How to Deal with Post-partum Depression
Pregnancy and childbirth is a very emotional time for women. Especially after birth, women experience a whole range of emotions: happiness, awe, celebration and even a little dread and fear at giving birth and being responsible for the gift of a new life. One of the significant emotions that women face during this period is depression.
“Baby blues” and PPD
Though you hear about post-partum depression, or PPD, being thrown around because of certain celebrities in Hollywood confessing of experiencing it, not all cases of depression can be immediately considered as PPD. The fact is, it is normal for women to feel depressed two weeks after birth. As pregnancy brought about many changes to a woman’s body, coupled with the stress of childbirth and taking care of an infant, it’s natural for it to all pile up and cause a feeling of weariness and sullenness. After two weeks and if the condition is the same, that’s the only time that you can suspect that it’s PPD. And even if it’s PPD, it’s not something that you should be afraid of; it is a condition that can be addressed and overcome with the proper support and treatment.
The Symptoms
As mentioned earlier, symptoms are as follows: one feels enervated, joined by loss of enthusiasm for activities or things well-liked in the past, insomnia, mood swings, confused emotions and a general feeling of powerlessness. Cases and symptoms might have variations, but the general indication is a feeling of sadness and lack of vitality. In extreme cases, there is even the tendency to injure one’s self or the infant.
Dealing with PPD
PPD is manageable through proper support, discipline and mindset. One should talk the condition over with one’s partner and discuss it. Another way to address PPD is to keep active and being positive. Doing physical exercises, engaging in new activities helps keep the mind and body occupied instead of sulking under the depression. One can also seek professional psychiatric help for other approaches to address the condition. There are also medications that can help ease the condition through the prescription of anti-depressants.
Depression after birth, whether just “baby blues” or PPD, is considered normal. Though it can be frightening and confusing, one should remember that the condition can be addressed and that things can return to normal. Though it can be challenging to manage, one should not forget to keep positive about getting through the condition.
Photo Credit : nyki_m
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1. Good that the line between PPD and baby-blues are set. Many are indeed confusing them. The media-hype into this has led many to think that PPD is equal to the mildest depression that a woman goes through after giving birth. To say that everyone goes through PPD is a fallacy. Although; yes, every woman may get depressed after this eventful moment in her life.
2. True that it is normal but no one should dismiss this array of emotions underwent by women. It is not easy. She now has a life dependent on her. She has her life to lead, a partner to attend to, and a home to care. For a vast majority of women, they have household chores and sometimes other children to manage too. It is truly overwhelming. As she wants to celebrate the new life on her hands, she is haunted by the responsibility that goes with it. People should remember that women who have given birth needs all the support of her significant others, especially emotionally.
3. It can be addressed with the following: Support. This is inevitable and truly a life-saver. In the midst of depression, women need understanding and compassion. It will be great if the people around her can show her some empathy. Discipline. This is an action which should come mainly from the woman. She should be able to moderate herself and the various roles she play in her life. Positive mindset. The ability to constantly talk your mind to and keep it pleasant is a gift. As women cannot expect all positivity from around her, she owes it to herself to be the main source.
4. In extreme cases of depression, professional help should be sought.