From the monthly archives:

February 2009

How Do I Know if I Have Postpartum Depression?

Public health authorities estimate that between ten and thirteen percent of new mothers and women who deliver subsequent babies experience postpartum depression symptoms of varying severity. You may be one of many women who get the “baby blues,” a mild state of sadness or moodiness brought about by hormonal changes or fatigue. This condition usually improves in a few days. However, if you have persistent feelings—lasting two weeks or more—of deep sadness, fear, anxiety, sleeplessness, loss of appetite, disinterest in the baby or in activities that you formerly enjoyed, extreme forgetfulness, or other negative feelings, you may need to ask your doctor to administer a test for postpartum depression. Ignoring the condition will not help it improve, and can lead to even more serious and debilitating symptoms.

Tests and Diagnosis for Postpartum Depression

Your physician can have you complete a screening questionnaire to help determine whether you may be suffering from postpartum depression. The test will ask you various things about your feelings, experiences, habits, and circumstances. Additionally, you may need a blood test to determine whether certain chemical normally produced in the thyroid gland are present in abnormally low levels. A low-functioning thyroid can often produce symptoms of postpartum depression, and tests for the presence of these chemicals in the blood are an effective way to diagnose this condition so that it can be effectively treated.

Get the Help You Need!

Some women suffering postpartum depression are ashamed of their feelings. They attempt to hide their feelings from family members and even their doctor. You should not do this. Postpartum depression is not a character flaw; it is a medical condition, and a simple test for postpartum depression can help you get back on the road to feeling better and being able to take care of yourself, your baby, and your family in the way you expect of yourself.

Take an Online Test for Postpartum Depression

If you think you may have postpartum depression, you can take a questionnaire online that could give you some clues about whether you need to see your doctor, who can administer a more authoritative postpartum depression test. Go to http://www.testandcalc.com/etc/tests/edin.asp and answer the questions on this online survey, called the “Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.” Be honest. If this online test indicates that you may be at risk, talk to your doctor. You, your baby, and your loved ones will be glad you did. And you’ll have taken that all-important first step toward better mental health.

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Dealing with Postpartum Depression and Anxiety

Estimates indicate that somewhere between ten and thirteen percent of women who deliver babies experience postpartum depression and sometimes, anxiety. Anxiety and postpartum depression often go hand-in-hand simply because of the immense life changes that occur with the arrival of a baby. Even in women with no previous history of depression, worries about being a good mother, unrealistic expectations of themselves, massive hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy and childbirth, and the financial changes that often accompany parenthood can combine to create a situation where postpartum depression and anxiety can lead to overwhelming feelings of helplessness, fear, sadness, listlessness, sleep difficulties, and paralyzing disinterest in activities that you once found enjoyable and interesting.

Talk to Your Doctor

If you are experiencing any of the above feelings, and especially if the feelings have persisted more than a couple of weeks following the birth of your baby, you should consult your physician. Your doctor can administer a simple test for postpartum depression to determine if you would benefit from drug therapy or counseling. Anxiety and postpartum depression are potentially serious conditions—much more than just “a case of the blues” that goes away in a couple of days. If left untreated or ignored, postpartum depression and anxiety can deepen and intensify, making your life—and that of your baby and loved ones—needlessly difficult.

Risk Factors

Some women can be more at risk than others for postpartum depression and anxiety. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (www.womenshealth.gov), you may be at greater risk if you have a history of substance abuse, if you are becoming a mother at a very young age, if you have had difficulties with previous pregnancies, if you have a previous history or family history of depression, if you have anxious or negative feelings about your pregnancy, if you are not receiving emotional or other support from friends and family during your pregnancy, or if you have recently experienced other stressful life events. If you believe you have one or more of these risk factors, you should discuss it with your doctor and decide on a course that could prevent or relieve postpartum depression and anxiety. Even if you don’t have any of the above factors, however, you should still remain aware of your feelings. While a mild case of “the baby blues” is not unusual after childbirth, deep or unrelenting sadness, insomnia, fear, or anxiety that persists for more than a week or two is not normal and may indicate the presence of postpartum depression and anxiety.

