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Home / Is Baby Blues the Same as Postpartum Depression

Is Baby Blues the Same as Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression used to exist a taboo topic. No 1 talked nearly information technology and no one dared to admit they were going through it. Fast-frontwards to 2017—postpartum depression is now a hot topic. Celebrities like Chrissy Teigen and Brooke Shields have opened up near their struggles, which has helped women realize that postpartum low is not something to be ashamed of. But what'south the difference betwixt postpartum depression and a typical case of the baby blues? There'south a lot of misinformation out at that place. That's why it's so important to first blast down what postpartum depression is and what it isn't.

What Is Postpartum Low?

First things first, postpartum depression is the depression a mother suffers after the birth of her child. Postpartum low can too exist experienced after a miscarriage.

Postpartum Low vs. Baby Blues

While you may take heard women say they have the babe blues, that doesn't mean they have postpartum depression. Here'southward the deal: The baby blues can last a few days to a few weeks subsequently delivery. Your hormones are going up and down like an lift, and so you may be more emotional, unable to focus or may even have trouble getting to sleep no matter how drawn you experience. Sounds hard to believe, but it's true. Postpartum depression normally lasts far longer, can require seeing a physician and peradventure even taking medication.

What Causes Postpartum Depression?

If you have postpartum depression, you may ask yourself "why me?" In that location are no easy answers. "Women need to be able to talk about postpartum low like they do all other pregnancy complications," says Samantha Meltzer-Brody, MD, and Director of the Perinatal Psychiatry Program at UNC Eye for Women'due south Mood Disorders. "Whereas a adult female is very comfortable saying that she failed her glucose test and has gestational diabetes, people are reluctant to admit PPD because it looks similar a character flaw or like they are declining as mothers," says Meltzer-Brody. The big point here is that postpartum depression is nothing to be embarrassed almost. In fact, if you start talking near it, y'all'll soon realize the large number of women who have it or have experienced information technology, and you'll also get-go to uncover what causes postpartum low.

  • Hormone Changes. After you give nativity, your estrogen and progesterone levels plunge. This can go out you feeling depressed and sluggish.
  • Thyroid Changes. Some women experience a dip in thyroid hormones. This tin can easily make you lot experience depressed and tired.
  • Being Overwhelmed & Sleep Deprived. Taking care of a newborn can be exhausting. Adding sleep deprivation into the mix can also lead to postpartum depression.

When Does Postpartum Depression Start?

Postpartum depression typically starts two to three weeks after giving birth. Merely it can come on someday during the first few days, weeks or even months after delivery.

How Long Can Postpartum Depression Concluding?

With proper diagnosis and handling, postpartum depression can final anywhere from viii to 12 weeks. "Early on detection and treatment will have a patient feeling meliorate and that will lead to excellent outcomes for the patient, the infant and the whole family unit," says Meltzer-Brody.

Postpartum Low Symptoms

Some women may think they're just having an "emotional" day, but they could actually exist experiencing the get-go of postpartum depression. Y'all don't need to experience all of these tell-tale postpartum low symptoms—fifty-fifty just one or two tin be signs to call your doc.

  • You Feel Empty. Despite just adding a newborn babe to your life, yous feel empty and alone.
  • Y'all Feel Overwhelmed. While all moms feel like they don't know what they're doing from fourth dimension to fourth dimension, you may feel completely overwhelmed, equally though you will never exist a good mom. Know this is totally not truthful.
  • You Experience No Bond. You feel similar all of that "mommy bliss" you lot heard anybody talking virtually when you were pregnant was a large fat lie. Y'all feel no connection to this new life you helped create.
  • You Are Constantly Irritated or Angry. Everything bothers you. You take no patience. You may fifty-fifty feel resentment toward baby because of how your life has changed.
  • You lot Are Uncontrollably Sad. You can't stop crying and you can't shake off feelings of sadness.
  • You lot Tin't Concentrate. Y'all experience out of focus and cannot concentrate on anything, especially non your baby.
  • You lot Have Thoughts of Harming Yourself or Baby. You lot experience as though yous may practise something harmful to yourself and babe. These feelings should never be ignored.

