Navigating Postpartum Depression

Having a baby can make a huge difference in a woman’s life, from joy and excitement to fear and anxiety.  Such changes are enough to stress out even the most prepared of us. Plus, with sleep difficulty and challenging hormonal changes,  many new moms can find themselves unmotivated at times. It’s completely normal and prevalent. This phenomenon has its name: the baby blues.

The Baby Blues

New mums experience at least some symptoms of depression following the birth of their child. Some of the experiences may include:

• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Unprovoked crying
• Irritability and mood swings
• A feeling of worthlessness
• Hopelessness
• Loss of appetite

If the baby blues are going to hit you, the symptoms usually begin within the first two or three days after giving birth and can last for up to two weeks. The exact causes of baby blues are not well known, but it is thought to be caused by a mixture of extreme hormone fluctuations that come with giving birth, coupled with stress and lack of sleep.

Baby blues are seen as usual and not of concern. You can usually reduce the symptoms by eating healthy meals, exercising, and a few hours of quality relaxation.  Doing these should clear up the symptoms in a couple of weeks.

Postpartum Depression: when the baby blues are unmanageable or last too long

It can be challenging to know the difference between the usual ups and downs of postpartum life from postpartum depression, at least at first. The most significant sign that your baby blues are indeed depression is the span of their stay. If they’re more intense and stay longer than two weeks and persisting, then the condition is no longer normal. The other big red flag that your baby blues are something more serious is if they are severe. If you feel you can’t cope or unable to take care of your baby or yourself because of the symptoms,  then what you are going through could be something more serious than just baby blues.

Symptoms of Postpartum Depression

The symptoms of postpartum depression are much the same as the baby blues, but there are some unique identifiers between them.

• Mood swings: Just like in the case of baby blues, somebody suffering from postpartum depression will usually experience mood swings. However, unlike the baby blues, where mood swings are easily manageable and disappear within a few weeks, the mood shifts associated with postpartum depression are much more severe. They can include crippling anxiety or full-on panic attacks that may make you isolate from friends and family.
• Hallucinations: In some instances, postpartum depression can induce hallucinations. Hallucinations of some degree are not sane and should be quickly reported to a health practitioner.
• Suicidal thoughts or actions: Suicidal thoughts result from untreated postpartum depression and a sign that you need to visit your doctor as soon as possible. Thoughts of hurting yourself are not normal.

A person suffering from postpartum depression usually has a constant fear of inadequacy in taking care of their baby, tangling itself with all the other symptoms. While it’s normal to worry about your baby and be a little doubtful of yourself, it is a cause of concern if you can’t seem to see anything positive between you and your baby and how effective you are in taking care of them.

Postpartum depression may develop within the first few weeks after delivery; it could sneak later up to a year after giving birth. So,  don’t be afraid to seek help just because it’s been “too long” for your symptoms to be postpartum depression.

Treating Postpartum Depression

The biggest mistake people make is waiting too long before they visit a doctor or a psychologist. Call your doctor and schedule an appointment as soon as possible if you experience any symptoms of baby blues or postpartum depression.  Follow these guidelines to get the best help possible from your doctor.

• Read up on postpartum depression: Do research before your appointment to know the exact type of questions to ask your doctor. This will help speed up your treatment.
• Choose your physician wisely: There is no “postpartum depression” psychologist. Shop around for the best doctor that you think can make the best fit before booking an appointment.  Always know that you can get another doctor if you feel your needs are not properly met. Always remember your feelings are real.
• Consider bringing someone with you: People have different preferences; some prefer seeing their doctors alone, while others are more comfortable with a company. If you think it will help you speak up or calm, consider coming with your partner, a family member or even a friend to your appointment. If your doctor tries to tell you you must speak alone, see a different doctor immediately.
• Be candid: Above all else, be honest. You’ll be harming yourself by telling lies.  Your doctor can’t be able to fully help you if you don’t share everything in honesty. It can be hard to do, but always remember you’re the best parent your baby can ever have. In fact, seeking help for postpartum depression is the mark of an excellent parent. And contrary to the popular myth, women with postpartum depression are not at risk of deliberately harming their children (that is, a risk of postpartum psychosis, a much rarer pregnancy complication).

By:  Dr. Syras Derksen
Registered Psychologis