The truth is that postnatal depression is really common however there are a lot of women who don’t really know what it’s all about. Because of this they choose to suffer alone and in silence, without reaching for help. Remember that you are not the only one with this problem.
What is depression that is postnatal?
All women think that having a baby is a source of joy, and this is how it is supposed to be. However, it may be difficult for the new mothers to experience this feeling right away and because of this they could become anxious. It is possible that these feelings last for short periods of time. In this case the situation is known as ‘baby blues’.
You are facing PND problems if the situation lasts for longer periods of time. In rare cases it is possible for a new mother to develop a very deep depression that is known as puerperal psychosis. This can also be treated if the mother asks for help.
Information about PND difficulties
About 10% of the new mothers are affected by this problem. Usually it appears 4-6 months after the birth of the baby. The symptoms can arise gradually or suddenly and they could be ranging from mild to serious. In the majority of the cases women are afraid to speak about the symptoms that they experience.
Causes of problems with PND
This problem could occur no matter what family circumstances you have and regardless whether this is your first child or not. The truth is that there is no specific known cause of the problem, but there are some risk factors that make its appearance more likely.
Common signs
You could have a couple of the signs of difficulties with PND or you could have all of them (but this is highly unlikely). The signs include thinking despondent or low, thinking that there is no hope, having a feeling of lethargy or numbness. It is possible that women don’t want to do anything and that they lose their interest in the outside world.
When it comes to PND issues women may also feel like they aren’t able to cope with the new situation and they could feel guilty about this. Women can also become more irritable that makes their sense of guilt even more accentuated and they may constantly feel like crying.
If a woman is dealing with PND conditions it is possible that she feels hungry all the time but she doesn’t have appetite. Sleeping problems could also occur, such as not being able to sleep, waking up early in the morning or having very vivid nightmares.
The issues with PND can also lead to indifference or hostility towards the woman’s partner or even towards baby and most probably women will have a decreased libido. Panic attacks that induce specific physical responses are also common.
Now you know more about depression after pregnancy and you should keep in mind that specialists can help you with your problem; all you have to do is to reach out to them.
