Beating Post-Partum Depression
Hormonal Changes Make Women So Blue and They Have to be Ready for It
Jul 13, 2009
Justine, aged 28, gave birth to her first-born son in May this year. She went through natural delivery and felt triumphant that everything was well. But it was much sooner when she realized how dreadful and depressing motherhood could be.
Uh-oh! Here Come the Blues!
During the mornings, she revealed that she would cried so loudly in the shower, frozen by the sudden rush of anxiety on the physical changes of her body, missing her job, and her sleepless nights as a nursing mother.
She also feared her own thoughts on the responsibility of raising her child until her death.
"I did not understand myself after a few days of giving birth," she said in an interview with Suite101.com. "I felt a sudden rush of fear and sadness. I would cry while taking a shower because I noticed ugly changes in my body like the bulges and birth marks. I also feared that I may not be able to cope with the demands of motherhood, emotionally and financially."
Justine is a company nurse based in Queens and has been on leave from work, for the first, since she gave birth.
Overwhelming Depression
Many women do not anticipate the impact of post-partum depression (PPD) and get overwhelmed by it. Justine is a classic case of PPD, says Dr. Belen Sering, a retired psychiatrist in Queens, New York.
"Hormonal changes after birth certainly affects the neurotransmitters of the brain and introduces dramatic changes in a woman's body, which explains the blues and depression," she said.
Medical researches identify PPD symptoms as having one or a combination of egotistical views, manic depression, delusions of grandeur, feelings of emptiness, self-blame, panic and anxiety attacks, tearfulness, mood swings, losing touch with reality, hallucination, irrational thoughts, inability to take care of self or baby, thoughts of harming the baby or self, loss of concentration, exhaustion, marked fear of criticism of mothering skills, eating problems, mild to severe depression, feeling out of control, hopelessness, hysteria, or obsessive concern about the baby.
Treatment and Management of PPD
There are various medications for PPD. It may be in the form of alternative medicine such as acupuncture and herbal, or drugs such as progesterone shots after birth, anti-depressants or mood stabilizers.
The new age approach of yoga or in keeping in touch with one's spirituality is also a new form of treatment.
The ultimate treatment is however is for mothers to learn to take care of themselves, Dr. Sering and the health website at the Emedicinehealth.Com said.
Eat, sleep, and personal hygiene are the three major musts. Products with caffeine and sugar should also be avoided.
"Get plenty of rest, put up your feet, read magazines, listen to music, take a warm bath. Accept offerings of help from family members and go outside for sunshine and gentle walk," Dr. Sering adds.
Justine is taking steps to fight her post-partum blues away. She said the support of her family and friends helped her a lot. "As much as I can, I never spend time alone. I call up friends in the phone and talk to neighbors to ward away my unexplained sadness. Then after a while, I feel better."
(For further information on Postpartum Depression, log on to Emedicinehealth.com)
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