Postpartum Depression Symptoms

Postpartum depression symptoms vary widely depending on the woman, but they are different from the baby blues in terms of intensity and duration. Postpartum depression begins as baby blues, but it becomes worse than the mental state of women is deteriorating to the point where it can no longer care for her baby.

Symptoms of postpartum depression

• The intense irritability and anger
• Loss of appetite
• Sleep disorders
• Extreme fatigue
• Difficulty adjusting to motherhood
• Withdrawal from family
• Negative thoughts and thoughts of harming baby
• Severe mood swings.

If the baby blues do not disappear in two weeks, you should contact your doctor immediately. Many women show reluctance or feel embarrassed to admit they can not take care of themselves and the child. The truth is that they need for the whole family and therapeutic support they can get. The recovery is much faster if treatment is initiated in the early stages of postpartum depression.

Unless you treat the condition, it can develop into more serious illnesses such as postpartum psychosis, which involves hallucinations, paranoia and extreme attitudes towards life and the baby. The mother and child could be at risk in such cases.

The causes of postpartum depression

Symptoms of postpartum depression is due to emotional factors and physical lifestyle.
The physical changes are hormonal changes especially in the postpartum period. Levels of estrogen and progesterone drop sharply, causing more emotional conditions. The CBC may be reduced, changes in the immune system and causes your metabolism. All these can lead to a psychological reaction, as they contribute to fatigue and mood swings.
Emotional changes after birth to test the ability of women to care of the newborn. Women sometimes struggle to regain its sense of identity, and many new mothers complain that they seem to have lost control over their lives.
Challenges lifestyle also plays a role in the installation of postpartum depression. Lack of support or family members, older siblings, breastfeeding and economic problems may lead to the onset of symptoms of postpartum depression.
Women who suffer from bipolar disorder have more to develop postpartum depression, but genetic susceptibility is also of great importance here.

Other risks
A woman who was diagnosed with postpartum depression had a higher risk of developing major depression in the future. Sometimes, postpartum depression can last for over a year, if not treated properly.
There is also a very serious psychological impact on the child. Scientific studies have shown that children whose mothers suffer from postpartum depression are more likely to develop eating disorders of sleep and temper tantrums, hyperactivity and temperament.
The family has a responsibility to help a woman who is depressed after the birth. Professional medical treatment may be necessary so that treatment and a therapeutic approach included. Otherwise, the consequences for both mother and child will be dramatic. Therefore, it is the best idea not to allow post-partum depression symptoms become severe.