PPD: Beyond Baby Blues
Pregnancy and post-pregnancy is a time of particular vulnerability in a woman’s life with the possible emergence of mental health issues and depression. Post Partum Depression, otherwise known as PPD is a common condition for mothers who have recently given birth and can cause great feelings of distress. Signs include sadness, anxiety, exhaustion, and difficulty functioning in daily life. You may feel as though you are on an emotional rollercoaster with a constant fluctuating mood. Crying more often, feelings of emptiness and worthlessness are present in addition to a loss of interest in any activities that you once enjoyed.
A combination of therapy, counseling and medication can help as well as developing a more holistic approach. It may surprise you to learn that PPD doesn’t just affect biological mothers but can also affect surrogate mothers and adoptive parents. PPD is more long lasting than the shorter version often referred to as the”‘baby blues”. PPD affects up to 20% of new mothers. This often becomes apparent in the first three months after having given birth and as high as 30% will go on to develop major depression signs. In other studies, it is shown to affect up to 60% of mothers.
The Three Types
There are three different types of PPD. The first is the less severe form most commonly known as The Baby Blues which occurs one or two days after giving birth. Common signs include crying out of the blue and feeling higher levels of anxiety than you normally do. These signs subside within one or two weeks.
The second type, as discussed in this article, is Post Partum Depression. This is more intense than the more common baby blues and signs continue and are consistent after two weeks. Signs can become chronic, lasting up to and beyond a year. Constant feelings of irritability are present and there is an overall disruption in daily functioning greatly affecting your quality of life. Feelings of inadequacy are present, and you feel incapable of taking care of the baby.
The third type is referred to as Post Partum Psychosis and is also the most severe form. This requires medical attention. Rest assured, this type is extremely rare, occurring in only 1% of the population. Signs include rapid speech, feelings of agitation and confusion, delusions and hallucinations, loss of hope, and mania.
It can affect the mother’s mental health and compromise the whole family’s state of wellness. Influences include both biological and psychosocial factors, hormonal and psychological factors. Personal risk factors include an individual or family history of stress, anxiety and depression, or negative life experiences. Mothers who had a history of either childhood sexual abuse or adult sexual abuse show a higher risk of developing PPD. Marital conflict and financial stress are also contributing factors as well as an overall lack of coping skills. Other factors include high levels of anxiety during pregnancy, low maternal self-confidence or belief in one’s knowledge or skills, and insufficient social support. Interventions include screening for depression, cognitive behaviour therapy, interpersonal therapy, psychoeducation, and prescription medication in addition to a change in one’s lifestyle.
Signs to watch out for:
-feeling sad and guilty for no apparent reason
-constantly feeling edgy and overthinking everything
- disinterest in any activities you used to actually like
-changes in eating behaviour, over-eating and under-eating
-loss of drive to get anything done, feeling lethargic
-insomnia or sleeping all the time
-crying that appears to come out of the blue
-lack of concentration
-feeling disinterested in the baby or feeling stressed out around the baby
Effective management of PPD includes a preventative approach involving screening for potential biomarkers such as inter-leukin 6 and C-reactive protein. A family inclusive as well as a culturally sensitive approach leads to the most favorable outcomes. Nonprescription interventions focusing on a holistic approach also enhances maternal mental health. The Post Partum period is an essential part of a woman’s life and affects her well-being as well as her offspring’s well-being. There are significant hormonal changes taking place leading to various emotional states and can potentially lead to Post Partum Depression. It occurs within one year after giving birth. According to The WHO (World Health Organization) a range of emotional difficulties affect as high as 80% percent of women during pregnancy and after giving birth. The condition is often neglected, under-diagnosed, and under-estimated. Undiagnosed PPD can lead to 20% of PPD related suicides. Despite the increased awareness of PPD, there is still great stigma surrounding it, and many new mothers don’t feel comfortable getting help.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, know that you are not alone. Reaching out for help is brave. You deserve to feel supported during the many changes you are going through, biologically, socially, and the change in lifestyle that comes with having a baby.
PPD is more long lasting than the shorter version often referred to as the”‘baby blues”.
