Postpartum depression , or postpartum depression, is an illness that can affect the health of the mother as well as the baby. It is therefore common for new parents to feel stressed or anxious after their baby is born. Generally, these feelings ease as you get to know your baby and get into a care routine. For some new parents, this anxiety does not go away and caring for their baby becomes more difficult, leading to postpartum depression .
Postpartum depression is anxiety that occurs at any time from the moment of conception until about one year after the birth. In this, new parents may experience prenatal anxiety (during pregnancy) or postpartum anxiety. It is also called postpartum anxiety.
Postnatal depression does not usually focus on a single cause or event. The feelings of stress and worry that come with anxiety are difficult to control and can come on for no reason, but do not get better on their own. It is estimated that 1 in 7 new mothers and 1 in 10 new fathers experience anxiety after giving birth.
Many people experience postnatal depression. In fact, some symptoms of postnatal depression may be the same or similar to those of postnatal anxiety. These differences in mood become more intense as time passes. Parents find it difficult to talk about their feelings because they are worried about being criticized. Postpartum anxiety does not go away on its own; it needs to be recognized and treated.
It is common for new parents to experience postnatal anxiety and depression at the same time. This is the case for almost 50% of new parents diagnosed with these conditions. Many new parents with postpartum anxiety or depression also show symptoms or behaviors consistent with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). While research is ongoing, it is not yet known exactly how all the conditions are linked.
What are the symptoms of postpartum depression?
Postpartum depression can have both physical and emotional symptoms. It is the body's response to danger and threats, to worry about the health and safety of the baby or to check that they are being cared for properly. Many new parents describe the feeling of anxiety after childbirth as "going crazy" and not being able to control their thoughts. The physical symptoms of postpartum anxiety include
- Nightmares
- Appetite problems
- Immobilization
- Nausea or stomach pain
- Heart palpitations or rapid heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Tension in the muscles
Emotionally it can be felt through
- irritability
- Intense sense of fear
- Forgetfulness, distraction
- Anxious mood
- Obsessive thoughts
What Causes Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum anxiety has more than one cause. It is not correct to attribute this condition to a single cause. According to research, one of the main factors affecting this condition is the hormonal changes the body experiences after childbirth. After childbirth, hormones decrease very quickly. This can affect mood or make you overreact to stressful situations.
Healthy sleep is important, and problems with sleep patterns can occur when caring for a newborn baby. Lack of sleep can make a person more sensitive to stressful situations. Some of these situations can be important parts of new parenthood, such as breastfeeding, a difficult pregnancy or childbirth. Some people may be more likely to develop anxiety after childbirth than others. The risk of developing anxiety is higher in the following situations
- Have a family history of anxiety
- Personal experience with anxiety or depression
- Having a difficult pregnancy or delivery
- Previous traumatic events
- Providing care for more than one child
- Emotional trauma caused by childhood problems
How is postpartum depression diagnosed?
Ifsymptoms of postpartum anxiety are observed, it may be necessary to seek support from a specialist. In order to make a diagnosis and determine the right treatment, a medical history is needed. Providing accurate information about your symptoms and feelings will enable the specialist to diagnose the condition and decide on the best course of treatment. The proportion of people who experience postpartum anxiety is quite high. The important thing is to recognize and treat it before it is too late.
What is Postpartum Depression Treatment?
Postpartum depression can be treated just like postpartum depression. After making a diagnosis, the relevant specialist can make a personalized plan for the treatment process.
For people with milder postpartum anxiety, the specialist may recommend some methods to provide relaxing support at home. These may include advice such as getting enough sleep, taking some time for yourself and getting support, it is really important to take this time to relax.
For more serious postnatal anxiety problems, the specialist may recommend talk therapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy. CBT has been shown to be really effective when it comes to treating depressive disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). To treat the anxiety of some new parents, the specialist may recommend certain medications. These are the most common medications used to treat depression disorders. It is important to use these medicines in a controlled way as prescribed by the specialist for the treatment to be successful.