Postpartum depression is a psychological disorder that can affect women during pregnancy, shortly after the birth of the baby or up to 1 year after birth, causing symptoms such as sadness, excessive crying, difficulties relating to the baby and feelings of guilt.
Furthermore, this type of depression, which can also affect parents, or other partners, can be caused by some factors, such as pressure on the ability to care for the baby, depression before pregnancy, sleep deprivation or stress during pregnancy, for example. example.
However, postpartum depression has a cure and can be treated with the help of a psychologist and/or psychiatrist, through psychotherapy sessions, physical exercise and, in some cases, the use of medication.
Main symptoms
Symptoms and signs of postpartum depression can appear soon after giving birth, up to a year after the baby is born, or even during pregnancy, and generally include:
- Constant sadness;
- Excessive crying;
- Mood changes;
- Feelings of guilt;
- Low self-esteem;
- Excessive tiredness;
- Difficulties relating to the baby;
- Fear of not being able to be a good mother;
- Irritability;
- Loss of appetite;
- Feeling of shame;
- Anxiety;
- Lack of pleasure in activities you liked;
- Thoughts of harming the baby and yourself;
- Suicidal thoughts;
- Insomnia.
In the first days of a baby’s life, many women may feel anxiety, insomnia, a feeling of emptiness or sadness. However, when these symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks, it may be postpartum depression, and it is advisable to consult a psychologist or psychiatrist to evaluate the symptoms and initiate the most appropriate treatment.
How long does postpartum depression last?
Postpartum depression can begin shortly after the baby is born or up to 1 year after birth, and can last from two weeks to a few months if not diagnosed and treated properly.
Postpartum depression in the man or other partners
Men, or other partners, may also experience postpartum depression, where symptoms may appear before birth or within the first year of the baby’s life, and symptoms may include irritability, sadness, negative thoughts, unwillingness to live together. with other people, easy and constant crying, loss of appetite and anxiety, for example.
Symptoms of postpartum depression in men, or other partners, may be related to mothers’ attention to their babies, which can leave them a little aside, and to internal pressure on the economy and career to offer a quality life for the baby and the wife, for example.
Therefore, men, or other partners, who experience symptoms of postpartum depression should also consult a psychologist or psychiatrist to begin the most appropriate treatment.
How the diagnosis is made
To diagnose postpartum depression, the psychiatrist, or general practitioner, generally assesses the duration and intensity of the symptoms and signs presented by the person, in addition to applying the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) questionnaire, to identify the symptoms of postpartum depression.
In addition, the doctor may also order blood tests to assess whether there are hormonal changes or changes in thyroid function, for example.
Make an appointment with the nearest doctor so that your symptoms can be assessed and the diagnosis can be made and the best treatment can be initiated, if necessary:
Taking care of your health has never been easier!
Postpartum Depression Online Test
If you think you may have postpartum depression, select what you are feeling in the test below:
This test is only a reference tool and cannot be used to make a diagnosis or replace consultation with a healthcare professional.
Causes of postpartum depression
Various physical and emotional factors can cause postpartum depression, such as hormonal changes, depression before pregnancy, stress during pregnancy and sleep deprivation during pregnancy.
Furthermore, difficulty breastfeeding, lack of family support, unplanned pregnancy, relationship problems, domestic violence and financial problems can also favor the emergence of postpartum depression.
How the treatment is carried out
The treatment of postpartum depression must be carried out under the guidance of a psychiatrist and/or psychologist, through psychotherapy, medication, exercise and healthy eating, and may vary according to the types and intensity of symptoms.
Thus, some options for treating postpartum depression are:
1. Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a treatment that can be used to help a mother, father, or other partner, deal with their emotions and feelings in a more positive way, helping to reduce symptoms such as irritability, anxiety and stress.
Psychotherapy must be guided by a psychologist or psychiatrist and treatment is carried out through individual or group sessions and lasts 45 to 60 minutes.
2. Antidepressant medications
Antidepressant medications should only be used under the guidance of a doctor and may be indicated to complement psychotherapy. Some of the medications that may be recommended are sertraline, paroxetine or nortriptyline, for example. Discover other remedies recommended for depression.
3. Physical activities
Doing physical activities, such as walking, running and swimming, 3 to 5 times a week, helps combat depression, because it stimulates the production of neurotransmitters that promote mood, pleasure and physical and mental well-being.
Furthermore, physical activities also help control cortisol and adrenaline levels in the body, which are hormones related to stress, irritability and anxiety.
4. Balanced diet
A balanced diet can also help combat the symptoms of depression, improving mood and well-being. Some of the foods that help fight depression are bananas, avocados, almonds and eggs, because they contain tryptophan, an amino acid that promotes the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates sleep and mood.
Furthermore, supplementation with omega 3 may also be recommended by your doctor to complement the treatment of postpartum depression, because this healthy fat increases the production of serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters responsible for regulating mood and well-being.
See with nutritionist Tatiana Zanin what to eat to improve your mood and well-being:
