She Strengthens

The Unspoken Struggle of New Motherhood: Understanding Postpartum Depression

The Joy and the Blues

Having a baby is a life-changing experience, filled with emotions, physical changes, and adjustments. While many new mothers experience the “baby blues,” a mild and common reaction to childbirth, others may struggle with something more severe: postpartum depression (PPD). PPD affects up to 15% of new mothers, causing long-term feelings of sadness, anxiety, worry, and extreme tiredness that can make caring for themselves and their baby difficult.

What Causes Postpartum Depression?

Researchers believe that PPD may be triggered by genetic factors, hormonal shifts after childbirth, and low thyroid hormone levels. Additionally, personal or family history of depression, physical or sexual abuse, stress, diabetes, pregnancy complications, smoking, drinking, or using drugs, breastfeeding difficulties, and newborn health complications can increase the risk of PPD.

Recognizing the Signs of Postpartum Depression

If you’ve experienced five or more of the following symptoms for longer than two weeks, you may be diagnosed with PPD:

• Severe mood swings
• Feeling depressed most of the day, every day
• Shame or guilt
• Panic or fear
• Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Fatigue
• Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Struggling to bond with your baby
• Thoughts of hurting yourself or the baby

The Difference Between Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression

While the baby blues typically last up to two weeks, PPD symptoms persist longer than two weeks and require medical treatment. Baby blues are a mild reaction to adjusting to a big life change, hormone fluctuations, and lack of sleep, whereas PPD is a more severe condition that affects daily life.

Postpartum Psychosis: A Rare but Serious Condition

Postpartum psychosis is a rare but serious mental health condition that can lead to violence or dangerous behavior. If you experience hallucinations, feelings of confusion, hopelessness, or restlessness, paranoia, trouble sleeping, rapid mood swings, or thoughts of hurting yourself, your baby, or others, seek immediate medical attention.

Dads Can Experience Postpartum Depression Too

Nongestating parents can also experience depression during their partner’s pregnancy or in the first year postpartum. Symptoms may include anger, frustration, irritability, and impulsivity. Factors that increase the risk of depression in dads include inability to bond with the baby, financial and work stress, low testosterone, lack of social support, and jealousy over the mother-child bond.

Seeking Help: It’s Not a Sign of Weakness

PPD isn’t something you can simply “tough out.” Needing treatment is no indication of your strength or motherly abilities. If you’ve experienced PPD symptoms for two weeks or more, seek help from your doctor, primary care provider, or your baby’s doctor. With the right treatment, including counseling, support groups, medication, and home recovery tips, you can overcome PPD and enjoy your growing family.

Preventing Postpartum Depression

While preventing PPD isn’t simple, knowing your risk factors and practicing healthy self-care habits throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period can be helpful. If you’re at risk or have experienced depressive episodes before, talk to your doctor or therapist about strategies for preventing PPD.

The Takeaway

Having a baby can be hard on your body, mind, and family. Postpartum depression affects many new parents, and it’s not a personal failure. If you’re dealing with PPD, you’ll need professional treatment to feel better and enjoy your growing family. Reach out to supportive family members, a doctor, or support groups as you recover.