Postpartum depression symptoms
What Is Postpartum Depression?
As a new mom, you face a lot of challenges getting used to life with a newborn. You’re also probably dealing with lack of sleep, new responsibilities about the newborn.
PPD can present itself in many different ways. Not all moms experience every symptom associated with the disorder, and a mother who was diagnosed with PPD after a previous birth may experience completely different symptoms after a subsequent birth – or no symptoms at all. These are some of the symptoms moms with PPD may experience.
It’s the type of depression you may get after you have a baby. It can start anytime during your baby’s first year, but it’s most common for you to start to feel its effects during the first 3 weeks after birth.
If you have it, you might feel sad, hopeless, and guilty because you may not feel like you want to bond with, or care for, your baby. (WebMD, 2017).
Irritation, Anger, or Rage
When a baby cries, women with PPD often feel more irritated than moms without PPD. They can get angry at the baby when it's time to change another diaper or feel unadulterated rage when the baby won't go to sleep. Anger can extend outward to a woman’s partner, friends, family, and even strangers.
Overwhelm
Women with PPD often feel overwhelmed by motherhood and the arduous task of parenting. Instead of recognizing this as a time of change and transition, they may view it as a personal failure. They can feel like an unfit mother because they struggle to stay on top of cooking, cleaning, and new parenting duties.
Lack of Connection
Women with PPD often feel withdrawn or like they are not bonding with their baby. They don't feel like doing things with other people and may cancel plans or avoid phone calls or texts. PPD sufferers may feel nothing at all or a total apathy about absolutely everything.
Sadness
Sadness is a more recognizable sign of depression, but this type feels bone deep. It feels like it may never end, and women with PPD fear they will never feel happy again.
Sleep Problems
The old adage "Sleep when the baby sleeps" isn’t always feasible for women with PPD. They struggle to sleep at night or nap during the day. Or, on the flip side, all they want to do is sleep, but it feels like no amount of sleep will help get them caught up.
Lack of Concentration
Women with PPD have difficulty focusing on tasks at work or at home. Completing a simple to-do list can feel insurmountable.
Anxiety
PPD and anxiety often go hand-in-hand. PPD sufferers may find themselves afraid to walk down stairs with their baby or may contrive worst-case outcomes for every scenario. They may feel paralyzed by fear. (Hatfield, 2016)
How can family and friend help?
Family members and friends may be the first to recognize symptoms of postpartum depression in a new mother. They can encourage her to talk with a health care provider, offer emotional support, and assist with daily tasks such as caring for the baby or the home.
For more information on conditions that affect mental health, resources, and research, go toMentalHealth.gov at http://www.mentalhealth.gov , or the NIMH website at http://www.nimh.nih.gov. In addition, the National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus service has information on a wide variety of health topics, including conditions that affect mental health.
How can family and friend help?
Family members and friends may be the first to recognize symptoms of postpartum depression in a new mother. They can encourage her to talk with a health care provider, offer emotional support, and assist with daily tasks such as caring for the baby or the home.
If you or someone you know is in crisis or thinking of suicide, get help quickly.
- Call your doctor.
- Call 911 for emergency services or go to the nearest emergency room.
For more information on conditions that affect mental health, resources, and research, go toMentalHealth.gov at http://www.mentalhealth.gov , or the NIMH website at http://www.nimh.nih.gov. In addition, the National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus service has information on a wide variety of health topics, including conditions that affect mental health.
1. Hatfield,J. (2016) Signs and Symptoms of Postpartum Depression. [Online]. Available from: https://www.fix.com/blog/post-partum-depression-and-you/ [Accessed 15 March 2017].
2. WebMD (2017) Postpartum Depression: What You Should Know. [Online]. Available from:http://www.webmd.com/depression/postpartum-depression/understanding-postpartum-depression-basics#1 [Accessed 17 March 2017].
3. National Institutes Of Health. Postpartum Depression Facts. [Online]. Available from : https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/postpartum-depression-facts/index.shtml#pub10 [Accessed 20 March 2017].
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