Postpartum Depression Treatment

Later on you've seen a doctor and take been diagnosed, getting postpartum depression aid is crucial. "Untreated postpartum depression leads to really adverse consequences on maternal bonding and zipper, and maternal sensitivity to answer to her baby," says Meltzer-Brody. You lot may need one or more of these postpartum low treatments.

  • Therapy. Your issues are normal and you may need to talk to other people to realize you're non alone in this. Support groups can aid. Postpartum depression counseling can also be done in the grade of cognitive behavioral therapy, which works to alter negative thoughts and behaviors.
  • Medication. Your doctor may decide to prescribe a mood stabilizer or other kind of drug.
  • Electroconvulsive Therapy. Before y'all get scared off, this is just used in the most severe cases, when all other options have been wearied. This entails having a small amount of electric current applied to your brain to reduce symptoms of depression.

How Common Is Postpartum Depression?

According to the American Psychological Clan, as many every bit one in seven women experience postpartum depression. If you or someone you know is suffering from postpartum depression, know you are non solitary and getting assist is key.

Review signs of postpartum depression here:

Image: The Bump

Risk Factors of Postpartum Depression

While there'south nothing similar a "perfect storm," there are several risk factors of postpartum depression that are worth looking at. You Have a History of Depression. If yous were depressed or bipolar before becoming pregnant, your take chances of developing postpartum depression is greater.

  • Family History. Equally with whatsoever other medical condition, a family history of postpartum depression puts you at higher risk.
  • High Stress. If you're constantly dealing with a colicky baby or accept fiscal stress, this can contribute to postpartum depression.
  • Y'all Take Weak Support and/or Problems With Your Partner. If y'all feel similar you're doing it all lone, this can lead to postpartum depression.
  • Your Infant Has Health Problems. Taking care of a sick infant or one with special needs brings its own challenges. This stress tin likewise pb to postpartum depression.

How to Avoid Postpartum Depression

While nosotros've told you postpartum low is zippo to be aback of, many women all the same wait for ways to avoid it, peculiarly if they are at a college risk.

  • Talk About Your Feelings. If you're looking at how to prevent postpartum depression, talking about your thoughts and what is bothering you can aid.
  • Join a New Mothers Group. Spending time with women who are going through the same things you are at the same time is comforting.
  • Relax. While it may seem incommunicable, taking just 15 minutes out of your day to relax and have serenity time can make a big departure.
  • Exercise. Studies have shown exercise tin can not only prevent postpartum depression, but can also be used as a way to treat it. It'southward a win-win all around.
  • Set Limits. You're not superwoman. No one expects you to be, and so yous shouldn't either. Prepare limits for yourself to avert becoming overwhelmed.

Postpartum Depression in Men

As men are helping women deal with postpartum low, they may also exist feeling downwardly. This leads to the big question, can men get postpartum depression also? The brusque reply is aye. Unlike women, postpartum depression in men is not linked to hormonal changes. Sleep deprivation and changes in the relationship dynamic with their partner can contribute. A 2017 written report establish that a man's postpartum depression centers on anger and isolation. Many of the symptoms of postpartum low for men are similar to a adult female's, merely tin can also include headaches, loss of libido and changes in appetite. As more men talk well-nigh postpartum low, treatment is evolving. There are a growing number of support groups men can lean on every bit well as private therapy sessions. In astringent cases, medication is sometimes used in treating postpartum depression in men.

Delight note: The Bump and the materials and information information technology contains are non intended to, and do not found, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should non be used equally such. Y'all should always consult with a qualified md or wellness professional person about your specific circumstances.

Is Baby Blues the Same as Postpartum Depression

Source: https://www.thebump.com/a/postpartum-depression