“Post Partum Depression is a reality and scientifically proven”.
Yes, you read it right. It is not a made up condition but a reality. And being a society it’s high time to educate ourselves and our families about this issue.
Dr. Ambreen Naz
MBBS, MCPS (Paeds)
Consultant Paediatrician enlightened us about Post Partum Depression in detail. Let’s get to know what it is?
POST PARTUM DEPRESSION:
Post Partum Depression is basically an illness which can get worsen to the extent that it may turn out in chronic disease called Psychosis (also called a ‘psychotic experience’ or ‘psychotic episode’).
It is a condition which may happen with any new mother after delivery. And it is a serious concern. A prompt action should be taken when diagnosed.
Most of the times it is assumed as “Baby Blues” as well. But you will be surprised to know that both are entirely different conditions. Let’s educate ourselves with the difference among both.
Baby blues is condition that normally 70% of women go through after delivery. It’s symptoms are not as much severe as PPD. Baby blues symptoms usually appears after 24 hours of giving birth and lasts up to 2 weeks. In this condition, mothers mostly feel sadness, loneliness, sleep deprived, tired or exhausted. These are all normal conditions if they last till 2 weeks and eventually settled down to normal.
BUT if this will prolong even after a month of delivery, this needs to be addressed at earliest. Because these are the symptoms that leads to Post Partum Depression.
How can we identify if it is PPD? For that, we need to know about it’s symptoms first.
Symptoms of Post Partum Depression:
Sleep deprivation.
Excess Sleep.
Lack of interest in everything.
Blaming others or self blaming on every issue.
Negative thoughts (even about baby).
Start hallucinating.
Suicidal thoughts.
All above symptoms may be observed together or few in a mother. It varies from person to person. Now most of us must want to know why does it happen? What are the causes that 70% of mothers around the world face this issue?
Well, there are certain biological and psychological explanations to that question. Let’s start with the biological ones.
CAUSES OF POST PARTUM DEPRESSION:
*Biological Reasons:
Right after giving birth, estrogen and progesterone levels drop dramatically, which can contribute to the “baby blues” (mood swings, anxiety, sadness or irritability, which resolve within a week or two of birth) or postpartum depression (similar symptoms that are more intense, last longer and interfere with your daily life).
Meanwhile, oxytocin, which is called the “bonding hormone,” floods your system right after delivery. “It turns on mothering behaviour, and one aspect of that behaviour is being able to see danger in your child’s world. So when oxytocin goes up, so can anxiety.” And this triggers PPD among new mothers.
Phycological Reasons:
If we talk about biological Reasons, we can not let go phycological reasons for PPD. Because these all causes combine to affect mental stability of a woman. And these are:
Environment.
Irregular sleep patterns.
Work overload.
Behavior of associated people.
High expectations (from spouse and family).
Over consciousness about physical appearance.
Validation as a good mother (it can be self judgement or judgement from the society). and many others.
So you see, there are numerous causes that affects a woman’s mental health. Therefore, it needs to be addressed and treated at the right time.
TREATMENTS OF PPD:
First and foremost thing is to identify this issue. And once identified, don’t neglect it. It’s severeness can even leads to suicidal attempts, non acceptance of baby, conflicts among spousal relationship, and so on.
It should be treated with out any delay. This treatment would be consulted not only by psychologist but with physiologist as well.
Actual treatment may vary from condition to condition and from person to person.
We all should accept the fact that mothers are the ones who brought up a generation to create a society. They need most affection and appreciation. So, if you ever witness a mother facing PPD symptoms, be a support to them. If a new mother comes to you to cry her heart out, be a shoulder to cry upon and admit the fact that she needs help. If some of us hadn’t face these situations after our delivery, doesn’t disapprove it’s existence. Don’t judge and try to fit in her shoes.
If it takes 9 months to deliver a baby, there should be a 9 months tolerance from the society for her to heal and recover. Spread the awareness about PPD at all levels and accept it because IT’S A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH.
Post Partum Depression needs support.
by Anila Razzaq