Depression Treatment Care

Your new baby is here! Everyone is joyous, happy, and grateful that the birth went smoothly and you came out of it fine. So how come you’re feeling sad for no reason? Will this feeling ever end?

After childbirth, many women experience symptoms of depression that can range from a brief attack of the “baby blues” to a serious and major clinical depression known as postpartum depression. A great majority of new mothers, about 80%, will experience a mild form of “baby blues”, usually within a few days after giving birth. These feelings will usually resolve on their own and disappear over a few weeks time. Postpartum depression affects about 10% to 15% of new mothers. This type of depression can affect women who have never been depressed before. Approximately 50% of women who were depressed during or after their pregnancy will also experience depression during future pregnancies.

Postpartum psychosis is the most severe form of postpartum depression. It is relatively rare, and requires immediate discussion and treatment with a qualified health-care provider.

What Causes Postpartum Depression ?

There has been no single cause identified for postpartum depression. In fact, many factors can contribute to it. They may include:

• hormonal changes
• disappointment in birth experience
• a sense of loss from no longer being pregnant
• level of marital satisfaction
• caring for a very needy baby
• lack of family and social support
• exhaustion
• family history of postpartum depression
• history of depression

Symptoms of Postpartum Depression

An expectant or new mother may experience some of the following symptoms:

• Sluggishness, fatigue, exhaustion
• Feeling sad, worthless or hopeless
• Feeling tense, anxious or ‘on edge’
• Mood swings, emotional outbursts or unexplained crying
• Irritability, anger, short temper or argumentative
• Sleep problems; either too much sleep, sleep at the wrong time, or insomnia
• Changes in appetite
• Loss of concentration, memory problems or confusion
• Feeling overwhelmed or thoughts of suicide
• Overprotective or overly concerned for the baby
• Fear of harming the baby or yourself
• Lack of interest in sex

Treatment For Postpartum Depression

Women with a history of depression or mood disorder, or who have family members who have experienced depression are at an increased risk for developing postpartum depression, as are women taxed by a stressful home environment or relationship, women who have a baby with a health problems or who is fussy, women experiencing a late-term miscarriage or stillbirth (and thus not bringing home a baby), and women whose pregnancy was unplanned.

Postpartum depression usually resolves within 9 months following the birth of a baby. However, the feelings associated with postpartum depression can be so severe as to interfere with your daily routines and make it difficult for you to care for yourself and your baby.

Psychotherapy, counseling, support groups, and antidepressant medications can be used to treat postpartum depression. Speak to your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms of postpartum depression for more than two weeks in a row. He or she can work with you to find a combination of treatments that will best help you recover your balance. Remember: experiencing depression after giving birth is completely normal. There is no shame in asking for help.