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Learning about Postpartum Depression

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, postpartum depression affects about 13 percent of pregnant women and new mothers (www.womenshealth.gov). Postpartum depression statistics indicate that this ailment is fairly common among the population, and yet for many women who have never experienced it, the statistics don’t relieve postpartum depression. However, if you’re experiencing postpartum depression and/or anxiety, knowing you’re not “the only one who’s going through this” can help you get started on the road to recovery. It’s important to know that you have more than just “the blues,” and that you may need help in order to feel better.

“Why Can’t I Be Happy?”

Many women feel guilt over postpartum depression. Statistics aside, they just can’t imagine why they shouldn’t be joyful following the birth of the baby. However, many factors can trigger postpartum depression and its milder cousin, “the baby blues.” Hormonal changes, fatigue, worries over being a good mother, money worries, and other factors can increase chances of postpartum depression. Also, if you have a history of depression in your family, you are statistically at greater risk of postpartum depression. If you have persistent feelings of sadness, difficulty sleeping (even when the baby isn’t keeping you awake), restlessness, loss of appetite, moodiness or mood swings, disinterest in the baby, or loss of interest in things or activities that you formerly found enjoyable, you should talk to your doctor. If you have thoughts of hurting yourself or the baby, you should contact someone immediately.

Prevention and Help for Postpartum Depression

Especially if you have a family history of depression, you should advise your doctor as early as possible in your pregnancy. With close monitoring, mild depression can often be treated with support groups, counseling, or other therapies. This can help head off more serious symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe medication for your depression, or you may begin counseling (usually, “talk therapy”). Both of these methods, sometimes in combination, have been proven statistically effective with postpartum depression and its relief. If you are breastfeeding, the medicines for depression will enter the breast milk, but many medications for depression can be taken with very little fear of side effects for the baby. You should thoroughly discuss the benefits and risks of any drugs with your doctor.

There Is Hope

Statistics indicate that postpartum depression usually goes away within a few months with appropriate treatment. Remember, though, that it is important to continue your treatment even after you feel better, according to the Mayo Clinic (www.mayoclinic.com). Halting treatment too early can lead to a relapse.

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Postpartum Depression Support for New Mothers

If you are a part of a family where a new mother has just given birth to a child, you may be able to witness the joys brought about by motherhood. Sadly though, according to reports, about 30% of mothers today do not easily cope up with their new status of life as mothers to their children as immediately as needed. The result of this is usually postpartum depression blues. Again, if you are a member of that family, it pays to become a part of the postpartum depression support “team” that the new mother might likely need in this phase of her life.

What Postpartum Depression Support “Members” Need to Know?

A number of things besides hormonal changes may sometimes be a factor in postpartum depression. These include:

A woman’s personal ideas about motherhood, which may result from an unhappy childhood and poor parental relationships.
Unrealistic expectations imposed on mothers by society.
A family history of depression.
Marital dissatisfaction and a lack of support from one’s immediate or extended family.
Poor self-image.
Feeling overburdened or overwhelmed by caring for young children full-time.

This list is by no means comprehensive. Other factors may also contribute to postpartum depression. Indeed, its causes are still not completely understood.

Caring for the Personal Needs of the New Mother

As a willing individual to take the consideration of being a postpartum depression support to your loved one, you must know how the said new mother should be able to take good care of herself to oppose the effects of postpartum depression. The said matters could be considered as follows: [these are best suggestions that a postpartum depression support “member’ should remind the new mother as she deal with her emotions during this phase of her life

Talk to someone about your feelings, particularly other mothers.
Ask others to help you with child care, household chores, and errands. Ask your husband to share in nighttime feeding duties and household chores.
Find time to do something positive for yourself, even if it is for only 15 minutes a day. Try reading, taking a walk, taking a relaxing bath as part of your regular routine.
Even if you can get only one thing done in any given day, this is a step in the right direction. There may be days when you cannot get anything done. Try not to be angry with yourself when this happens.
Isolation often perpetuates depression. Get dressed, and leave the house for at least a short while each day. Fresh air and a change of scenery will do you and your baby a lot of good.

