The recent case of Lindsay Clancy, a Massachusetts (Duxbury) mother who is charged with killing her three children, has shed light on postpartum psychosis, a rarely discussed mental health condition that affects some women after childbirth. The incident has sparked a nationwide discussion about postpartum mental health and the need for increased awareness and support for new mothers.
Flowers and stuffed animals as a makeshift memorial outside the Clancy family’s Duxbury home.
via Boston Globe via Getty Images
Postpartum psychosis is a rare but serious mental illness that can occur after childbirth. Symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, and erratic behavior. While it affects only about 1 to 2 out of every 1,000 new mothers, it can have devastating consequences if left untreated.
According to experts, postpartum psychosis can be difficult to diagnose and treat because the symptoms can be mistaken for those of postpartum depression or anxiety. The condition can also develop quickly, sometimes within just a few days of giving birth.
The tragedy in Duxbury has led to calls for greater awareness about postpartum psychosis and the need for better screening and treatment options for new mothers. Many advocates argue that more needs to be done to address the issue, including increased funding for research and support services, as well as better education for healthcare providers and new mothers themselves.
In the wake of the tragedy in Duxbury, many are calling for a greater focus on maternal mental health and the need for better support and resources for new mothers. While postpartum psychosis is a rare condition, it highlights the importance of taking postpartum mental health seriously and working to ensure that new mothers have access to the help they need.
Depression During and After Pregnancy
No matter how special it is to have a baby in one’s life, the entire process of having a child is very stressful, both mentally and physically. The hunch of new, massive responsibilities and the continuous physical straining often push the couples to the edge. Especially, in the case of women, the chances of depression increase since they have to go through a great deal of biological, hormonal, and mental changes.
It is estimated that about 7% of pregnant women experience symptoms of depression, which can range from mild to severe. Pregnancy can be a time of intense physical, emotional, and hormonal changes, and these changes can trigger symptoms of depression in some women. Read more here → Antenatal or Prenatal Depression: How to Deal with Depression in Pregnancy.
During pregnancy, hormone changes in women can affect brain chemicals and cause depression and anxiety, but as soon as they get their child they feel overwhelmed and their exhaustion takes the backseat. However, with some women, the problem may get severe and long-lasting. This is when they have to check for the symptoms and seek medical attention. Let us now take a close look at the symptoms of postpartum depression which help to diagnose it.
Depression after pregnancy
Postpartum depression (PPD) – also called postnatal depression – is a type of depression said to be caused by emotional, physical, and lifestyle factors that may usually emerge within the few weeks or months that follow childbirth. Postpartum depression can not only affect seriously any woman – independently of her age – after stillbirth or miscarriage but also men – less frequently.
Postpartum depression is believed to be associated with the huge changes in hormone levels occurring during and shortly after pregnancy. It is a fact that most women are especially vulnerable to depression – and particularly to postpartum depression – after the delivery, when both their hormonal and physical changes and their enhanced responsibilities for their baby can be so overwhelming.
The good news for all women with PPD is that postpartum depression can be treated either with counseling when the mother suffers ‘only’ from a milder type of postpartum depression, or with a combination of counseling and antidepressant medication if she suffers from more severe postpartum depression.
Categories in postpartum depression
After the delivery, mothers can experience three very distinct types of mood changes:
The “baby blues”
Baby blues are mood swings that a mother usually experiences within four to five days following the birth of her baby. She may have “swinging” moods, feel restless or moody, sad or happy, worthless, guilty, have no energy or motivation, cry constantly, be irritable, anxious, lose interest or pleasure in activities she previously enjoyed.
The baby blues can last from one or two hours to two weeks after childbirth and does not usually require any professional treatment.
Baby blues are normal for any new mother since it is primarily caused by the hormonal changes that take place following birth and if they do not last long, there is probably nothing to worry about. The symptoms generally will fade out as the hormones level out. Little extra care and support from loved ones with plenty of rest, is all that is required to treat baby blues.
On the contrary, if they continue for more than three weeks, or lead to severe problems such as suicidal views or failure in taking care of your newborn, then medical assistance for postpartum depression should be taken.
