Postpartum Depression: Symptoms and Treatment

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Each woman after the birth of a child changes the usual life rhythm, the regime of the day, nutrition and so on. This causes a storm of emotions that a young mother can not always cope with. Against the background of all these changes, many women can develop postpartum depression, so the symptoms and treatment of this ailment should be studied in detail.

Causesdevelopment of postpartum depression

Depression associated with childbirth, gradually occurs in women for a variety of reasons. Usually such a state progresses in an unfavorable family atmosphere. The prerequisites for the development of this disease can be divided into several groups.

Changing the hormonal background is the main cause of depression. Changes in the endocrine system are usually observed in a young mother within a week after childbirth. During this period, the initial stage of cardiovascular depression begins.

Physical disorders

These disorders can worsen the following moods:

• severe births, accompanied by injuries, ruptures and other injuries;
• inadequate amount of nutrients in the body;
• excess weight.

Woman ceases to feel attractive. Her physical condition worsens, causing psychological disturbances.

Psychological causes of

These include:

• unexpectedly difficult birth process, to which the mother was not ready;
• fear of not coping with the role of the mother;
• fear of complications in the financial support of the baby, usually this factor is groundless;
• emergence of an unplanned child;
• Fear of the generic process;
• previous unsuccessful experience of bearing or giving birth to an unhealthy baby.

These are the most common reasons why a woman develops depression.

Important! Women who have had cases of depressive conditions in their relatives are prone to this disease. Also at risk are young mothers with mental disorders or diseases.

Social background

These factors include:

• lack of support for close people after the birth of a child;
• lack of experience in caring for the baby;
• poor relationship between the parents of the child;
• tense situation in the family.

This pathology can also develop as a result of such factors:

1. Characteristics of the woman. If she was selfish, then sharing time with herself and the child would be difficult.
2. The period of lactation. The painful sensations that are caused by this process can cause a woman a stressful condition.
3. Lack of sexual activity. The first time a woman is contraindicated in sexual relationships, and constant fatigue simply dislodges thoughts about them. Problems with a partner begin, which negatively affects the emotional state of the young mother.

The presence of some of these factors is the cause of the gradual development of depression after childbirth. A woman is frightened by the fact that she must already answer not only for her life, but also for the life of the baby.

It's important to remember! The entire period of bearing the child and the construction period is required to provide the future mother with care and confidence in the future!

Symptoms of depression

How does depression manifest in young mothers? This pathology in women causes sudden and unreasonable changes in mood from joy to sadness, from sadness and anxiety to anger. The most pronounced depression occurs after 3 months after childbirth. The young mother has such signs of pathology:

• chronic fatigue;
• any pleasant moments cease to cause joy;
• a complete breakdown;
• refusal to communicate with close people, friends, acquaintances;
• loss of interest in his appearance and development, as well as to the baby;
• sleep disturbance;
• inattention;
• loss of sexual desire and arousal;
• loss of appetite.

In especially difficult cases, a woman can even visit thoughts about suicide. Prolonged postpartum depression occurs one year after childbirth with the correct complex treatment.

Diagnosis of pathology after childbirth

Clinical diagnosis presents difficulties in identifying the disease. This is due to the fact that the doctor writes off signs of a depression depression on the features of a woman's character and whims. What kind of doctor should I contact with the problem? Specialists in this matter are a pediatrician who regularly examines the baby from the first days of life or a gynecologist. If they reveal a suspicion of the development of pathology, then they are referred to a psychologist or psychiatrist for consultations. These specialists diagnose depression after childbirth by testing a young mother. Such testing should be conducted every week. If there is no positive dynamics, then complex therapy is prescribed.

Treatment of postpartum depression

How to cope with postpartum depression? The recovery and treatment of a woman after birth is psychologically carried out, taking into account the severity of the condition, and also depending on the individual characteristics of the course of the disease. Usually, complex therapy includes the following activities:

1. Visiting a psychologist. This is one of the most effective ways to overcome the depressive state. The psychologist helps to solve the exciting problems, give advice or recommendation on many issues. A woman will feel relieved after each consultation.
2. Antidepressants. This is a fairly effective group of drugs, but these tablets have many side effects. Therefore, their reception is contraindicated during breastfeeding. But you can consult a doctor who will choose the most effective and safe antidepressants.
3. Normalization of the hormonal background. The use of hormonal drugs is required only in cases when depression is caused by changes in the endocrine system.

Also doctors are advised to adhere to such rules during the period of treatment:

• should not forget that postpartum depression is a temporary phenomenon, with correct therapy, the oppressed state passes quickly enough;
• does not need to strive to become the best mom, because for your child this point does not need proof;
• more rest and sleep, the baby needs a rested and happy mother;
• involve in the process of neonatal care for loved ones;
• to give time to itself, 30 minutes a day is enough to balance the mental state;
• spend as much time as possible in the fresh air. It is useful both for the baby and for the mother, the more all this time he will sleep;
• to receive positive emotions - to do that which brought pleasure before the birth of the child;
• to allocate time for dialogue with the partner alone;
• to eat properly and regularly.

Compliance with the above rules during the treatment period will help to get rid of postpartum depression in a short time.

It's important to remember! If a woman has not managed to avoid this pathology, this does not mean that she is a bad mom!

Treatment with folk remedies

How can I cope on my own with this pathology? To combat straddal depression, alternative medicine can be used. They can replace the use of antidepressants, which negatively affect the development of the baby during breastfeeding. There are many recipes for the preparation of such products. The most effective methods of influence should be considered in more detail.

St. John's wort

To prepare the decoction it will take 2 tsp. Dried St. John's wort, which should be filled with 1 glass of boiling water. Leave to infuse for 10 minutes. Take this medicine 3 times a day.

Schisandra Chinese

Should take 20 g of crushed berries of this plant, add 100 ml of medical alcohol. Infuse the medication for 10 days in a dark place. After the time has elapsed, open the container, squeeze and eliminate the berries. Leave to stand for 3 more days. Then once again strain the tincture and take 1 tbsp.l.3 times a day.

You should also remember to use complex vitamins to normalize the physical condition of a woman.

It's important to know! Traditional medicine should never be taken with antidepressants! This can give the opposite effect, that is, the state of the woman will deteriorate.

Prevention of pathology

How to avoid postpartum depression? For this it is required to adhere to such rules:

1. To pass the courses of young mothers for the preparation for the birth of a baby and the subsequent proper care of it. This will help to prepare mentally for the process.
2. Before giving birth, family responsibilities should be distributed to all family members. As a young mother can not cope with the economy, at least for the first time.
3. Senior women in the family should share the experience of having children. And also help in caring for the newborn.
4. Properly eat and observe the regime of the day. Mom should be rested and happy.
5. Native and close people should surround with care not only the newborn, but also his mother. She should not experience negative emotions. This will help not only to avoid cardiovascular depression, but also to increase the duration of lactation.

It's important to remember! Do not ignore pathology, because it can lead to unpleasant consequences!

Consequences of postpartum depression

Than this pathology is dangerous? It can lead to unpleasant consequences for the child. The baby may have insomnia and emotional disturbances in the future. Also, against the background of the disease, women can develop postpartum depression in men. Therefore, in order to protect their replenished family from negative influences, it is necessary to prepare competently for the process of childbirth and the construction period.