While many women enjoy the changes in their bodies during pregnancy, it’s not true for everyone.

Postpartum Depression

For some women, these changes lead to postpartum depression (i.e. post natal depression). Apart from the typical feelings of sadness, it can make them feel exhausted and disconnected from reality.

A woman suffering from postpartum depression (PPD) may have periods of unexplained and uncontrollable sadness. She may not understand the reason behind her tangled emotions, or why she has trouble falling to sleep one day and the next day feels unable to crawl out of bed. Her emotions are sporadic and irrational.

The birth of a baby is generally expected to be a joyous occasion, with friends and family joining in to celebrate. But for a mother with postpartum depression, the joy of the new baby can quickly begin to feel like a curse.

The new mother sometimes feels disconnected emotionally from the baby, or even resentful of the newborn, which leads to feelings of intense guilt. The guilt can lead to sadness, a feeling of low self-worth and despondency.

The guilt and shame of her emotion due to postpartum depression can lead to panic attacks. She might feel like she’s losing control as her mind races and she’s unable to focus or concentrate on every day tasks. Physical symptoms can include nausea, trouble breathing and a racing heart beat – all signs of stress. Symptoms only get worse as she begins to worry if there’s something wrong with her for not loving her baby. A sense of hopelessness and exhaustion from lack of sleep can even lead to suicidal ideations as the young mother sees no escape from her turmoil.

Women who fall into a postpartum depression are often found to have some other underlying mental impairment such as chemical or hormonal imbalances. If the birth was especially difficult or traumatic, the new mother may even have post-traumatic stress syndrome. Typically, doctors will treat PPD with a combination of antidepressants and therapy.

If you yourself are suffering from postpartum depression.

If you believe you may be suffering from postpartum depression, you must seek help immediately. The illness doesn’t only affect you; it can have an effect on everyone around you – including your baby. Your PPD may render you unable to properly care for your infant. If you aren’t able to give your newborn the emotional care that it needs it can have effects that last a lifetime.

As with any other form of depression, there can be certain triggers leading to postpartum depression. A difficult birth is one, as mentioned before, but there are other triggers: death of a friend or family member, difficult financial situations, moving, or even hereditary make-up can all play a part.

As mentioned, therapists have found that a combination of therapy and antidepressant medication work well to treat postpartum depression, but new studies have shown that electromagnetic therapy may also help. Scientists continue on their search for new and better ways to treat depression, which includes postpartum depression, so new mothers will have a reason to feel hope.

Sufferers can also help themselves by keeping a journal.

Studies show that writing about your emotions and any stressors can help bring relief. Having a good friend to talk to is another way to relieve stress – your husband, best friend or even a trusted clergy member will do. Hopefully, your family will be there providing loving support.

Of course, you should get a complete check-up to rule out any underlying medical condition. There are a variety of new antidepressants that doctors may choose to prescribe to treat postpartum depression. What works for one woman may not help the next, so if you don’t feel you’re getting better, let your doctor know. She may need to change your prescription to find what works for you.

If you have had any thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, it’s important that your family and doctor know. Remember that these feelings don’t make you a bad mother; you’re suffering from an illness and need treatment. Don’t be afraid to admit that you need help.

If you feel a bout of sadness or helplessness coming on, music and exercise have both been found to help. Exercise causes the body to release endorphins which are a nature’s way of making you feel better. Exercise also helps lift your spirits because you’ll feel like you’re doing something helpful for yourself.

If you suffer from postpartum depression, don’t give up hope! There is treatment and you will get better. Talk to your family, talk to your friends and talk to your doctor to get the treatment you need.

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