Symptoms indicating the severe extent of baby blues:
- Daily complaints of fatigue
- Concern or over-caring for the baby
- Lack of confidence in offering motherhood responsibilities
- Extreme mood swings
Postpartum depression
Postpartum depression (PPD) is an illness that a mother can experience at any time between a few days or months after the delivery of any baby. Her moods and feelings are very similar to those of the "baby blues" but they are experienced more intensively. Symptoms of PPD leave an adverse effect on a mother’s health. Very often, the mother is incapable of assuming her daily duties and her postpartum depression must be treated professionally before the symptoms worsen.
Symptoms of PPD may include:
- A depressed state of mind
- Diminishing interest in routine life
- Sleeplessness
- Difficulty in focusing or concentrating
- Instant loss or gain of weight
- Fatigue
- Feelings of irrelevance
- Thoughts of attempting suicide
The symptoms of Postpartum Anxiety and Panic
Another set of symptoms that women suffering from postpartum depression exhibit are extreme levels of anxiety, panic attacks, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Although most women find it easy to deal with postpartum anxiety, many feel helpless and enter the vicious circle of obsessive-compulsive disorder and panic attacks. Dissimilar to baby blues, symptoms of postpartum anxiety and panic may last for much longer than 2 weeks.
The symptoms in more detail:
Anxiety disorder: During this stage, mothers tend to feel worn out, tired, and squeamish. They face trouble sleeping and concentrating.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder: This is a stage where the patient starts performing repetitive actions or displays repetitive behavior or thoughts causing anxiety and strain.
Panic attacks: Symptoms of perspiration, nausea, shivering dizziness are experienced. Numbness in limbs and breathlessness may also be observed.
It is important to mention here that symptoms of long-lasting postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety and panic do not dissolve on their own. The conditions need medical assistance along with proper love, care, and support from friends and family.
Postpartum psychotic depression
Postpartum psychosis is a more serious but rarer illness that a mother can develop within the first two months after the delivery. On average, it has been seen in one case out of a thousand postpartum mood disorders. The problem may show intense symptoms that can be health deteriorating and highly disturbing. These most common symptoms include:- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Continuously growing problem of disorganized speech
- Improper behavior
Generally, these symptoms last from a day to a few weeks. The patient’s health starts going worse at both mental as well physical levels. If not treated in time, the symptoms may further proceed to agitation and restlessness. If family or friends notice such symptoms in a mother, then immediate help from the doctor should be taken. The doctor will then check the patient for postpartum psychosis. Treatments for such severe conditions are available and known for their high success rate.
What is postpartum depression (postnatal depression)?
Postpartum depression is defined in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition) as a major depressive episode that occurs in the period following the birth of a child. The symptoms of postpartum depression must cause significant distress and impairment in functioning, last for at least two weeks, and must not be better accounted for by Schizophrenia, Schizophreniform Disorder, Delusional Disorder, Psychotic Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, Bipolar Disorder, Cyclothymic Disorder, Substance-Induced Psychotic Disorder, Substance-Induced Mood Disorder, Bereavement, or an Adjustment Disorder with depressed mood.
Symptoms of postpartum depression in detail
When comparing the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression and baby blues, one could get the impression that they are very similar. However, the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression are significantly more intense and they usually last for a longer period of time. Postpartum depression symptoms can sometimes become so severe that they finally do not allow the mothers to care properly for their babies and assume their daily tasks.
Women who suffer from postpartum depression usually experience a number of the following signs and symptoms (These are possible symptoms):
- They experience uncontrollable weeping at times and severe mood swings, that is, their mood improves when something good happens to them and worsen when something bad happens. In other words, their emotional state alternates between euphoria and depression.
- They experience extreme difficulty bonding with their baby and do not seem to miss that so important physical and emotional emotion between mother and baby.
- Their sleeping habits changes: they may be wanting to sleep all the time, or suffer from insomnia almost every day – they do not sleep enough; they are generally sleepy, tired, and irritable during the day, and have problems with their memory.
- Almost every day they find it difficult to concentrate on tasks that they could handle easily previously. They also can hardly remember details and take decisions.
- They constantly feel hopeless, helpless, and particularly worthless to the people around them and they regularly develop a pessimistic attitude. They are also convinced that their situation can worsen and that nothing can be done to change that trend.
- They mostly ‘generate’ negative thoughts, always feel guilty when something does not work properly and are no longer in a position to control them – no matter how much time and effort they put into these actions.
- They do not show interest and pleasure any more in daily activities that they used to enjoy, such as hobbies, sex, pastimes, meeting friends, etc.
