum Disorders
There are a number of conditions that women may experience after the delivery of a child due to the hormonal changes. Some of such postpartum disorders are mentioned below:
- Blue babies
- Postpartum depression
- Postpartum psychosis
Reasons for Postpartum Depression
Following are the most widely recognized reasons for postpartum depression which we talked about here:
- Due to some hormonal changes
- Due to some physical changes
- Due to environmental changes
Common Symptoms of Postpartum Depression
Women may experience mood swings and other behavioral issues after their delivery which are common however if the intensity of emotional disturbances impairs their quality of life it means that it falls under the category of disorders. Following are the most common symptoms of postpartum depression:
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Excessive fatigue
- Decreased libido
- Worthlessness
- Helplessness
- Hopelessness
- Mood changes
- Appetite changes
- Loss of pleasure
- Thoughts of death and suicide
- Hurting someone else
- Anxiety
- Irritability
Risk Factors of Postpartum Depression
Postpartum Depression may happen to anyone but there are some factors that make a woman more prone to the development of it. Following are the risk factors for postpartum disorder which we discussed below:
- Relationship problems
- Living alone
- History of depression
- Having bipolar disorder
- Family history of this disorder
- Baby have health problems
- Unwanted pregnancy
- Financial problems
Diagnoses of Postpartum Depression
Even if you know that you have all the symptoms you still need to get a clinical diagnosis to get a proper treatment. Following are the methodologies and techniques used by the doctors or psychiatrist:
- Physical examination
- Psychiatric evaluation
- Asking about the symptoms you have experience
- Medical interview
- Behavioural therapy
- Medical history
How doctors treat Postpartum Depression Disorders?
Doctors can treat this type of psychological problems by the following methods and techniques which we discussed here:
- Medical Treatment
Doctors will prescribe you an appropriate medication to overcome the symptoms and the disease.
- Behavioural Treatment
Doctors can also do your behavioural treatment and treat you by the help of cogitative behavioral therapy.
Delaying treatment can make your condition worse therefore if you are experiencing the symptoms of Postpartum Depression more than 2 weeks you must seek professional help.