By suggesting these activities to the new mother, you are sure to become one of the most effectively helpful members of the postpartum depression support team for a new mother in the family. By doing so, you could much help in reducing the rise of postpartum depression statistics observed among women today.

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Postpartum Depression Help

Postpartum depression is a serious matter to consider. However, the question to as is, what can be done? If you are the one suffering from this emotional dilemma, do you just have to tough it out? It is comforting to know that postpartum depression has been found to be both temporary and treatable. While rest and family support may be all that is needed for mild symptoms, the key sign that medical attention is necessary is if the depression disrupts your ability to function, says the Office on Women’s Health.

Common treatments are antidepressant medication, talking with a mental-health expert, hormone treatment, or a combination of these, depending upon the severity of the case. Kangaroo, or skin-to-skin, care of the baby may also lessen maternal depression. There are also such alternative treatments as herbs, acupuncture, and homeopathic remedies. However, there are some things that you can do personally to cope. These include eating a nutritious diet (including fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain cereals); avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and sugar; exercising in moderation; and taking a nap when your baby is asleep.

Effective Source of Postpartum Depression Help.

Since a major factor in postpartum depression is lack of proper rest, other people can help by assuming some of the household chores and sharing in childcare. Studies show that far less postpartum depression occurs where the extended family rallies around to provide support and instruction. Many times a person can be of great assistance by just being a sympathetic listener, giving the new mother reassurance, and avoiding criticizing or judging. Remember, PPD is a physical disorder and is not self-induced. As the organization Postpartum Education for Parents points out, a woman cannot ‘pull herself together’ any more than she could if she had the flu, diabetes, or heart disease.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that although the postpartum period can be a wonderful time for new mothers, it can also be stressful. Understanding it can help us to give the support new mothers need. Yes, along with the many treatments suggested today, the most important factor in any postpartum depression help procedures is the existence of family support. Undoubtedly, the family members, being a part of the postpartum depression help approach used on a mother is certainly one matter of importance.

As sources of genuine love and affection, the family members could be considered as the most important element in applying any kind of postpartum depression help procedure offered by professionals today. Yes, from the family comes the best postpartum depression support that any new mother needs to receive.

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Postpartum Depression Treatment

Until recently, postpartum depression was often not taken seriously. Doctors point out that women’s mental health issues have been overlooked and labeled in the past as hysteria, not worthy of concern. The American Psychiatric Association’s diagnostic manual (DSM IV) has never fully acknowledged the presence of postpartum illness, and as a result, doctors have not been educated about it nor has reliable data been obtained. And unlike 30 years ago, mothers often go home from the hospital within 24 hours. Most postpartum psychoses, blues and some depression occur within three to 14 days following birth. So the mothers are already at home and not screened by professionals who know the symptoms.

Why Consider Postpartum Depression Treatments?

According to medical experts, if left undiagnosed or untreated, postpartum depression can lead to long-term depression and difficulty in bonding with the baby. Depressed mothers may passively ignore their baby’s needs or, conversely, lose control and use physical punishment to discipline their infants. This can negatively affect the cognitive and emotional development of the child. It has been rather suggested through studies that young children of depressed mothers perform more poorly on cognitive tests than those of mothers who were not depressed. Additionally, postpartum depression can adversely affect the other children and the husband.

Yes, unlike what others think of postpartum depression, it is indeed a serious matter to consider. Undoubtedly, through the years, the existence of this particular ailment among postnatal moms has high rocketed towards increase annually since the end of the Second World War. Likely depression on this particular situation has not been well studied yet back then. With the developments of both medicine and technology as well as the studies on human behavior addressing this matter, the development of possible postpartum depression treatments have now been made available for those in need of help.

Who Are Involved in Applying Postpartum Depression Treatment?

Postpartum depression treatments naturally involve the therapist and the mother. However, for much better recovery, it is suggested that all the other family members join the process of giving a new mother the postpartum depression treatment that she needs to receive. It could be well dispensed that through this, the recovery of the patient being treated shall be much effective in a much lesser time. With this approach, it is believed by the experts that postpartum depression help procedures could be easily successful for those needing it, thus making a better mother out of each patient treated with the process.