postpartum depression symptoms (just click for source)

The "baby blues" is a normal feeling experienced by mothers who have just had the birth of their child. It's important that you talk to your health care provider or doctor to discuss your feelings.

In certain cases, the mother of a newborn may experience something more grave, postpartum psychosis. This can lead to hallucinations and lack of sleep, along with thoughts of harming the mother or baby. Hospitalization is sometimes required.

1. Feelings of despair or a sense of insanity

If you are experiencing extreme feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness this is an indication that you should to visit an expert in mental health right away. You should also tell your doctor if you are thinking about suicide or have thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby. These are serious signs that should not be ignored. These symptoms can also be a sign of more severe postpartum depression disorders, including postpartum schizophrenia.

Antidepressant medications are the most common treatment for PPD. This helps to regulate the chemicals in your brain that affect your mood. Your doctor will decide on the best medication for you based upon your symptoms and if you are breastfeeding. Talk therapy is also a common treatment. Your doctor might recommend a specific model of therapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy or interpersonal therapy. Some support groups also aid women suffering from PPD.

Other treatments include sleeping and avoiding visits from unnecessary people. Sleeping when your baby is asleep can aid in getting enough sleep. Exercise can also boost your mood. It can also be helpful to build a network of family and friends who can help you with housework and childcare.

It's important to remember that being depressed does not mean you're a bad mother or that you don't love your baby. It's a normal medical condition that requires treatment. And getting treatment can make you feel better and give you the energy to take care of your baby. Untreated depression can also impact the relationship between a mother and her child and can lead to serious health problems for both the mom and baby. Women of color have a higher risk of postpartum depression compared with white women. This could be due to the fact that they are less likely to seek help and get diagnosed.

2. Feelings of anger or anger

Rage or anger are not considered to be symptoms of postpartum depression in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), however, they are a common occurrence during PPD. Anger can be caused by many things including rapid changes in hormones, sleep loss and worries about becoming a new mother. If you're experiencing these emotions, it's best to speak with your physician. The doctor might conduct a depression test during your postpartum follow-up.

You can also seek help from a therapist, or a support group. It's important to let others know how you're feeling, so they can offer support. Offer assistance with cooking, cleaning, babysitting and running errands. If someone offers to look after the baby while you sleep you can take advantage of it. Try to spend time with people who can understand how you're feeling, like family members and friends or other moms in the mothers' group.

If you're having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, that's an emergency and you must call 911 or your healthcare professional right immediately. This is a sign of postpartum psychiasis which is a rare but serious medical condition that is often associated with PPD.

If you know a friend or family member who is suffering from these feelings, help them to seek medical assistance. You can accompany them to their appointment to offer support. You can suggest they speak to their doctor, or join an therapist support group. You could also offer other services to help, like offer to take care of the baby or run around, or join in on outings and playdates with the children. You can also do activities that you enjoy and take a healthy diet and get plenty of sleep.

3. Feelings of guilt or a sense of inadequacy

After childbirth Many new mothers feel anxiety, sadness or fatigue. They might also feel depressed or lonely. These feelings are commonly referred to as the baby blues. They may last for a few weeks or days after delivery. If these symptoms persist for longer than two weeks and are worsening or if they hinder your ability to take care of the baby or yourself or if you have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, then you could be suffering from postpartum depression. When you visit your postpartum doctor, your doctor will assess your condition and recommend you to a mental health specialist if required. Contact 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline if you think of hurting your baby or taking the plunge.

Remember that PPD is not your fault, regardless of the reason. Perinatal depression is caused by a variety of factors such as hormonal changes, lack of sleep and emotional warning signs of depression or familial issues. There is also a higher risk if you had depression or anxiety during pregnancy or in the past and have an ancestral history of depression.

Some women are more susceptible to postpartum depression. This is particularly the case if they experience more severe symptoms, such as feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness or thoughts of harming themselves or their baby. These are indicators of a more serious condition known as postpartum psychosis. It can be very harmful for both the baby and you. This is a psychiatric emergency that must be treated at a hospital. Contact 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. It is important to have a system of support in place. Look for Postpartum Depression Symptoms family and friends who are willing to help with housework, childcare and other errands.

4. Feelings of despair or a sense of insanity

If women's feelings of sadness, worthlessness or hopelessness continue to persist for more than two weeks, they could be indicative of something more severe than the baby blues. Postpartum psychosis is a severe condition that can cause these feelings. This is an extremely serious mental illness that can trigger hallucinations, delusions and paranoia. Women suffering from these symptoms should seek medical attention, whether by calling an emergency hotline, visiting their doctor, or going to the emergency room.

People with PPD often feel guilt or shame about the way they are feeling. They might feel that their feelings reflect on their children or they're not good mothers. But, there is nothing they have done or not done to cause their depression. It is caused by a combination of hormones and environmental factors that are out types of depression their control.

PPD can be treated and usually disappear with the right treatment. This could include psychotherapy or talk therapy with a psychologist, psychiatrist or a mental health counselorand sometimes, medication. Some antidepressants are safe to take while breastfeeding. Women should also seek as much support and rest as they can throughout this time. This might include seeking help with chores, a partner or family members or joining a mothers' support group. They should also eat well exercise, get enough sleep, and see their health care provider regularly for checkups.

5. Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness

If a woman is having feelings of despair or feeling worthless, it's important to talk to her doctor right away. These are serious signs that could indicate postpartum depression and should never be overlooked. These feelings are more severe than the blues of a newborn, and can prevent a new mother taking care of her her child. If they're not treated and untreated, depression can get worse and become a major depressive disorder. It can also affect the bond between the mother and her child as well as the relationship within the family.

It's unclear what causes postpartum depression, but genetics and some medical problems can increase a new mother's chances of getting it. Other risk factors include stress during the pregnancy, medical problems both during as well as after birth and the absence of support from family and friends. A woman's risk is increased when she has a past history with depression.

Most women with postpartum teenage depression symptoms recover by taking medication and therapy. Medicine can help balance the brain's chemicals that affect mood. Your doctor may suggest psychotherapy, including cognitive behavior therapy, interpersonal therapy or mother's support groups. The therapist can help the new mother comprehend her feelings, and how to deal with them. Treatments for depression might also be recommended, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline (Zoloft(r)) or the fluoxetine (Prozac(r)) and paroxetine (Paxil(r)). Brexanolone, also known as Zulresso(r) is a newer medication that is administered intravenously over two and a half days in the hospital. It is effective immediately. It is safe to take during breastfeeding.

It's normal for mothers to feel depressed or sad after the birth of her child. If these feelings persist or get worse it is important to talk to an expert. It's crucial to see an obstetrician when a mother is thinking of harming her child or herself, which are signs of depression that is more severe, referred to as postpartum psychosis. It's a rare condition.