Baby Blues or Postpartum Depression?
Women are most vulnerable to depression and anxiety during pregnancy and the postpartum period. If depression or anxiety is going to surface, it typically happens at this time.
How can you tell if what you’re experiencing is normal or if you have postpartum depression (PPD)? There are two main ways to differentiate the Baby Blues from PPD.
First, the Blues are considered to be normal. They don’t feel good, but they are mild and transient. Most moms – 50 to 80 percent -- experience some ups and downs, weepiness, vulnerability, forgetfulness, and stress when their babies are born. The Blues should be gone by about two weeks after delivery. If they continue, even if the symptoms are mild, this is now called PPD. Often I’m called by women months after they deliver, asking when their Blues should go away. They have unknowingly been suffering from PPD and could have received relief months earlier. Request professional help if the Blues are stubborn, since the faster you get help, the sooner you’ll be enjoying your life. You may also avoid allowing PPD to get a foothold.
PPD is a specialty, so make sure you get in touch with a therapist who specializes in the field. She should be able to give you an individual, practical plan of wellness including sleep, nutrition, and emotional and physical support so you can feel like yourself again. There are natural treatments that are often quite effective, so medication may or may not be required. It depends on the individual woman and what she specifically needs.
Second, if the symptoms are severe enough to get in the way of normal functioning, even if they occur during the first two weeks postpartum, it is considered to be PPD. So, if you’re experiencing symptoms such as a loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping at night when the baby sleeps, hopelessness, poor concentration, anxiety, anger, deep sadness, low self esteem, overwhelm, or lack of energy (that rest doesn’t take care of), don’t wait. Get help right away.
PPD is one of six postpartum mood disorders and is the most common, affecting about 15 percent of mothers (around 1 in 7) around the world.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
Add a CommentComments
There are no comments yet. Be the first one and get the conversation started!