Taking a Closer Look at Postpartum Depression: A Complete Guide
Overview
This article provides a comprehensive overview of postpartum depression (PPD), simplified to make people understand its symptoms, causes, risk factors, and available treatment options.
It also highlights the importance of seeking professional help and offers strategies for prevention and coping.
Introduction
For most mothers, the arrival of a newborn baby is a time of immense joy and excitement. That was not the case for Mrs. Tasha, because this happy occasion became a nightmare. She felt sad and empty, rather than the joy that should have come with motherhood. She would sometimes have trouble sleeping and regret being a mother. She was uninterested in doing anything, and everyone around her noticed her mood swings. The once-joyful and accommodating woman has turned into a sadist who prefers to be alone. Her family expected everything to return to normal within one or two weeks, but it persisted and worsened over time as she struggled to concentrate and gradually lost strength. At this point, Mrs. Tasha realized something was wrong with her and needed help. She consulted her doctor, who diagnosed her with postpartum depression. Her symptoms progressively got better with medicine, counseling, and support. She enjoyed her new role as a mother and was able to connect with her son. Like Mrs. Tasha, a lot of new moms suffer from PPD.
PPD is a serious mental health condition or mood disorder that affects women within a year of giving birth. It affects millions of women around the world, but it is often stigmatized and misunderstood. According to the American Psychological Association, PPD affects up to 1 in 7 women within the first year after giving birth. It is more common than gestational diabetes or preeclampsia, yet it often goes undiagnosed and untreated[1].
Postpartum depression does not disappear on its own. It can appear days or even months after giving birth, and it can last for weeks or months if not treated. PPD can make it difficult to get through the day and can impair your ability to care for your baby or yourself. PPD can affect any woman—those with easy or difficult pregnancies, first-time mothers and mothers with one or more children, married and unmarried, regardless of income, age, race or ethnicity, culture, or education.
Although PPD is more common in mothers, it can also affect fathers. PPD affects about 8 to 10 percent of fathers and has the highest prevalence within 3 to 6 months postpartum, but it can develop gradually over a year rather than four weeks[2]. Men may also be more prone to irritability, indecisiveness, and a limited range of emotions.
Symptoms and Causes
PPD is characterized by a wide range of symptoms that can vary in severity and duration. It may be challenging to identify the symptoms. However, common symptoms of PPD include typical signs of depression like;
Changes in mood are often characterized by periods of crying, sadness, anger, and nervousness
Lack of interest in and difficulty bonding with the child
Thoughts of suicide
Persistent sadness, anxiety, and nervousness
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and inability or inadequacy
Changes in sleep patterns (lack of sleep or excessive sleep)
Changes in appetite (overeating or loss of appetite)
Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
Physical symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and muscle aches
These symptoms typically occur four to six weeks after delivery. This period is the high-risk period and more attention should be given to the mothers or potential victims.
Causes of Postpartum depression
The exact causes of PPD are not fully understood, but it is believed to be triggered by a combination of physical, hormonal, and psychological factors. Hormonal changes after childbirth, sleep deprivation, and the stress of caring for a newborn can all contribute to the development of PPD. Other causes may include:
Genetics: Studies show that having a family history of postpartum depression — especially if it was major — increases the risk of experiencing postpartum depression[3].
Physical changes: After childbirth, a dramatic drop in the hormones estrogen and progesterone in your body may contribute to postpartum depression. Other hormones produced by your thyroid gland may also drop sharply — which can leave you feeling tired, sluggish, and depressed.
Emotional issues: When you're sleep-deprived and overwhelmed, you may have trouble handling even minor problems. You may be anxious about your ability to care for a newborn. You may feel less attractive, struggle with your sense of identity, or feel that you've lost control over your life. Any of these issues can contribute to postpartum depression.
Risk Factors of PPD
Sometimes, there is no real link to postpartum depression but certain factors can increase a woman's risk of developing PPD. These factors are;
A history of mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety
A family history of PPD
Stressful life events, such as financial difficulties or relationship problems
Lack of social support
Complications during pregnancy or childbirth
Having a baby with special needs
Effects of PPD on mother and children
If left untreated, postpartum depression can interfere with mother-child bonding and cause family problems.
For mothers: Untreated postpartum depression can last for months or longer, sometimes becoming an ongoing depressive disorder. Mothers may stop breastfeeding, have problems bonding with and caring for their infants, and be at increased risk of suicide. Even when treated, postpartum depression increases a woman's risk of future episodes of major depression.
For the other parent: Postpartum depression can have a ripple effect, causing emotional strain for everyone close to a new baby. When a new mother is depressed, the risk of depression in the baby's other parent may also increase. And the other parent may already have an increased risk of depression, whether or not their partner is affected.
For children: Children of mothers who have untreated postpartum depression are more likely to have emotional and behavioral problems, such as sleeping and eating difficulties, crying too much, and delays in language development.
Differential diagnosis of PPD
Postpartum depression manifests after birth and requires treatment or therapy. However, other conditions closely manifest like PPD. It's important to know these similar conditions to understand the differences between them. These conditions include;
Baby Blues Many women get postpartum blues, also called the "baby blues," during the first few days after childbirth. They may lose sleep, feel irritable, cry easily, and feel happy one minute and sad the next. The "baby blues" usually peak around the fourth day and then ease up in less than 2 weeks without treatment.
Postpartum psychosis Postpartum psychosis (or puerperal psychosis) is a severe mental illness. It starts suddenly in the days or weeks after having a baby. Symptoms vary and can change rapidly. They can include high mood (mania), depression, confusion, hallucinations (hearing, seeing, feeling, smelling, or even tasting things that are not real), and delusions (inability to distinguish between what is real and what only seems to be real). It is a psychiatric emergency - you should seek help as quickly as possible.
Treatment Options
Although not everyone recovers in the same way, PPD is a treatable condition, and there is a range of effective treatment/support options available[4]. These include:
Medication: Antidepressants can help to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Therapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT) are two types of therapy that are effective in treating PPD.
Self-care strategies: Exercise, healthy eating, and getting enough sleep can all help to improve mood and reduce stress.
Support groups: Joining a support group can provide a sense of community and support from others who understand what you are going through.
Prevention and Coping mechanism
While there is no surefire way to prevent PPD, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk: These steps include the following;
Build a support network: Surround yourself with people who will provide you with emotional and practical support after the baby is born.
Practice stress management: Learn relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises.
Take care of your physical health: Eat a healthy diet, get regular exercise, and get enough sleep.
If you or someone you know is struggling with postpartum depression, please reach out for help. There are many resources available to support you on your journey to recovery.
Conclusion
Postpartum depression is a serious but treatable condition that affects many new mothers. It is important to recognize the symptoms, understand the risk factors, and seek help if you suspect you may be experiencing PPD. With the right treatment and support, you can recover from PPD and enjoy the joys of motherhood.
References
https://www.apa.org/topics/women-girls/postpartum-depression. Available here
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6659987/ Available here
Carlson K, Mughal S, Azhar Y, et al. Postpartum Depression. [Updated 2024 Aug 12]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available here
Sheffler ZM, Patel P, Abdijadid S. Antidepressants. [Updated 2023 May 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available here
Postpartum Support International:https://www.postpartum.net/ available here
National Alliance on Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/ available here
Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board