Postpartum Depression

Postpartum Depression and Hormones

Postpartum Depression is said to be caused by the rapid increase and decrease of two hormones, estrogen and progesterone.  During pregnancy these hormones increase rapidly and within the first 24 hours of childbirth they decrease rapidly to pre-pregnancy levels.  These hormones also change during the women’s menstrual period.  These two hormones are steroid type hormones that support reproduction.  Postpartum Depression is a form of a major depression that must not go untreated or it can lead to severe consequences. 

Hormonal changes before the menstrual cycle, those that are sufficient enough to cause premenstrual syndrome, and severe hormonal changes during the menstrual period can lead a woman to react unpredictably to different situations. The same can happen during postpartum depression.  For instance, she may begin to cry profusely or she may suddenly seem angered for no sufficient reason.  Likewise, depression can result from rapid hormonal changes.  This can be due to the hormonal changes that have rapidly occurred in her body and this can be postpartum depression; this is why some researchers say that postpartum depression stems from hormonal changes.  The same symptoms of postpartum depression seem to occur during menstrual periods in which the estrogen and progesterone rapidly increase and decrease, albeit the symptoms produced by hormonal changes during menstruation are far less severe. 

When experiencing postpartum depression, a woman normally shouldn’t spend a lot of time secluded from others as this can intensify feelings associated with the onset of depression.  Further, if a woman suspects that she is experiencing postpartum depression, she needs to seek outside assistance as soon as possible: the sooner she gets help in managing the symptoms, the better off she will be in terms of psychological health.

How To Overcome Postpartum Depression and Anxiety

Postpartum depression and anxiety are realities many pregnant women may not consider, and that many women suffering from these conditions may not want to admit. Overcoming postpartum depression and anxiety can be very challenging, but it can be done.

 

Overcoming postpartum depression and anxiety begins with admitting it to yourself so you can actively seek help. It’s also important for you to tell someone and share your feelings—your partner, your mother, a close friend, a mom’s support group—so they can help you on the road to overcoming postpartum depression and anxiety. Having these support people available, even if it’s just on the phone, can do a world of good in overcoming postpartum depression and anxiety.

 

Furthermore, ensure you get adequate help. Delivered meals, help with the baby and cleaning the house will all aid in overcoming postpartum depression and anxiety. In addition, getting enough sleep and rest is critical to your success in overcoming postpartum depression and anxiety. If you can’t sleep when the baby sleeps, find someone to watch the baby. Getting out of the house with your baby and getting away from your baby regularly is also essential for overcoming postpartum depression and anxiety. Run errands, go for a walk, have coffee with a girlfriend or visit a relative.

 

It’s also critical to talk to your doctor who will be able to further advise you in overcoming postpartum depression and anxiety. Counseling and other forms of therapy may be recommended. For some women, medication may be beneficial and even necessary for overcoming postpartum depression and anxiety, such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety pills.

 

Finally, remember that comparing yourself to other moms might only aggravate your symptoms of depression and anxiety. All moms experience hard times, especially in the beginning. The bottom line for overcoming postpartum depression and anxiety is to talk about it and get all the help you can.

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Dealing with Symptoms of Postpartum Depression during Pregnancy

During a woman’s pregnancy she may feel sad, restless, and may even cry a lot, and even though these can be normal symptoms of being pregnant, they can also be signs of depression. Depression can be a feeling of sadness, unhappiness, or just feeling miserable for a period of time. Although these feelings are normal and happen to almost every pregnant woman, if the feelings last for an extended period of time then it is more severe. Some of the symptoms can be crying a lot, feeling worthless, no energy, loss of interest in different activities, and being withdrawn from family and friends. When those symptoms persist for extended periods of time, then it is a good sign of upcoming postpartum depression, and it is time to get them under control.

Unfortunately, most women don’t seek help when this happens because they feel ashamed or embarrassed. Women can deal with these symptoms by taking a few steps in the right direction. First of all, women can talk to their husbands, mates, or close friends instead of keeping feelings bottled up inside. They can also do only as much as they can and leave the rest of the work for someone else. They shouldn’t feel like they have to do it all. They should try not to be alone all the time and talk to some other mothers that seem to be going through the same things. Finally, they can avoid unneeded stress and not make any immediate life changes until some more time has passed by. Even with all these suggestions, however, it is imperative that pregnant women whose lives are negatively affected by these feelings consult their physicians.

Welcome To My Postpartum Depression Blog

Postpartum Depression - Why Did This Happen to Me?

Why did postpartum depression happen to you?

I created this blog to address that problem.....especially after pregnancy.

Actually, no one knows for sure. The causes of postpartum depression are speculative at best. Hormones, most likely, which cause chemical changes in the brain, but there is no definitive research to prove this one way or the other.

However, it has been shown that certain factors may mean that you are more likely than others to get postpartum depression. If you've had it before, or if you suffered from depression or severe PMS before you got pregnant, or if your emotional support system isn't the greatest or you've gone through some tough times recently, you are more likely to suffer from postpartum depression.

Take heart. Postpartum depression doesn't last forever. Anywhere from a few weeks to a year is average, with those who have experienced emotional difficulties or stressful situations or who were suffering from depression before they got pregnant may find that the symptoms last longer.

While you wait for it to pass, there are plenty of resources at your disposal if you feel that you need help. There are support groups and one-on-one therapy at your disposal. Most areas have a 1-800 numbers that you can call in an emergency, and there are quite a few forums and places online for you to talk to others who are experiencing postpartum depression as well.

Try to make sure that you get out of the house everyday, even if it's just for a short walk. Set up a routine so that you have a plan for your day, and try and meet friends for tea if you have time. Anything to break the doldrums of life with a demanding baby will help you get through your postpartum depression until it passes.