How to Handle Postpartum Depression | Signs, Symptoms, & Treatment

Signs of postpartum depression | signs, symptoms and treatment

Melissa loved her baby girl more than life itself. Her unconditional love began even as her baby developed in the womb. But a couple weeks after delivery, she just couldn’t seem to shake the baby blues. The constant crying, around the clock feedings, and exhaustion were wearing on her. On top of the anxiety and tiredness, doubt crept in. 

What if she was doing this all wrong? Isn’t motherhood supposed to come naturally? All of these other first-time mamas seemed to get the hang of it immediately. It looked (at least from her Instagram feed), that they were loving every minute with their babies.

When Melissa went to her baby’s two-week checkup, she was surprised that the pediatrician gave  her  a questionnaire to fill out. The questions seemed overly simple at first, but each one resonated more than she wanted to admit. On a scale ranging from “as much as I always could” to “not at all,” she answered the following:

 

1.     I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things.

2.     I have looked forward with enjoyment to things.

3.     I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong.

4.     I have been anxious or worried for no good reason.

5.     Things have been getting on top of me.

6.     I have been so unhappy that I have difficulty sleeping.

7.     I have felt sad or miserable.

8.     I have been so unhappy that I have been crying.

9.     The thought of harming myself has occurred to me.

                  (Source:  Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale )

 

After scoring a little low on the quiz, the pediatrician recommended she see her OBGYN out of careful concern. He reassured Melissa that her feelings were normal and much more common than she realized. He also explained that a healthy mama – both physically  and  mentally – is equally as important as a healthy baby. She would wear herself out trying to push through the fog on her own. Sometimes we need some extra support to get things back to normal again. That doesn’t make her a bad mom, and it doesn’t make her weak. Melissa agreed, feeling relieved that someone seemed to understand where she was at.


  Don’t Fight Silently

Unfortunately, post-partum depression and post-partum anxiety affect the majority of women after giving birth. Mamas of angel babies, first time moms, and even fourth-time mothers can relate to Melissa’s story on some level. In fact, according to  PostpartumDepression.org , in the United States:

Approximately 70% to 80% of women will experience, at a minimum, the ‘baby blues.’ Many of these women will experience the more severe condition of postpartum depression or a related condition.

·  One recent study found that 1 in 7 women may experience PPD in the year after giving birth. With approximately 4 million live births occurring each year in the United States, this equates to almost 600,000 postpartum depression diagnoses.

·  When including women who have miscarried or have had a stillbirth, around 900,000 women suffer from postpartum depression annually in the US.


The reported rate of clinical postpartum depression among new mothers is between 10% to 20%.

So, if you’re having a hard time, please know that you aren’t alone. However, recognizing the symptoms and reaching out for help and support will help keep the postpartum depression at bay so you can get back to enjoying life more fully. It’s important – and completely acceptable – to get help if you’re feeling depressed or overly anxious after birth. 

 

Possible Causes of Baby Blues & Postpartum Depression

Experts agree that there is no single factor leading to postpartum depression. Instead, many things happening at once lead to feelings of anxiety and depression. For instance, if you previously struggled with anxiety or depression, you are more at risk for postpartum depression. Extreme fluctuations in hormones, chemical changes in the brain, an unexpected labor and delivery, the healing process, lack of sleep, and disrupted routine all contribute to postpartum anxiety and depression.

It’s important to note the difference between the ‘baby blues’ and PPD. Both should be taken seriously, but the baby blues are typically a bit milder and start to dissipate around the two-week mark. Postpartum depression, on the other hand, is a more complex, long-term mental illness. It lingers well after the two-week mark and interferes with daily life. If you suspect you have PPD, it’s necessary to talk to your doctor. Your mental health is important, and you deserve to recover your joy.


Common Symptoms of the ‘Baby Blues’ Include:

·       Crying without cause

·      Impatience & irritability

·      Restlessness & anxiety

·      Fatigue & insomnia

·      General sadness

·      Mood changes

·      Poor concentration

How to alleviate the Baby Blues

Thankfully, the baby blues don’t last forever, and you have a few things in your toolkit to get you through:

 1.      Let go of expectations – Let’s be honest: bringing a tiny human into the world has a way of flipping things upside down. The truth is that you can read all the books ahead of time, but nothing can really prepare you for the reality of sleepless nights and feeding struggles. Every baby is different, so give yourself some time and grace to figure each other out. There’s no tried and true method or schedule (even if some claim otherwise). Figure out what works for you and your family, and adapt as needed.

2.      Stick to a healthy diet – It’s so tempting to reach for those quick and easy (and comforting) snack foods, but those simple carbs will only make you feel worse. Ask a friend or family member to help you prepare grab-and-go fruits and veggies and nutrient-dense meals. Hummus and nut butters provide easy protein. Incorporate lean meats, fish, and healthy oils into your meals (Omega-3s are very effective in fighting the baby blues and balancing hormones).  Safe Catch Tuna  carefully tests their tuna for mercury. If you can’t get enough in your diet, try a supplement (prenatal or postnatal vitamins will help).

3.      Get outside – Getting some sunlight and Vitamin D can do wonders on your mood and overall health. A outdoor stroll is a great way to calm baby, too.

4.      Ask for help! – No one expects you to do this all on your own, and you shouldn’t expect that of yourself, either. Sometimes, friends and family aren’t sure what to do, so don’t hesitate to let them know exactly what you need help with when they offer.
 

Common Symptoms of Postpartum Depression Include:

 ·       Feeling hopeless or empty

·      Having thoughts of harming your baby

·      Having thoughts of harming yourself

·      Feeling disconnected from your baby

·      Lack of energy, purpose, or motivation

·      Eating or sleeping too little or too much

·      Memory problems

·      Feeling guilty or worthless

·      Chronic headaches, pain, or stomach problems without cause

·      Withdrawing from friends and family

If you have a few or all of these symptoms, it is not your fault and may be out of your control to fix – especially if you’ve tried the tips above without any relief. It’s important for your doctor to diagnose and treat your symptoms. Oftentimes, the treatment is only needed for a short period of time.