Postpartum Depression Treatment
Postpartum depression is a form of depression that strikes parents after childbi...read more
Postpartum depression is a form of depression that strikes parents after childbi...read more
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Postpartum means a time after childbirth, also called “Baby Blues”. Many women get hit by postpartum depression, which makes them feel sad and empty for a few days instantly after giving birth.
Postpartum depression, also called the Baby Blues phase, is an experience by new moms after childbirth. It includes mood swings, crying spells and anxiety. Postpartum depression can be treated by psychotherapy, also called talk therapy or mental health counselling.
Women in a postpartum phase or Baby Blues experience constant mood swings, crying spells, anxiety and difficulty while sleeping. Baby blues can begin instantly after childbirth and may last up to 2 weeks, and when it converts to postpartum depression, women need a therapist that helps them to deal with the process of the postpartum phase.
Three stages of postpartum depression start from the acute phase, which triggers instantly under 24 hours of child delivery. Then a woman gets hit by the Sub-Acute phase, lasting 2-4 weeks. Last phase it’s called Late-Phase, which can last up to 6 weeks.
Postpartum depression is a form of depression that strikes parents after childbirth. Like other forms of depression, PPD is remarked by extreme sadness and blues. Postpartum depression can also be on a spectrum, with an extreme taking the form of postpartum psychosis. According to one research, 33% of the women in Dubai suffer from a form of PPD.
Postpartum depression is mostly presumed to strike women; however, fathers are also susceptible to PPD. While the risk factors for postpartum depression in men are lesser since their bodies did not endure the trauma of childbirth nor are there hormonal changes occurring, nonetheless, the psychological effect of childbirth can strike them too.
Physical postpartum depression symptoms include:
Emotional and mental postpartum depression signs include:
Often, baby blues are confused with postpartum depression. However, they are both different, especially in their gravity.
Baby blues are normal to experience; your body has undergone trauma, your life has changed, you are responsible for a very vulnerable baby and your hormones are changing.
So, it is entirely understandable to have blues. These tend mostly to last for a couple of weeks and subside gradually on their own.
Some signs of baby blues include:
Postpartum depression, on the other hand, is more severe in terms of symptoms. Another key difference between the two is that blues tend to last for a shorter time, whereas the symptoms of depression tend to last for longer.
Postpartum depression symptoms tend to set in after birth. For women, there are hormonal changes that accompany labor, and hence their emotional health becomes precarious.
Similarly, for men, it is after the baby arrives that the gravity of the situation hits them. Also, the disruption to life and the responsibility towards the baby increases after the baby is born.
There is no fixed postpartum depression period, but the symptoms can last for up to a year. However, this does not mean you will be fine after precisely a year; the impact on your mental health might persist.
The most salient factor for postpartum depression in women is the hormonal changes. Essentially, during pregnancy, estrogen and progesterone are at an extremely high level, and these then decline sharply after delivery. Consequently, emotional and mood problems tend to set in.
Similarly, women may also experience a drop in their thyroid hormone levels. This can also contribute to PPD.
Women who have experienced traumatic labor are at a greater risk of getting PPD.
Having a baby is not easy but taking care of them is not any less daunting, especially for first-time parents. The constant fear of doing something wrong, not knowing what the right answer is, having the fear of public censure, and the pressure of being good parents can lead to extreme mental stress, resulting then in the symptoms of postpartum depression.
Some babies are especially difficult and managing them can be hard for the parents. There is a greater risk of PPD in such cases.
Babies are very demanding. They need to be fed, changed, and burped, constantly. This can take a great toll on the parents, but especially the mothers.
Women are not only recovering from the trauma of labor, but they also have to constantly be with the baby. The consequent exhaustion may cause burnout, stress, and signs of PPD.
Lack of sleep and poor diet in busy and very tired parents can also increase the risk of PPD.
Parents who do not have enough social or financial support have a greater risk of PPD.
Some babies do not survive after birth, leaving their parents bereft. The grief of losing the baby can also cause postpartum depression in the parents. Women might be hit harder, as their body gives them constant reminders of their loss.
People with a personal or family history of mental health issues have a greater chance of getting postpartum depression.
Parents who are into substance abuse have a greater risk of PPD.
Sometimes, knowledge can also be a curse. Reading too much parenting material can cause people to underestimate the parenting learning curve. As a result, they judge themselves for not being the perfect parents.
Judgment can also morph into guilt and shame. Moreover, some people might also put undue pressure on themselves because of their personality traits like perfectionism. However, life with a baby is messy, and not realizing this in time can make people depressed about their state.
If the baby has some medical issues, especially those that require a hospital stay, the parents are then more likely to have PPD.
Postpartum depression cannot be treated with natural remedies alone, but they certainly do help. Recommended interventions include:
You cannot entirely prevent postpartum depression; some steps can help with prognosis. These include:
Some natural remedies to help with lowering the risk of postpartum depression include:
If your partner or a friend has PPD, some things you can do include:
If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, the baby, or others, are hallucinating, or have insomnia and mood issues, you may have postpartum psychosis. It is a medical emergency, and you should seek help immediately.
There is so much pressure on women to be the perfect moms. They cannot talk to people about their struggles due to public censure and the stigma attached. Consequently, many women must bear not just the physical brunt of having a baby, but the emotional toll in the form of postpartum depression as well.
Hence, discussing the meaning of postpartum depression, its impact, and postpartum depression treatment is vital. Talking about it allows women to feel less isolated and normalizes seeking professional help from Fitcy Health.
Postpartum depression treatment is a composite of medication, therapy, or a combination of both.
Women may be prescribed antidepressants like SSRIs for the management of postpartum depression symptoms. They may be given hormone therapy as well.
Cognitive behavioral therapy, CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), has shown promising results. However, it may be hard for women to get therapy, which is why online operations at Fitcy Health are very convenient. You can easily find the psychologist in Dubai with their expertise and experiences.
Parents can seek therapy from the comfort of their homes. The average cost is also lower than most places in Dubai, and as new parents can be strapped for cash, it is a big advantage. The message dashboard allows parents to communicate whenever they feel overwhelmed.
The combination of therapy and medication is deemed a successful form of postpartum depression treatment.
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