Postpartum depression – what characterizes it?

The birth of a child is always a big change in the life of a woman and her family. Often pregnancy and childbirth cause a lot of stress, putting a strain on the psyche of the young mother. It is not uncommon for women not to admit to the problems that plague them. How can postpartum depression be diagnosed in a young mother?

Postpartum Psychological Distress

Postpartum mental health disorders negatively affect the lives of the young mother, the newborn, and the entire family. Lack of diagnosis and proper treatment can greatly affect the relationship with the newborn and loved ones. Postpartum psychological disorders include:

• baby blues,
• postpartum depression,
• postpartum psychosis,
• postpartum hypomania.

Postpartum depression

Is a postpartum mental disorder that develops several to several weeks after delivery. The severity of symptoms of this disorder is much greater than that of the baby blues. Postpartum depression affects 7-20% of women.

Symptoms

Symptoms of postpartum depression resemble ordinary depression. Among the characteristic features of this disorder are:

• obsessive fears of the young mother, who believes that she is incompetent to care for her own child, she also thinks that she may unknowingly harm the child. All of this creates stress during contact with the newborn. When a woman tries to avoid this anxiety, she is accompanied by feelings of guilt and helplessness,
• emotional instability and crying. Women with postpartum depression complain of constant fatigue, sadness, and their own helplessness,
• a belief that the newborn is an extremely difficult child to care for,
• anxiety with panic attacks, along with excessive worry about their own and their baby’s health,
• loneliness and being misunderstood by the surroundings – this causes difficulties in showing emotions,
• somatic complaints such as
  • insomnia,
  • crying,
  • concentration problems.
• tremendous feelings of guilt and suicidal thoughts.

Risk factors for postpartum depression

The factors that increase the risk of postpartum depression are complicated and include changes in hormone levels and stressful life changes, among others. The most common factors that increase the risk of postpartum depression include:

• a previous mood disorder or history of anxiety,
• perinatal complications,
• adverse psychosocial factors,
• severe and prolonged postpartum grief,
• previous history of postpartum disorders in the family,
• unplanned pregnancy,
• previous loss of a child – miscarriage, stillbirth,
• bad perinatal memories related to staff.

Detection of postpartum depression

During the postpartum period, it is important to empathically support the woman, i.e., respond to even the smallest complaints, so that some symptoms may resolve on their own (e.g., baby blues). Unfortunately, sometimes in spite of the support, the symptoms may intensify. Then it will be necessary to confirm the postpartum depression by using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale test, which consists of ten questions. The test takes only a moment to complete and a maximum score indicates the likelihood of postpartum depression. It is then necessary to consult a psychiatrist or psychologist.

Treatment methods for postpartum depression

Failure to treat postpartum depression can lead to severe depression or even suicide. Suicide attempts are very rare, but they are the leading cause of death for young mothers. Treatment for postpartum depression consists of:

• psychotherapy,
• psycho-education,
• psychological support,
• antidepressants (most of them can be taken during breastfeeding).

Women with more severe symptoms of postpartum depression require hospital treatment. Importantly, postpartum depression negatively affects the health and life of the woman and her family. Lack of appropriate treatment can lead to severe disorders or even suicide.