About Postpartum Depression

Though having a baby is a happy and wonderful time for any women, sometimes they might feel sad, afraid, angry or anxious after giving birth to a child. Almost 80% of new mothers have mild form of these feelings which is called postpartum blues (also called as baby blues).  Common symptoms of baby blues include irritability, anxiety, rapid mood fluctuations, tearfulness, troubled sleeping, troubled eating, difficulty in making choices and fear of not being able to handle the baby and care for it. They then start feeling they are bad mothers as they are not supposed to have such feelings

These symptoms are seen at their peak on the 4^th or 5^th day after the delivery of the baby. Tisy should last for less than 2 weeks. The symptoms do not effect the mother’s caring for the child. Baby blues is a self resolving condition and needs no treatment.

On the other hand if these symptoms are more severe and last longer than 2 weeks then it is called Post Partum Depression (PPD). About 10% of the new mothers face this kind of problem. It does not happen only with the first delivery but can happen after any number of children. PPD effects the mother’s caring for the child and interferes with the mother-child relationship.

What is post partum depression (PPD)? PPD is also known as post natal depression. It is a form of clinical depression affecting mostly women and has been known to also affect a few men. PPD happens in women when they have carring a child, normally in the starting few months. Sadness, fatigue, sleeplessness, appetite alteration, decreased libido, crying, anxiety, anger, impaired speech and impaired writing, social withdrawal, emptiness, exhaustion, guilt, low self esteem, hopelessness and irritability are some of the likely PDD symptoms that may affect the mother’s ability to take care of the child.

Marked hormonal changes in mothers after the delivery could be a cause of PPD. Some experts claim it is caused by vitamin deficiency. Various other risk factors for PPD include formula feeding replacing breast feeding, previous history of depression, cigarette smoking, general low self esteem, stress about childcare, stressed life style, having low social support, disturbed marital relationship, illegal child, infant temperaments, infant persistent problems, single parent, belonging to lesser income groups, unplanned pregnancy, unwanted pregnancy etc. sometimes the baby is not as the mother expected, the mother feels she isn’t up to the mark in nursing which also result in PPD.

Women without these risk factors are also found to have PPD. If the mother suffering from PPD is left untreated the condition could become worse and also may last longer. In extreme cases the mother might also harm the child.

PostPartum Depression always requires immediate attention. Treatment includes proper nourishment, counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, support groups, home visitors, adequate sleep and family support. If necessary, medication is to be given. Anti-depressants are prescribed by few doctors. If the treatment is started at an early stage better prognosis can be expected. Sometimes hospitalization as in-patient might be necessary for severe cases. For those mothers with severe PPD especially associated with active suicidal intention a fast, safe and effective method is Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT).