Pregnancy is a duration of both physical and emotional changes. It is expected that women should be happy during their pregnancy, but in fact, because of real and mental changes, an increased susceptibility for the onset of a depressive episode exists. Both pregnancy and also the postpartum period are often when a first episode of depression occurs.
Throughout the postpartum period, an emotional state known as the "blues" commonly occurs. Hormonal levels have dropped precipitously. Lack of sleep occurs, and new psychological factors are at play in reaction to the woman having a new role like a mother. The blues occur in 50% to 85% of all women postpartum and therefore are characterized by symptoms of depressed mood, tearfulness, mood swings, irritability, and anxiety.
These symptoms tend to be self-limited, beginning a couple of days postpartum and lasting a couple of weeks. If symptoms persist beyond 2 weeks and/or significantly impair functioning, there's a greater likelihood that a major depressive episode is present or will develop.
The postpartum period could be a high-risk time for a depressive episode in vulnerable women. For similar reasons the blues occur, also can depression. Depression occurs in approximately 10% to 15% of all postpartum women, which approximates the occurrence in the general population. Thus, although hormonal factors are believed to be contributory, they aren't strictly causative.
Factors associated with an increased risk for postpartum depression are track record of depression, a family good reputation for depression, limited support and interpersonal conflicts, and negative life events. Nearly all women have the start of symptoms within 6-weeks postpartum. The existence of depression doesn't signify poor parenting. What is important is to seek treatment immediately because untreated depression in the mother might have deleterious effects on the baby's development.
With recent media coverage of high-profile criminal cases of ladies who harmed their kids while struggling with postpartum illness, the diagnosis of depression in the postpartum period can result in concerns regarding the baby's welfare. The benefit of significant coverage of such tragedies is that it brings into the open and to the interest of clinicians the real risks of untreated depression in the postpartum period.
Although infanticide is in fact an uncommon results of mental illness, the real risks can be subtler. Depression following a birth can result in low self-esteem, reduced confidence in mothering abilities, and decreased attachment and bonding between mother and infant. Depression in the postpartum period is usually dismissed as "hormonal" or normal "baby blues."
In fact, depression is more severe compared to baby blues, as it can be related to suicidal ideation. Untreated depression comes with risks other than infanticide that are more likely. A depressed mother will be less in tune to the baby's needs, less in a position to monitor the environment for safety, and less apt to engage in a nonverbal dialogue with the baby. Early attachment is important in a baby's development, as poor attachment confers risks later in life for emotional and behavioral problems.
Once diagnosed with depression, however, you should understand that with treatment the risks will dissipate. Support from family members or friends can be enlisted to help bridge the gaps in tending to the newborn's needs while treatment is initiated.
In the most of instances of postpartum depression, the mother will be able to still care for her child while treatment is initiated. Rarely are there circumstances when mother and baby need temporary separation to maintain the baby's safety.
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