Postpartum depression or postpartum depression is depression that occurs after childbirth. This is caused by an imbalance substance chemical in brain and is experienced by 10% of mothers who give birth.
Some think postpartum depression is the same as baby blues, but that assumption is not true. baby blues is an emotional changemood swings) which generally causes the mother to cry constantly, worry, and have difficulty sleeping for a few days to 2 weeks after the baby is born.
Meanwhile, postpartum depression is a more severe condition compared to postpartum depression baby blues. Postpartum depression makes sufferers feel hopeless, don't feel like a good mother, and don't want to take care of their children.
Postpartum depression is not only experienced by mothers, but can also be experienced by fathers. Postpartum depression in fathers most often occurs 3-6 months after the baby is born. A father is more susceptible to postpartum depression when his wife also suffers from the condition.
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression
Symptoms of postpartum depression or postnatal depression can occur in early pregnancy, a few weeks after giving birth, or up to a year after the baby is born. When experiencing postpartum depression, a person will experience the following symptoms:
- Feeling tired or powerless.
- Easily irritated and angry.
- Crying constantly.
- Feeling restless for no apparent reason.
- Experiencing drastic mood swings.
- Loss of appetite or eating more than usual.
- Not being able to sleep (insomnia) or sleeping too long.
- Difficulty thinking clearly, concentrating, or making decisions.
- Does not want to socialize with friends and family.
- Loss of interest in activities he used to enjoy.
- Hopeless.
- Thinking of hurting herself or her baby.
- The emergence of thoughts about death and suicidal thoughts.
When to go to the doctor
It is natural for a new mother to feel tired, anxious, and less enthusiastic in carrying out daily activities. This is caused by a decrease in hormones and chemical changes in the brain.
However, consult your doctor immediately if you feel depressed for more than 2 weeks after giving birth. Especially if these feelings make it difficult for you to take care of the baby and carry out daily activities.
Patients with postpartum depression still need to have regular check-ups with the doctor, even though they don't feel any symptoms after treatment, because postpartum depression treatment can last up to several months.
Causes of Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression is not caused by one factor alone. Usually this condition is caused by a combination of physical and emotional factors.
After giving birth, the levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone in the mother's body will drop dramatically. This causes chemical changes in the brain that trigger mood swings.
In addition, babysitting activities can prevent mothers from getting enough rest to recover after giving birth. Lack of rest can lead to exhaustion, both physically and emotionally, and ultimately trigger postpartum depression.
Not only that, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk of experiencing postpartum depression, including:
- Have suffered from depression before or during
- Suffering from bipolar disorder.
- There are family members who suffer from depression.
- Abusing NAPZA.
- Difficulty breastfeeding a child.
- Pregnant at a young age and having many children.
In addition, the risk of postpartum depression will also increase if the mother who has just given birth experiences a stressful event, for example, has just lost her job, has financial problems, is involved in conflict in the family, suffers from pregnancy complications, gives birth to twins, or the baby is born with an illness. certain.
Diagnosis of Postpartum Depression
The psychologist or psychiatrist will ask about the symptoms experienced by the patient, as well as conduct an in-depth interview about the patient's feelings and thoughts. This is done to check the patient's mental condition, as well as to ensure that the patient has postpartum depression.
The doctor will also perform a physical examination to determine the symptoms of postpartum depression, for example to see panda eyes as an indication that the patient is having trouble sleeping or look for scars as a sign that the patient is hurting himself. Physical examination also aims to look for signs of other diseases.
Next, the psychiatrist or psychologist will ask the sufferer to undergo postpartum depression screening. When undergoing screening, patients will be asked to answer a questionnaire. The questions given relate to the symptoms experienced by the patient and the changes in him.
In addition to screening for postpartum depression, doctors can perform additional tests if postpartum depression is suspected to be caused by another disease. For example, the doctor will perform blood tests to determine if the patient's symptoms are caused by an underactive thyroid gland.
Postpartum Depression Treatment
Postpartum depression sufferers need to get treatment, but the duration of treatment for each patient can be different. In general, treatment can be done with psychotherapy and medication, as well as support from the family.
Psychotherapy is done so that patients can talk about what they feel or think, as well as to help sufferers solve the problems they face. Sometimes, psychotherapy is also done by involving a partner or other family members to help solve the problems experienced by the sufferer.
In addition, psychologists and psychiatrists can educate sufferers and their families about emotional conditions, and ask sufferers to participate in emotional support groups. If needed, doctors can also prescribe anti-anxiety drugs and antidepressants for sufferers.
Complications of Postpartum Depression
Complications due to postpartum depression can be experienced by fathers, mothers, and children. These complications can cause problems in the family.
Complications of pthere is mother
Postpartum depression that is not treated and lasts for a long time can develop into chronic depressive disorder. This condition can increase the risk of developing major depression later in life.
Complications of pthere is a child
Children of mothers with postpartum depression are more at risk of developing behavioral disorders and emotional problems. As a result, the child does not want to eat, cries continuously, and his speech is hampered.
Complications pthere is a father
When mothers experience depression, fathers also have a high probability of experiencing postpartum depression.
Prevention of Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression cannot be prevented, but it can be detected early. With regular postpartum control, doctors can monitor the mother's condition, especially if the mother has previously suffered from depression or postpartum depression.
If necessary, the doctor can ask the mother to undergo counseling and even take antidepressant drugs to prevent postpartum depression, both during pregnancy and after giving birth.
No less important, mothers need to establish good communication, solve problems, or make peace with partners, family, and friends if they have problems.