Hi friends,
Childbirth is a situation
that is stressful not only to the mother, but also to the entire family.
Anxiety related to outcome, both for mother as well as the child, arrangement
of logistics, financial concerns, and increased responsibility - all come together
to make the situation complex. Predictably
enough, all these provide ample ground for precipitating depression. So what
situation would warrant medical attention for depression in this scenario? Does
every stressed mother need a mental health expert’s consultation after
childbirth? This is what we shall be discussing today.
Does a mother feeling
stressed and overwhelmed after child birth amount to her suffering from depression?
NO !!!
Upto 75% of women develop a
variety of emotional problems after child birth that does not amount to
depression. These problems are often referred to as ‘baby blues’.
Typically mood swings, tearfulness, sleep disturbances and occasionally,
feelings of guilt or inadequacy may be seen. They usually develop within days
of child birth and continue for a few weeks, but go away spontaneously. This is
seen all across the globe, across all cultures and languages. It has no
relation to any psychiatric condition. In other words, this can be regarded as
normal and nothing much besides providing emotional support needs to be done.
So when does it
amount to depression? What are the warning signs?
As many as 10-15% of women
may develop depression, often referred to as postpartum depression, after child
birth. Typically developing within 3-6 months of childbirth, it can be
dangerous both to the mother as well as the child. It warrants immediate
psychiatric consultation to prevent damage. Unlike baby blues, mood swings
often give way to persistent sadness. Additionally the mother may lose interest
in all pleasurable activities including caring for the baby. Sleep is often disturbed;
unreasonable guilt may occur and give rise to suicidal ideas. The condition is
closely related to severe mental disorders like bipolar disorder, and may need
longer term treatment. Sometimes, psychotic symptoms may emerge with a desire
to kill the baby or harm it. This condition obviously needs to be treated like
an emergency. Women recovering from this condition have a significant risk of
developing it again after subsequent child births as well.
What can be done to
prevent postpartum depression?
Prevention certainly is
better than cure! The most important thing that reduces depression after child
birth is good emotional support. Insulating the mother from pre-existing family
tensions and providing additional support during child birth will go a long way
in preventing depression. However, in those with a strong family history of a
similar problems, or those who have experienced similar episodes in the past,
medicines may be needed to prevent an episode or may need to be started at the
earliest sign of the problem emerging.
So that was about postpartum depression
friends! Hope you liked it!
Please let me know if you want me to
discuss any specific issue by typing in the comments section below.
Write in at stayhappy.prakash@gmail.com
So until next time, STAY HAPPY!
Dr. Sathya Prakash, MD, Dip. CBT
Consultant Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist
and Behavioural Sciences Expert
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