Postpartum depression: what to do if you can't enjoy motherhood

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

No mother is immune from postpartum depression. Moreover, even dads can get sick.

What is postpartum depression and where does it come from

Postpartum depression is a mental disorder that affects 10-15% of women after childbirth or pregnancy without a baby.

Why postpartum depression develops, no one knows for sure. Until the causes of depression are simply established, it is suspected that this is a condition that is associated with many factors: predisposition, hormonal balance, personality type, individual experience, trauma.

Pregnancy and childbirth are events that change the hormonal balance, affect health and often cause psychological trauma, that is, reinforce all the reasons for depression. But it happens even in healthy and prosperous women after relatively easy childbirth.

Postpartum depression is more likely to affect women who:

1. There were already mental disorders before pregnancy.
2. There are no close people who can help take care of the child or just support.
3. A tense relationship with a partner.
4. Something unpleasant happened, even unrelated to pregnancy and childbirth.

By the way, even men suffer from postpartum depression. But less often than women: only 1 in 25 fathers experience similar symptoms.

When does postpartum depression appear and how long does it last?

In the first two weeks after giving birth, it is perfectly normal to feel weak, in a bad mood, and cry a lot. If this passes in about 14 days, then it is too early to talk about postpartum depression. Postpartum depression lasts longer and can last for several months. If it is not treated, then it may no longer become postpartum, but simply depression, because months and years will separate it from childbirth.

Postpartum depression does not necessarily start in the hospital or after discharge: it can manifest itself up to a year after the birth of the baby.

It doesn't matter how many children a woman already has. Depression can manifest itself both after the first birth, and after any subsequent ones.

How to tell if it's depression

The symptoms of postpartum depression are similar to those of common depression:

1. Constant bad mood, sadness, irritability, mood swings.
2. Working capacity decreases, there is not enough energy.
3. Lost interest in what you love and the world around you.
4. Sleep problems appear: both drowsiness and insomnia are considered.
5. Appetite disappears or increases incredibly.
6. I don't want to communicate with people.
7. It becomes difficult to concentrate, to keep attention.
8. Frightening thoughts appear. For example, about hurting yourself or your child.
9. It becomes difficult, almost impossible to care for a child.

These symptoms rarely come one at a time. They can appear one after the other and build up gradually, so postpartum depression is often overlooked.

In addition, social attitudes are often prevented from recognizing depression. By default, a woman should rejoice at the new status of a mother, experience unearthly happiness and dissolve in pleasant caring for the baby. The emotions of a depressed woman do not fit into this picture. As a result, a feeling of guilt is added to the already difficult state of being "the wrong mother" and "not coping."

In addition, often people around do not support a woman. On the contrary: they reproach that she is not happy and complains when she is obliged to shine with happiness. This can significantly worsen depression and exacerbate its symptoms.

How to treat postpartum depression

First, you need to understand that depression can get close to any mother, regardless of how the birth went and how things are after it. This is the same disease as the flu or hypertension, only it affects the nervous system. And it must be treated.

The woman is definitely not to blame for the fact that she has postpartum depression.

Therefore, you do not need to be embarrassed and hide disturbing thoughts and symptoms. They need to be shared with loved ones and doctors in order to be cured in time.

Second, if there is reason to suspect depression, you need to seek help as soon as possible. And for help from professionals, that is, psychotherapists. For the treatment of depression are used:

1. Psychotherapeutic methods. Contrary to popular myth, these are not just conversations about trauma and emotions. These are working methods by which the patient is taught to cope with difficult emotional states.
2. Special medicines, and these are not only antidepressants. Only a doctor can prescribe them, because an independent attempt to find a cure can only aggravate the symptoms.
3. Diet. This is not about losing weight, but about proper nutrition. How a person eats depends on his mental state.
4. Physical exercises. Exercise is one of the most stable and effective methods to help cope with mental disorders, and especially depression. Most likely, this is due to hormones: sports helps to produce the "right" hormones for a good mood.

Thirdly, to engage in prevention.

How to prevent postpartum depression

It is clear that the trigger mechanism for postpartum depression is childbirth, which is difficult to do without if there is a desire to have a child. There are no effective methods of preventing depression after childbirth; only risk factors can be reduced.

For example, one study found Postpartum Depression Q&A that epidural anesthesia during childbirth reduced the risk of depression.

In principle, it is logical: pain and memories of it can hardly cheer you up.

It also turned out that breast pain due to breastfeeding is associated with depression: many women have cracks on their nipples, and their breasts can become inflamed due to milk stagnation. Sometimes you have to give up feeding. All of these cases are associated with an increased risk of depression Breastfeeding pain and postpartum depression. True, it is not clear how exactly: either because of depression, feeding problems begin, or because of difficulties, depression develops.

Postpartum depression also occurs due to overwork and fatigue (we remind you that these are not the only reasons). It is impossible not to get tired when caring for a small child. But you can help yourself:

1. Enlist the support of loved ones and friends.
2. Despite the difficulties in caring for a child, try to rest and not forget about yourself: eat right and fully, play sports.
3. Seek help, including professional help, if you feel that you do not have enough strength.
4. Use gadgets and tools that make it easier to care for your child.
5. Communicate with other mothers (especially those who have experienced depression) to understand that you are not alone.
6. Remember that no one is perfect, and do not strive for the perfect mother image from diaper ads.