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eLearning Series: Mental Illness
Explain Mental Illnesses To Me
How
To Deal with Postpartum Depression (PPD)
Postpartum depression (PPD) is often referred
to as “baby blues” and not understood by the majority of society,
many times least of all the new mother! More than 50
percent of women who give birth experience this form of depression
in some degree. The length of time that postpartum depression
lasts can vary from a few weeks to months or longer. A woman’s
body is going through immense hormonal changes and this may
one of the factors that initiate postpartum depression. Add
to that the new mother is sleep deprived, the baby is crying
and requires what seems like non-stop attention and the normal
reasoning can be thrown right out the window. Usually the new
mother’s body rebounds, the hormones level out, the routines
are figured out and everyone is smiling and hopefully sleeping
again.
There are some new mothers and even mothers who have had more
than one child who do not follow this pattern and they will
experience a severe from of postpartum depression. Along with
the normal new mother experiences she will also experience
anxiety, insomnia and irritability along with difficulty concentrating
and a deep, overwhelming sadness that she can’t seem to explain
and of course this will magnify all the other symptoms over
again and she is now in a horrible cycle of depression. Other
factors that contribute to this form of depression include,
lack of family support, possible history of depression either
in herself or other members of her family and negative experiences
in her life. The new mother will respond well if she takes
antidepressants, which will help balance, those hormones once
again.
Along with mild and moderate forms of postpartum depression
approximately one percent of women will experience postpartum
psychosis which, as its name suggests depression with psychotic
tendencies. Women who have been diagnosed with a bipolar disorder
or schizophrenia have a risk of this type of postpartum depression.
This type of postpartum depression is what most people hear
about in the news and receives the greatest attention. Women
who suffer from this form of depression are more likely to
cause harm to their children and/or themselves because they
have hallucinations that their child/children are evil in some
manner and they are trying to save them. Prompt treatment is
imperative in these situations.
Coping strategies for the new mother coping with postpartum
depression:
Ask for help in cooking, cleaning – don’t be afraid to get
some help then you can spend time with your baby.
When your baby is sleeping don’t stay up and read you lie
down also and get some much needed and deserved rest.
Expectations that you must do everything now – throw that
out the window.
Have someone watch your baby and you take some time for yourself
or with someone special
If you are medications that do not allow you to breastfeed,
remember that if you don’t take care of yourself you will not
be able to take care of your baby.
When your baby is sleeping through the night, which means
you will too, this is the perfect opportunity to begin an exercise
program to get your body into the shape you want, this will
give your self-esteem a great boost.
There
are phases for treatment of postpartum depression:
Acute – the goal is to bring the symptoms into remission
Continuation – the goal is to stabilize your mood and hormones,
aid in recovery, and prepare a long-term plan to prevent repeat
occurrences.
Get help as soon as feel the baby blues have lasted too long
or get worse. There is nothing to be ashamed about and treatment
will help you regain control quickly. Do what is best for you
and the bond with your new baby. The medications and resources
available today have greatly improved. Getting quick and aggressive
treatment in the beginning will bring you to a better place
and then it is about maintenance. Make sure you take time for
you, eat right, get adequate rest, and don’t have too much
stress. All these things along with medication and therapy
can make the difference on how you enjoy your baby, your life,
and most importantly you. Postpartum doesn’t have to take over
your life.
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SolveYourProblem.com
: 2006
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