Know Everything About Postpartum Depression

We have talked about depression as the mental disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness many times. Mentioning how it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and how to kill it. Now we will discuss postpartum depression, a type of depression that can affect both male and female postnatal parents and make them feel like they are hopeless or helpless with their babies.

It is very famous and therefore we will explore exactly what it means to it and how to find help to battle it if you’re at risk for this condition.

What is Postpartum Depression?

Postpartum depression (PPD), also known as a postpartum mood disorder or postpartum anxiety, is a type of major depressive disorder that can occur in both men and women. It’s the most common cause of childless women becoming depressed or suicidal. 

Symptoms & Signs of Postpartum Depression

• Depression can persist for at least 2 months after childbirth or longer if it’s not treated. Symptoms are severe enough to interfere with your daily life.

• Low self-esteem, loss of interest in taking care of yourself, and irritability.

• Problems with attention, memory, and concentration.

• Fatigue. Sometimes fatigue is so severe that you can barely get out of bed. You may feel like you have no energy or are constantly exhausted. You may experience weight gain or loss of weight without trying to change your eating habits.

• Feeling hopeless and helpless.

• Becoming unable to take care of your personal responsibilities, such as caring for the children or paying the bills or housework.

• Changes in your mood, such as extreme sadness that persists for more than 2 weeks (which may be described as disinterest in activities you normally enjoy).

• Changes in sleep patterns and appetite, including insomnia or sleeping more than usual and loss of appetite or increased appetite (for example, craving sweets). This can lead to weight gain or loss.

What To Do About Postpartum Depression

If you think you may be suffering from PPD, here are some tips that can help battle it:

1. Take Your Normal Prenatal Vitamins

You must take your Prenatal Vitamins. The ones recommended for birth during pregnancy also contain folic acid and iron, both needed to treat depression.

2. Seek Professional Help  

If a loved one develops symptoms of PPD during or after pregnancy, contact a physician immediately to get medical care. 5 If symptoms persist, see a mental health professional who can help you or refer you to someone who can. 

Talking therapy is effective and has been proven to treat PPD effectively. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a useful form of psychotherapy in which the therapist helps you recognize your thoughts and behaviors that aren’t helpful and then teaches you to change them by rehearsing new habits and learning more effective ways of coping with stress and negative feelings.

3.  Be Careful of Sleep Deprivation 

Sleep is important to health and especially to your recovery from PPD. Caffeine and alcohol can make sleep difficult, too, so slow down on the caffeine or alcohol if you’re feeling down.

4. Exercise Regularly 

Exercise helps keep you feeling good and reduces depression by increasing serotonin levels in your body. Research shows that exercise decreases depression in pregnant women and improves postpartum depression symptoms.

5. Get Out in The Sun 

Vitamin D is important for your mood and your ability to manage depression. It’s also a nutrient that comes from sunlight exposure on all parts of your body, not just your skin. See the page on pregnancy and depression for more information on how enough vitamin D can make a difference for you.

In a nutshell, postpartum depression can strike at any time and any place, but it’s treatable. Help is available, and you can get through this if you did the work with your doctor and seek professional help.