How to recognize postpartum depression

The birth of a child is undoubtedly one of the greatest events we can live. It is news and an experience that fills us with enthusiasm since pregnancy, and that becomes palpable after childbirth, when we finally have our baby in our arms.

However, although the arrival of a baby is cause for joy, sometimes we can experience the opposite and even suffer depression. We tell you how to recognize postpartum depression And what should you do if you think you have it?

Depression after childbirth

Before talking in depth about the signs and symptoms that tell us that we could be going through postpartum depression, let's explain what it is. exist Three types of depression that can occur after having a baby: mild postpartum depression (also known as baby blues), major postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis.

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The postpartum major depression, which is what we usually talk about and refer to it simply as "postpartum depression", is the most frequent health complication after childbirth and according to information from the American Psychological Association, one in seven women suffers from postpartum depression and half of them begin to show symptoms since pregnancy.

It is very important to know the differences between these three types of depression that may occur in the postpartum period, in order to be able to correctly identify and recognize each of them, as well as knowing what measures we should take or how we can act.

For example, in the case of mild postpartum depression, a series of negative feelings or sadness may occur during the first days after delivery, but usually disappear in a matter of hours or 10 to 15 days after your delivery. This type of depression is very normal due to the whole process that the woman's body went through.

However, if the weeks go by and these feelings continue and the mother's mood does not improveThen we could be talking about a major postpartum depression.

Warning signs that indicate possible postpartum depression

Postpartum depression is a complex condition whose symptoms may vary from one woman to another. However, in addition to presenting the symptoms of baby blues or mild postpartum depression, between the most frequent symptoms We found the following:

  • You don't feel a bond or connection with your baby and you feel unable to have it.
  • You have lost interest in those things that previously made you happy or liked you.
  • You feel sad all the time and you can't get out of that state.
  • You present episodes of uncontrollable crying and without reason.
  • You have a huge feeling of guilt.
  • Your eating habits change dramatically and go to extremes: you overeat or totally lose your appetite.
  • You feel nervous most of the time.
  • You are afraid of being alone with your baby.
  • You have a lot of difficulty sleeping, or on the contrary, you sleep excessively.
  • You are not interested in your baby, partner, family or friends (social isolation).
  • You have thought about harming yourself or your baby.
  • You have the feeling of having "very fast thoughts" that you cannot control or stop.
  • You have exaggerated changes in your mood (you feel very very bad or very very angry).
  • You feel that you are not or will not be a good mother.
  • You have regrets about being a mother.

As we commented, not all women have the same symptoms and they may not all occur at the same time. Even some symptoms of postpartum depression can be considered normal after giving birth, such as lack of appetite and extreme tiredness, since the first months with a baby at home can be very difficult.

In Babies and more 40 percent of mothers feel overwhelmed, anxious and depressed during the first months after the arrival of their baby

Why it is important to recognize it

Recognize postpartum depression It is extremely important to start fighting it as soon as possible. Being an invisible disease, this is not always easy and for many people it goes unnoticed when a mother suffers from it.

In addition, the social pressure to make women think that they should feel radiant with happiness because their baby has already been born, makes it very difficult for those who have depression to approach for help.

Although postpartum depression is usually temporary, in some cases it is not so, so it is important to be attentive to possible warning signs that indicate her presence and be aware of the time we have been feeling that way. If postpartum depression is not detected or treated it can continue to increase, evolving to a postpartum psychosis or having a tragic end.

Another reason why it is important to recognize and treat it is that postpartum depression could affect much more than we think, since according to one study, women whose postpartum depression was persistent, were more likely to have significant symptoms of depression up to 11 years later Having had your children.

What can you do if you have postpartum depression

If you identify yourself with the aforementioned symptoms, and a month or more goes by without your mood improving, you are likely to suffer from postpartum depression. If so, the most important thing you should do is ask for help. Do not try to resolve postpartum depression by yourself or try to hide it, either because of guilt, shame or fear of being judged..

The most effective way to prevent and combat postpartum depression is psychological therapy, so you should find a psychologist who can help you as soon as possible. If you don't know one, tell your gynecologist and he will recommend one or an institution you can go to.

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Caring for mental health when you are a mother is the same or even more important than caring for physical health. Recognizing postpartum depression will not only help us treat it so we can feel better, but it will make us happier mothers and consequently, more loving and present mothers, also benefiting our children.

Photos | iStock

Video: "Baby Blues" -- or Postpartum Depression? (March 2024).