NAME: Mbeng Bessonganyi Topic: Postpartum Depression What Is Postpartum Depression?
NAME: Mbeng Bessonganyi Topic: Postpartum Depression What Is Postpartum Depression?
NAME: Mbeng Bessonganyi Topic: Postpartum Depression What Is Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a complex mix of physical, emotional, and behavioral changes
that happen in some women after giving birth. According to the DSM-5, a manual used to
diagnose mental disorders, PPD is a form of major depression that begins within 4 weeks after
delivery. The diagnosis of postpartum depression is based not only on the length of time between
delivery and onset, but also on the severity of the depression.
Postpartum depression is linked to chemical, social, and psychological changes that happen when
having a baby. The term describes a range of physical and emotional changes that many new
mothers experience. PPD can be treated with medication and counseling.
The chemical changes involve a rapid drop in hormones after delivery. The actual link between
this drop and depression is still not clear. But what is known is that the levels of estrogen and
progesterone, the female reproductive hormones, increased tenfold during pregnancy. Then, they
drop sharply after delivery. By 3 days after a woman gives birth, the levels of these hormones
drop back to what they were before they got pregnant.
In addition to these chemical changes, the social and psychological changes of having a baby
create an increased risk of depression.
Most new mothers experience the "baby blues" after delivery. About 1 out of every 10 of these
women will develop a more severe and longer-lasting depression after delivery. About 1 in 1,000
women develops a more serious condition called postpartum psychosis.
Difficulty sleeping
Appetite changes
Excessive fatigue
Decreased libido
Age at time of pregnancy -- the younger you are, the higher the chances
Children -- the more you have, the more likely you are to be depressed in a subsequent
pregnancy
Living alone
Marital conflict
There’s no one cause of postpartum depression, but these physical and emotional issues may
contribute:
Hormones. The dramatic drop in estrogen and progesterone after you give birth may play
a role. Other hormones produced by your thyroid gland also may drop sharply and make
you feel tired, sluggish and depressed.
Lack of sleep. When you're sleep deprived and overwhelmed, you may have trouble
handling even minor problems.
There are three terms used to describe the mood changes women can have after giving
birth:
The "baby blues," which occur in most women in the days right after childbirth, are
common. You may have sudden mood swings, such as feeling very happy and then
feeling very sad. You may cry for no reason and can feel impatient, irritable, restless,
anxious, lonely, and sad. The baby blues may last only a few hours or as long as 1 to 2
weeks after delivery. Usually, you don’t need treatment from a health care provider for
baby blues. Often, joining a support group of new moms or talking with other moms
helps.
Postpartum depression (PPD) can happen a few days or even months after childbirth.
PPD can happen after the birth of any child, not just the first child. You can have feelings
similar to the baby blues -- sadness, despair, anxiety, irritability -- but you feel them
much more strongly. PPD often keeps you from doing the things you need to do every
day. When your ability to function is affected, you need to see their health care provider,
such as your ob-gyn or primary care doctor. This doctor can screen you for depression
symptoms and develop a treatment plan. If you don’t get treatment for PPD, symptoms
can get worse. While PPD is a serious condition, it can be treated with medication and
counseling.
Postpartum psychosis is a very serious mental illness that can affect new mothers. This
illness can happen quickly, often within the first 3 months after childbirth. Women can
lose touch with reality, having auditory hallucinations (hearing things that aren't actually
happening, like a person talking) and delusions (strongly believing things that are clearly
irrational). Visual hallucinations (seeing things that aren't there) are less common. Other
symptoms include insomnia (not being able to sleep), feeling agitated and angry, pacing,
restlessness, and strange feelings and behaviors. Women who have postpartum psychosis
need treatment right away and almost always need medication. Sometimes women are
put into the hospital because they are at risk for hurting themselves or someone else.
Postpartum depression that isn’t treated can weaken your ability to bond with your baby,
and affect the whole family:
You. Postpartum depression that’s not treated can last for months or longer, even
turning into a chronic depressive disorder. Even when treated, postpartum
depression can make you more likely to have episodes of depression in the future.
The baby’s father. When a new mother has depression, the father may be more
likely to have depression too.
Children. Children of mothers with postpartum depression are more likely to have
problems with sleeping and eating, crying more than usual, and delays in
language development.
During pregnancy. Your doctor can monitor you for symptoms. You can manage
mild depression symptoms with support groups, counseling, or other therapies.
Your doctor may prescribe medications, even while you’re pregnant.
After your baby is born. Your doctor may recommend an early postpartum
checkup to look for symptoms of depression. The earlier you’re diagnosed, the
earlier you can begin treatment. If you have a history of postpartum depression,
your doctor may recommend treatment as soon as you have the baby.
Reference
https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/postpartum-depression#1
https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/postpartum-depression#2
https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/postpartum-depression#3
https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/postpartum-depression#4