Help Someone With Postpartum Depression – 1 in 5 women experience mental health problems after giving birth, with depression being one of the most common problems.
This page was clinically reviewed by Dr Donna Grant (MBBS, MCRPsych, BSc Hons), Consultant Psychiatrist at Priory Hospital Chelmsford in November 2021.
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Help Someone With Postpartum Depression
Depression in the postpartum period (the first year after the birth of a child) is called postpartum depression. It is sometimes called postpartum depression.
Things You Might Not Know About Postpartum Depression & Anxiety
It’s normal to experience a wide range of emotions in the first year after a baby is born. Becoming a parent is one of the most important life transitions you will experience; It can be the most rewarding thing you ever do and yet one of the most challenging. Sometimes you may feel happy and excited. At other times you may feel anxious, worried, overwhelmed or negative – all of which can be signs of postpartum depression. Postpartum depression doesn’t just affect new mothers; Partners and men are also likely to experience this.
Depression in the postpartum period shares many similarities with other types of depression. The main difference is that your anxious and negative thoughts, which are common in depression, are often focused on your new baby.
The extent to which your depressive symptoms affect your ability to care for your child varies from person to person. Many new mothers continue to care for their babies even when they are sick. However, if you have postpartum depression, you may need help caring for your baby and other children until you recover.
You don’t have to struggle with a mental health condition; Specialist treatment is available. Get the help you need today by calling us on: 0330 056 6020 or by submitting an online inquiry form.
Comprehensive Guide To Postpartum Depression
Unfortunately, in some cases, women, their families, and even health professionals don’t recognize that new mothers have postpartum depression, which means many women wait longer than necessary before seeking treatment. Some possible reasons for this include:
Anyone can be affected by mental health issues in the postpartum period, so don’t be afraid to ask for help if you feel unwell.
After childbirth, 50-80% of women also go through what is known as the “baby blues”. It usually starts within 3-4 days of birth and resolves within two weeks. Symptoms include:
Baby blues are mainly attributed to the hormonal changes taking place in the body. However, unlike postpartum depression, baby blues usually resolves on its own without treatment and does not affect your daily functioning.
Postpartum Depression & Going Back To Work
If you’re still experiencing the above symptoms for more than two weeks, it could be that you’re struggling with postpartum depression, similar to the baby blues. If this is the case, it is really important that you get help.
There is no single cause of postpartum depression. There are many different biological, psychological and social factors that can lead to postpartum depression. Some factors linked to postpartum depression include:
If you’re struggling with low mood and symptoms of depression in the postpartum months, it’s worth keeping in mind some key strategies, thought processes and principles that can help you cope.
At Priory, we can provide specialist treatment for postpartum depression in a nationwide network of hospitals and wellness centers. We can also provide help for antenatal depression (depression during pregnancy).
Silenced By Fear: New Moms Worry Admitting To Postpartum Depression Could Mean Losing Their Children
Your mental health during pregnancy and after childbirth is just as important as your physical health during this time. The right treatment will help you stay as healthy as possible and enjoy family life.
“People shouldn’t be afraid to talk about it. A lot of people stay home and stay quiet. I think that’s the wrong thing to do.”
Depending on how severe your postpartum depression symptoms are, we may offer different treatment programs:
We can also offer several different therapy formats to help you with your postpartum depression. These include:
Celebrity Moms Who Battled Postpartum Depression
The main type of therapy we use to treat postpartum depression is a technique called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It helps you change your negative thought patterns, which are common in postpartum depression. During pregnancy or after birth, depression means you lack confidence or judge yourself negatively as a parent. CBT aims to challenge these thoughts and give you techniques to improve your mood. It can help you feel more confident as a parent and enjoy your pregnancy, baby and other babies more.
Antidepressants can be used on their own or alongside CBT to treat antenatal and postnatal depression. If you have very severe depression, or if your depression doesn’t improve with talk therapy, it may mean that you need antidepressant medication.
There are many types of antidepressant medications. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often used to treat depression during pregnancy and postpartum. It helps restore the balance of chemicals in your brain that are known to regulate mood and emotions. You may have taken antidepressants before you became pregnant, or you may need to take them during pregnancy or after giving birth.
Regardless, you should discuss the safety of antidepressants during pregnancy and breastfeeding with your doctor. Your doctor will help you weigh the benefits of this type of treatment in your individual case. If you are taking antidepressant medication while pregnant, it is important that you stop without first seeking professional advice.
Tips For Coping With Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression can have a devastating effect on what could have been a fun time in your life. It is important to remember that postpartum depression is completely treatable, and with the help of a specialist you can recover and enjoy family life.
For details of how the Priory can provide you with mental health and wellbeing support, please call 0330 056 6020 or click here to submit an inquiry form. For professionals looking to make a referral, please provide here Many new mothers experience the “baby blues” after giving birth, which is characterized by symptoms such as mood swings, crying spells, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. Baby blues usually start two or three days after birth and can last up to two weeks. But some new mothers experience a more permanent form of the baby blues known as postpartum depression. If you are close to a new mother with this condition, here are some tips on how to help someone with postpartum depression overcome their symptoms.
Postpartum depression is often mistaken for the baby blues, but symptoms usually last longer and are more intense. Ultimately, they can interfere with a person’s daily life and ability to care for their child. It is also important to note that postpartum depression can occur in both men and women after childbirth.
Symptoms of postpartum depression include depressed mood, severe mood swings, excessive crying, difficulty bonding with the baby, and more. This condition makes it difficult for new parents to bond with and care for their children, sometimes they don’t even want to be with their children. If you know someone with this condition, below are some tips on how to help someone with postpartum depression manage their symptoms.
Postpartum Depression Nursing Care And Management
If you know someone who needs support for postpartum depression, they probably feel sad, lonely, guilty, and ashamed. They may feel that they are not a good mother or father because of how they feel and don’t believe they can be good parents. At this time, the future may seem bleak, but sometimes lending an ear can help.
One of the best ways to help with postpartum depression recovery is by listening to the person and showing them that you’re around for the long haul. Sit and listen patiently as they pour out their feelings and give them a shoulder to cry on. By being there and actively listening to them, you’re validating their feelings and providing a much-needed sense of comfort.
You can remind the person that they can feel two things at once. They can love their child with all their heart and accept their symptoms. Your job is not to remove feelings, but to make the person feel heard.
As we mentioned, many parents with postpartum depression feel shame because they don’t want to spend time with or care about their new babies. Postpartum depression is both chemical and psychological, and it can make it difficult for a new parent to fulfill their role as a mother or father.
How To Recognize The Signs Of Postpartum Depression
But you have to remember – it’s not their fault. This person is not intentionally being cold or harsh to their new baby. They are just struggling with their symptoms. With this in mind, be careful not to judge the person, but instead, remind them that what they are feeling is a result of their disorder.
If you are someone with children, don’t compare your experience to theirs. Don’t say things like, “When I had a child, I did this,” or “If you do this, you will do this.”
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