Postpartum Depression: Warning Signs and Treatment Options

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Postpartum Depression: Warning Signs and Treatment Options

Behavioral Health | Monday, February 28th, 2011 | No Comments

Having a new baby should be a joyful experience and one of the happiest moments of your life. For some, however, the birth is followed not by joy and excitement, but by depression. For most new mothers, this period of depression is both mild and short lived, but for some, the symptoms last longer and are much more severe, a condition known as postpartum depression.

Despite some of the controversial opinions surrounding this illness or assumptions that the illness is indicative of weakness in the mother, postpartum depression is much more serious than the more common “baby blues,” and should be treated immediately. Symptoms generally appear anywhere from 24 hours to a few months after giving birth, and can include:

· Intense mood swings, irritability and anger

· Periods of insomnia

· Unusual weight loss

· Chronic fatigue

· Inability to find happiness in life

· Feelings of worthlessness or rejection

· Distancing yourself from family and friends

· Disinterest in sex

· Difficulty bonding with your new baby

· Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

In addition to the emotional symptoms women experience, there are also a number of physical symptoms, including:

§ Frequent headaches

§ Chest pain

§ Rapid heartbeat

§ Numbness

§ Shakiness

§ Shortness of breath

While some mothers may be embarrassed to discuss concerns of depression with a physician, it is an important issue to address if your depression doesn’t go away within two weeks; if it is growing worse; if it’s becoming more difficult to go about your daily routine, including the care of your baby; or if you have any thoughts of hurting yourself or the baby.

Fortunately, the symptoms of postpartum depression can be controlled if treated, allowing you the freedom to enjoy your life and your baby. The most common treatments include:

§ Counseling. Counseling can provide a safe environment for you to discuss your feelings, learn to cope with all of your new emotions, solve problems and set goals that are realistic and attainable.

§ Antidepressants. Antidepressants are a common treatment for postpartum depression, although you do need to be aware, if breastfeeding, that whatever medication you are taking is going to enter your breast milk. You can weigh the risks with your physician.

§ Hormone therapy. After giving birth, women experience a drop in estrogen. Replacing that estrogen with hormone therapy is another method of easing the symptoms of postpartum. This treatment, like any other, should be discussed with your physician.

At St. Lucie Medical Center, we specialize in obstetrics and behavioral health conditions, including depression. If you’re feeling depressed or not yourself, call our Consult-A-Nurse® line at 1-800-382-3522 to make an appointment with one of our specialists. You can also visit us online for more information.

Sources:

Women’s Health

EMedicine

WebMD

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