Women Mental Health

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The role of psychosocial factors in a woman's deteriorating mental health

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What is Post partum depression?

 

After giving birth, most new mothers endure postpartum "baby blues," which frequently include mood changes, crying bouts, anxiety, and trouble sleeping. The first two to three days after delivery are when baby blues typically start, and they can linger for up to two weeks.

Postpartum depression, on the other hand, is a more severe and pervasive type of depression that some new mothers endure. Because it can begin during pregnancy and persist after childbirth, it is sometimes referred to as peripartum depression. Postpartum psychosis is a severe mood illness that can occasionally appear after childbirth.

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Treatment Options

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Postpartum depression is neither a weakness or a deficiency in a person's character. Maybe it's just a side effect of childbirth. Treatment for postpartum depression as soon as possible will help you control your symptoms and strengthen your relationship with your newborn. The treatment consists of an integrated approach of pharmacotherapy & psychotherapy. 

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Postpartum depression symptoms may include:

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• Depressed mood or severe mood swings

• Crying too much

• Difficulty bonding with your baby

• Withdrawing from family and friends

• Loss of appetite or eating much more than usual

• Inability to sleep, called insomnia, or sleeping too much

• Overwhelming tiredness or loss of energy

• Less interest and pleasure in activities you used to enjoy

• Intense irritability and anger

• Fear that you're not a good mother

• Hopelessness

• Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt or inadequacy

• Reduced ability to think clearly, concentrate or make decisions

• Restlessness

• Severe anxiety and panic attacks

• Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

• Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

Untreated, postpartum depression may last for many months or longer.

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Postpartum psychosis

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With postpartum psychosis — a rare condition that usually develops within the first week after delivery — the symptoms are severe. Symptoms may include:

• Feeling confused and lost

• Having obsessive thoughts about your baby

• Hallucinating and having delusions

• Having sleep problems

• Having too much energy and feeling upset

• Feeling paranoid

• Making attempts to harm yourself or your baby

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Postpartum psychosis may lead to life-threatening thoughts or behaviors and requires immediate treatment.

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What is menopausal depression?

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Menopausal depression occurs in women when they start experiencing symptoms of depression when they hit menopause.

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Symptoms Include:

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• Feelings of hopelessness and numbness

• Lack of interest in hobbies and work

• Thoughts of suicide or self-harm

• Reduced mobility

• Digestive problems and cramps

• Tiredness and fatigue

• Changes in appetite

• Nervous tension

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Treatment Options

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Talk therapy & pharmacotherapy are first line of treatment for menopausal depression.

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What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

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Women experience premenstrual dysphoric disorder 1 week before the onset of their menses and start to improve within a few days after the onset of menses, and becomes minimal or absent in the week post menses.

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Symptoms:

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• Lasting irritability or anger that may affect other people

• Feelings of sadness or despair, or even thoughts of suicide

• Feelings of tension or anxiety

• Panic attacks

• Mood swings or crying often

• Lack of interest in daily activities and relationships

• Trouble thinking or focusing

• Tiredness or low energy

• Food cravings or binge eating

• Trouble sleeping

• Feeling out of control

• Physical symptoms, such as cramps, bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, and joint or muscle pain

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Treatment

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Treatment usually consists of pharmacotherapy & talk therapy, mainly CBT is used to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

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