You've probably heard about the "baby blues". Feeling sad or very tired is relatively common among new mothers. About 80% of mothers have these feelings for one to two weeks after giving birth. This is something that is considered normal and usually subsides within a few weeks. But postpartum depression is different - the symptoms are more intense and last longer.
About 15% of women who have given birth develop postpartum depression, which can cause mood swings, fatigue, and hopelessness. The intensity of these feelings can make maternal care of the baby difficult. With proper treatment it can be overcome effectively. In this Psychology-Online article we explain all the symptoms of postpartum depression in women.
Index
- Mental disorders related to pregnancy
- Symptoms of postpartum depression
- Causes of postpartum depression
- Serious symptoms if treatment is not started
- Postpartum psychosis
Mental disorders related to pregnancy.
Professionals based on severity have identified a series of mental problems related to childbirth:
Postpartum sadness or "baby blues"
It is the mildest form and is considered normal given the many changes that childbirth and motherhood entail for women. Some symptoms are:
- Crying
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Rapid mood swings
Postpartum depression
We speak of postpartum depression when the symptoms persist for two or three weeks after delivery and affect the normal functioning of the woman, that is, her life. Some symptoms are persistent sadness, anxiety, appetite changes, anxiety, etc.
Postpartum psychosis
Professionals consider psychosis to have very serious mental or physical effects. It is relatively common for some mothers to experience sadness, fear, or anxiety, but when these symptoms persist and even turn into dangerous or harmful thoughts, the woman already has psychosis postpartum.
Symptoms of postpartum depression.
Symptoms of postpartum depression they vary from one case to another, even in the same case there is great variety. Symptoms usually appear weeks or months after delivery. In general, some of the symptoms can be:
- Extreme sadness or crying, even without knowing the cause
- Tiredness
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping excessively
- Increase or loss of appetite
- Unexplained pains
- Irritability, anxiety, or anger
- Sudden mood swings
- Feeling out of control
- Difficulty remembering things
- Trouble concentrating or making decisions
- Loss of interest in activities that were previously enjoyed
- Feelings of guilt
- Unsafety
- Self-harm
Causes of postpartum depression.
To this day, we do not know the cause of postpartum depression, but there are emotional or physical factors that can contribute to postpartum depression.
Physical factors
After childbirth, the woman experiences significant hormonal changes, because while she is pregnant, her estrogen and progesterone levels are higher than normal. However, during labor hours, these levels return to their normal state. This sudden change can lead to postpartum depression.
Other physical factors can be:
- Low thyroid hormone levels
- Low serotonin
- Lack of sleep
- Improper diet
- Underlying medical problems
- Alcohol or substance abuse
Emotional factors
A woman with a history of postpartum depression in her family is more likely to develop depression after giving birth.
Some of the emotional factors that can influence the development of postpartum depression are:
- Recent divorce or death of a loved one
- Health problems of your own or the baby
- Social isolation
- Financial problems
- Lack of social support
Serious symptoms if treatment is not started.
Without treatment, the severity of depression increases, especially when it involves a series of thoughts related to harm herself or others. Once these thoughts are triggered, treatment is strictly necessary.
Some of the signs that reveal the severity of postpartum depression are:
- Hallucinations auditory, olfactory, or visual
- Illusions or irrational thoughts related to insignificant things or persecution
- Disorientation, confusion, or nonsense speech
- Strange or eccentric behaviors
- Violent actions
- Thoughts or suicide attempts
- Thoughts related to harm the baby
If a woman with postpartum depression shows any of these signs, she should see a specialist immediately to start treatment.
Postpartum psychosis.
The most serious expression of postpartum depression is postpartum psychosis, although it is not usually very common, it can occur during the first weeks after delivery. Psychosis is more likely if you have a history of mood disorders, especially often related to bipolar disorder.
The first symptoms are restlessness, irritability, and insomnia. Normally the woman's environment justifies these symptoms due to fatigue, lack of sleep, etc. Hallucinations and illusions are also common.
Other symptoms can be:
- Confusion, disorientation
- Feelings of anger for no apparent reason
- Violent behaviors, such as throwing objects, breaking things, or attacking nearby people
- Sudden mood swings
- Preoccupation with death, being able to experience suicidal thoughts or attempts
- Intrusive thoughts about the baby, such as blaming him for her situation.
As we said before, postpartum psychosis is the most severe form of postpartum depression and it poses a real threat to the life of the woman and the baby. For its treatment, hospitalization and a combination of psychotherapy and antipsychotics are usually recommended.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to Postpartum depression symptoms in women, we recommend that you enter our category of Clinical psychology.
