Postpartum Depression: How to Overcome it

Although the exact causes of PPD are still not known, women with a history of mental health conditions or depression are typically at higher risk to suffer this emotionally drenching phase. That doesn’t mean women who are healthy and have had smooth childbirth won’t face this trauma. Postpartum depression causes are many, and is related to the state of our body and the hormones after birth. Hormone imbalance after pregnancy and breastfeeding are also factors. Postpartum depression is a condition that gets triggered due to biological change and imbalance of brain chemicals or both. If you are asking why do people get postpartum depression, here are some factors that may contribute:

• Difficult labor and childbirth
• New responsibility of being a parent
• The obvious physical changes post pregnancy
• Sudden changes in the sleep cycle
• Hormonal changes due to a sudden and severe drop in estrogen and progesterone levels
• Difficulties in breastfeeding
• Post delivery health consequences such as blood pressure, metabolism alterations, urinary incontinence, anemia, etc
• History of mental health problems
• Financial crunches
• Lack of family support

Diagnosis

Doctors normally give the person with suspected PPD a depression-screening questionnaire to fill and based on the answers provided the diagnosis of the same is predicted.

Usual questions and inquiries like mood swing or hopelessness felt by the patient during the past month is noted by the doctor to detect the severity of the situation.

Some of the common questions asked by the experts are:

 An expert may ask patients if she has:

• Anxiety
• Difficulty in sleeping
• Concentration issue
• Lack of confidence
• Change in appetite
• Guilt factor
• Extreme tiredness
• Self-criticism
• Feeling suicidal

An individual who answers "yes" to three of the questions above probably have mild depression. A person with mild PPD is still able to continue with everyday activities. More "yes" answers suggest a more severe depression.

One who answers “yes” to three of the questions above is suggested to have mild depression and the mother with more yes answers suggests a severe depression.

If the mother answers "yes" to the question of harming themselves or the baby, it is automatically diagnosed as severe PPD.

Sometimes mothers with no spouse or relatives may not answer these questions openly for the obvious fear of the baby will be taken away from them if they get diagnosed with severe PPD. But infants won’t be separated from their mothers unless in severe situations where the individual is admitted in mental health clinic and likewise.

Some diagnostic tests such as blood test can be suggested to check the hormonal problems caused mostly by the thyroid gland and anemia.

The Treatment

PPD treatment varies from patient to patient as the severity of the same matters the most. Even though the recovery may take several months or longer, but the good news is it is treatable. Read on to find out how to overcome postpartum depression.

Antidepressants

Experts may prescribe antidepressants drugs that can help treat severe depressive disorders including PPD. These help to balance brain chemicals which then regulate the moods and behavior patterns of the patient. Antidepressants should be taken strictly under the doctor’s prescription as they are known to give side-effects and may merge with the breast milk.

Medication

In case of postnatal psychosis, medications such as tranquilizers may be prescribed where the mother experiences hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, and extreme irrational behavior. These medicines are generally specified for a short period of time. Side effects such as drowsiness, loss of balance, giddiness, and confusion are indicated.

Psychological Therapy