There is a good chance that you are on this page either because you heard about postnatal depression but can’t identify it or because you suspect that you have it. Here are some facts you should know about postnatal depression. It is estimated that one in ten women suffer from this illness after childbirth. In addition, it typically begins within six months after childbirth.
However, postnatal depression can occur during pregnancy in certain women. Furthermore, remember that postnatal depression can occur anytime within the first year following a baby’s birth and can last for longer than a year if no treatment is sought. In order to prevent the breakdown of relationship with your partner or children, seek assistance before postnatal depression worsens.
Having doubts whether this illness has been contracted? If you are suffering from postnatal depression, fret not. Here are some common postnatal depression symptoms.
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Anxiety And Fear Grip You
It is possible that you may feel very anxious about your baby, your partner or yourself, and even become obsessed with fears. Furthermore, you may feel unsafe if someone isn’t by your side. You require constant companionship. Having overwhelming fears also makes up another postnatal depression symptom, such as the fear that you or your baby will die.
Worrying Is In Your Nature
Worrying about something that normally wouldn’t bother you leads to unjustified concerns. There is no doubt that everyone has worries, but when worrying becomes more than it would normally be for you, then there is something wrong. If this is the case, you might be suffering with postnatal depression. Get in touch with a doctor as soon as possible.
Panic Attacks Are Uncontrollable
If you feel this way, you may also feel sick or faint, and your palms of your hands may become sweaty. It is common to suffer from an attack when in a new or stressful situation.
Feeling Tense
It seems impossible that no matter how hard you try, you can’t relax and unwind your neck and shoulders. As you try harder to relax, you just become tenser.
Postpartum depression can also cause physical pains and aches, as well as headaches, blurred vision, and stomach aches. This is a sign of tension, which also means that something is wrong with your body.
Irritability Is A Problem For You
There may be times when you snap at your child, baby, partner, or someone else for no apparent reason. It’s impossible for them to understand why you are angry with them and the reason why you shout at them.
Feeling Sad
Various levels of sadness exist, ranging from just feeling low, to deep despair that has you feeling like the world is nothing but an empty shell. Also, you spend all day thinking about your failures. It is possible that in the worst case scenario you may even think that your baby and partner will be happier without you.
Postpartum Depression Treatment
Psychosocial support, medication, and emotional support can be combined to effectively treat postnatal depression. While we see symptoms of PND there is a major component of treatment is antidepressant medication. Antidepressants will usually be prescribed to most women for six months to two years. Antidepressants can be taken during breastfeeding without the risk of addiction and are safe for women with postnatal depression.
By providing the individual with realistic strategies to manage their illness, cognitive behavior therapy is an effective therapy for reducing depression and anxiety. Stressful events are managed more effectively and depression is reduced.
In the case of suicidal women, those who could harm themselves or others, or those whose mood has not been stabilized, hospitalization is indicated. Mothers and babies should be admitted to mother-baby units. Until postpartum psychosis has been resolved, women in psychosis are admitted to mental health facilities without their babies.