POSTNATAL DEPRESSION
The birth of a baby may trigger a twist of emotions that may seem unbelievable to the mother herself. There are moments of joy and excitement, laughing and cheering, at the same time depression may also find a way to creep into these moments.
Postnatal depression is a common condition that affects one in eight new moms. It affects up to 15% of women after giving birth and up to 9% of women during pregnancy, and it can also occur in women after a miscarriage. This condition may make day to day activities difficult for a mother and may have an effect on the child. The symptoms are quite similar to normal depression and may make it difficult for a mother to care for her child if she doesn't get a grip on herself.
Sometimes, there could be a reason for PND but not always. You may not be happy or feel guilty about feeling depressed, but it's not your fault. It isn't a weakness; it may merely be a complication of giving birth. Most times, it starts within one or two months of giving birth, or it could be after several months of giving birth.
Postpartum depression symptoms include ;
Depression: this is often a feeling of numbness, or you sometimes feel low and unhappy. Some women often lose interest in every pleasure of life, themselves and even the baby. There's this worse feeling that comes at morning time or evening.
You feel irritable: postnatal depression may cause the slightest thing that you should overlook to irritate you. You may easily get irritated and resentful with your partner or baby, or get angry over trivial things.
Sleepless: your sleep pattern may become altered as a result of this condition. Even when you are tired, you find it hard to fall asleep. You may stay awake worrying about unnecessary things. You may wake up before anyone else in the house without even sleeping for a bit.
Loss of interest in Sex: postnatal depression may cause you to lose interest in sex and not even want to give it a try at all after giving birth. It takes away any desire and enthusiasm.
Cry spell: you may cry at any slight provocation or to any sensitive comment at all. You feel like shedding those tears.
Psychotic Symptoms: this is a rare, severe depression symptom. In this case, they may hear unusual voices and have odd beliefs and may even try to harm the baby. They may show the following behaviors; confusion, hallucinations and delusions, obsessive thoughts about the baby, disorientation, paranoia, excessive energy and agitation. This condition needs urgent treatment.
Treating Prenatal Depression
Prenatal depression may affect the mother and the well-being of the newborn. It is essential to take steps whenever it is discovered. PND can be treated through counseling, psychotherapy, group treatment, support strategies, medications such as antidepressants.
Support from family and friends is also essential in treating prenatal depression. Friends are family should support by keeping close to the mother. And more importantly, the partner should always show love and care to avoid a distant or detached feeling.
esome posts on your feed and stay updated with the crypto market.