An Overview of Postpartum Depression.

The birth of a child is meant to bring joy to the mother, but it can also cause confusion and distress in some mothers. Postpartum depression can develop as a result of prolonged baby blues. It is difficult to distinguish between normal stress experienced in parenthood and postpartum depression.

What exactly is postpartum depression?

   Postpartum depression typically manifests within the first four to six weeks after a child is born, and it is unlikely to go away on its own. The majority of women experience postpartum depression for more than a year after giving birth. Women who do not receive adequate clinical treatment will be forced to live with this condition for 3-4 years.Postpartum depression's exact causes are unknown. There are numerous causes of postpartum depression in new mothers. Postpartum depression is more likely in women who have a mental health condition.Hormone fluctuations during and after pregnancy can have an impact on a woman's mood. Progesterone and estrogen levels rise during pregnancy and return to normal after delivery.A variety of non-hormonal factors can cause postpartum depression. Some of them are changes in the body during and after pregnancy, changes in social relationships, less time and freedom for self, lack of sleep (insomnia), Worrying about being a good mother.Postpartum depression is more likely in certain circumstances, such as if a mother is under the age of 20, if she is addicted to smoking, alcohol, and drugs, if the pregnancy was unplanned, if she had any psychological problems before pregnancy, and if she experienced stressful events during the delivery period, such as the death of a loved one, personal illness, difficulty during delivery, or premature delivery.Postpartum depression in fathers is based on their proximity with mothers due to emotional strain and negativity.

Signs and Symptoms of postpartum depression

Feeling sad, hopeless, empty or overwhelmed, crying more often or unnecessary for no particular reason, worrying unnecessarily or becoming too anxious about postpartum life, feeling moodily irritable and restless, oversleeping or unable to sleep because of baby's sleep patterns, memory problems such as unable to remember phone numbers, making proper decisions and lacking concentration, experiencing too much anger and rage, losing interest in activities that were previously pleasurable (Anhedonia), suffering from physical problems such as headaches, stomach ache, muscle spasms, etc., eating too much or very little, withdrawing or avoiding family members, difficulty in forming an attachment with the baby, continuously doubting the ability to care the baby, thinking about harming self or baby.

Diagnosis of postpartum depression

The diagnosis can be carried out only by an experienced clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.the mother will be given a depression screening questionnaire, and blood tests will be conducted to test the thyroid function

Treatment

Postpartum depression can be treated with psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, medication, or all. Psychotherapy is the process by which the concerns of the mother can be discussed with the therapist. Through the therapy, the mother will be able to cope with feelings, solve problems and set realistic goals, thereby responding to situations positively.Antidepressants can be given to treat the problem. They help to balance the brain activity that is involved in regulating mood. Antidepressants should only be consumed under the guidance of a doctor, as antidepressants may have side effects for the lactating mother and child.