According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS), the baby blues can happen in the days right after childbirth and normally go away within a few days to a week.
A new mother can sudden experience mood swings, sadness, crying spells, loss of appetite, sleeping problems, and feel irritable, restless, anxious, and lonely. Symptoms are not severe and treatment isn't needed. But there are things you can do to help your spouse feel better. Make sure she naps when the baby does Postpartum depression can happen anytime within the first year after childbirth. A woman may have a number of symptoms such as sadness, lack of energy, trouble concentrating, anxiety, and feelings of guilt and worthlessness.
The difference between postpartum depression and the baby blues is that postpartum depression often affects a woman's well-being and keeps her from functioning well for a longer period of time. Postpartum depression needs to be treated by a doctor. Counseling, support groups, and medicines are things that can help. Postpartum psychosis is known to be rare.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS), it occurs in 1 or 2 out of every 1000 births and usually begins in the first 6 weeks postpartum. Women who have bipolar disorder or another psychiatric problem called schizoaffective disorder are known to have a higher risk for developing postpartum psychosis.
Symptoms may include delusions, hallucinations, sleep disturbances, and obsessive thoughts about the baby. A woman may have rapid mood swings, from depression to irritability to euphoria.
About the Author
Paul Banas is a founder of GreatDad.com. He writes articles on parenting styles, parenting, pregnancy and dads, parenting tips, baby names, pregnancy symptoms and many more topics related to dads.
2009/08/09
Postpartum depression affects about 14% of women and generally begins about 4-6 weeks after delivery
Postpartum depression affects about 14% of women and generally begins about 4-6 weeks after delivery, not right away, as thought by many. Although it is thought of as a women's disorder, 10% of new fathers suffer from postpartum depression though it's often not recognized as such when it arises. The symptoms are similar in both sexes, but the causes in men may be sudden and unexpected lifestyle changes.
Risk factors include a history of depression, stressful life events, a lack of social support, low self-esteem, anxiety or stress during pregnancy. A new mom may also experience mood swings, sadness, irritability, crying, poor concentration, and trouble sleeping. In some women, symptoms worsen dramatically to include loss of appetite, insomnia, intense irritability and anger, overwhelming fatigue, loss of interest in sex, feelings of shame or inadequacy, severe mood swings, and a hard time bonding with the baby. In extreme cases, there may be withdrawal from family and friends, and thoughts of self-harm or harming the baby.
One of the major causes of postpartum depression in women is the dramatic drop in estrogen and progesterone which occur after childbirth as well as the drop in those hormones produced by the thyroid gland, which make you feel tired, sluggish and depressed. In addition, when anyone has a lack of sleep and is overwhelmed with life changes, depression may easily occur. Some women feel anxious about their ability to care for a newborn or feel less attractive or struggle with a changing identity that motherhood causes. If untreated, a father's postpartum depression can be just as harmful to the child and to both parents as children born into such families receive less attention from the depressed parent and are at a higher risk for developing a variety of problems.In a situation of post-partum depression, see your doctor about medications such as Prozac or Zoloft which may be helpful during this time to help you feel better sooner.
About the Author
medic pharma is your source of information for all things mental health related. Feeling stressed? Anxious? Depressed? Find out whether what your experiencing is normal, or whether you would benefit from treatment. Learn how deal with your symnptoms and learn tips for coping.
Risk factors include a history of depression, stressful life events, a lack of social support, low self-esteem, anxiety or stress during pregnancy. A new mom may also experience mood swings, sadness, irritability, crying, poor concentration, and trouble sleeping. In some women, symptoms worsen dramatically to include loss of appetite, insomnia, intense irritability and anger, overwhelming fatigue, loss of interest in sex, feelings of shame or inadequacy, severe mood swings, and a hard time bonding with the baby. In extreme cases, there may be withdrawal from family and friends, and thoughts of self-harm or harming the baby.
One of the major causes of postpartum depression in women is the dramatic drop in estrogen and progesterone which occur after childbirth as well as the drop in those hormones produced by the thyroid gland, which make you feel tired, sluggish and depressed. In addition, when anyone has a lack of sleep and is overwhelmed with life changes, depression may easily occur. Some women feel anxious about their ability to care for a newborn or feel less attractive or struggle with a changing identity that motherhood causes. If untreated, a father's postpartum depression can be just as harmful to the child and to both parents as children born into such families receive less attention from the depressed parent and are at a higher risk for developing a variety of problems.In a situation of post-partum depression, see your doctor about medications such as Prozac or Zoloft which may be helpful during this time to help you feel better sooner.
About the Author
medic pharma is your source of information for all things mental health related. Feeling stressed? Anxious? Depressed? Find out whether what your experiencing is normal, or whether you would benefit from treatment. Learn how deal with your symnptoms and learn tips for coping.
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