- Most of the time they feel awfully tired and physically drained. Performing any little work or small tasks is now exhausting and a burden for them.
- They claim serious difficulties in maintaining their relationships due to their excessive sensitivity to any kind of criticism. This extreme sensitivity also influences negatively their social life.
- Their appetite decreases significantly – apparently without any reason – although they are aware that it is unhealthy and that it may cause them further serious problems.
- Almost every day they feel restless, moody, or cry without any apparent reason.
- They feel either so physically restless or rundown nearly every day that people around them can notice it.
- Their main thoughts focus on the idea that their life is not worth living and they develop almost every day recurring thoughts of harming themselves or their baby.
Read more here on → Postpartum Depression: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment
Symptoms of Postpartum Psychosis in detail
The depression symptoms of postpartum psychosis are more severe and rarer than those of postpartum depression.
Women who suffer from postpartum psychosis usually experience a number of the following signs and symptoms (These are possible symptoms):
- They experience hallucinations and delusions, that is, they experience a so-called break from reality and see things or hear voices that are not there. These false beliefs in irrational things are very meaningful to them.
- They are mostly confused and disorientated. In other words, their mental state is disturbed and they exhibit an impaired orientation with respect to time, place, or person.
- They develop so-called “manic behaviors”, such as sweeping the floor in the middle of the night or while you are having guests.
- They very often develop paranoia and suspiciousness. They have unreasonable and fixed ideas that they are extremely important or that the people around them are being unfair or unfriendly to them.
- Some may develop recurring thoughts or plans to harm themselves or their baby; others do not react that way.
- They may also have rapid mood swings, show intense irritation or hyperactivity.
Women who are experiencing symptoms of postpartum psychosis, and the people around them, must realize the severity of their depression and the absolute necessity to take quick actions to have it treated professionally. Postpartum psychosis usually worsens very quickly and may easily lead to life-threatening decisions.
Prevalence of postpartum depression
Postpartum depression affects approximately 10–15% of adult mothers yearly. [ Ref. PubMed ]
About one in ten women who have experienced the baby blues or felt down in the dumps for usually a few days are likely to develop the more severe and long-lasting postpartum depression. Both mothers and babies suffer from the consequences of it.
Of those women who have experienced the more severe and long-lasting postpartum depression, approximately one in one thousand is likely to develop the most serious postpartum condition called postpartum psychosis.
Mothers, who have already experienced postpartum depression following a previous pregnancy, have an increased risk of about forty percent to suffer again from postpartum depression.
Prevalence of postpartum psychosis
Postpartum psychosis has an estimated global prevalence of 0.089 to 2.6 per 1000 births. [ Ref. PubMed ]
The onset of the postpartum psychosis illness is usually sudden – generally within the first four weeks following the delivery. Postpartum psychosis is a psychiatric emergency. Women suffering from postpartum psychosis should therefore seek help as quickly as possible.
Of the mothers suffering from postpartum psychosis, about five percent commit infanticide or suicide that can be associated with postpartum psychosis illness. This is not surprising as a mother who experiences the severe symptoms of postpartum psychosis, that is, hallucinations, delusions, confusion, disorientation, etc. can hardly react and behave normally; she believes firmly in what she experiences under the influence of her postpartum psychosis and behaves accordingly, without developing any kind of guilt.
Despite the extreme severity of its symptoms, postpartum psychosis can be treated by professionals. It is a so-called “temporary” illness that must be treated immediately as soon as it is diagnosed or noticed. However, despite its prevalence, it is still a little-known condition, and many women do not receive the treatment they need to recover.
Risk factors for developing postpartum depression
The most significant risk factors for developing postpartum depression are:
- Women who experience a history of bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness or manic disorder, during their pregnancy —
- Mothers who are still very young at the time of their pregnancy —
- In families with many children, the mothers —
- Women with a history of depression or suffering from the severe depression symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder —
- Mothers with little or very limited support from the people around them, like husbands, parents, partners, etc. —
- Mothers who live or have to live alone, or have regular conflicts with their husbands or partner —
- Women who show ambivalence about the maternal role —
have increased risks of developing postpartum depression symptoms.
Risk factors for developing postpartum psychosis
The most significant risk factors for developing severe postpartum psychosis illness are:
- Having a personal history of bipolar disorder, also known as bipolar affective disorder, manic-depressive disorder, or manic depression.
- Having a family history of bipolar disorder.
- Having a previous psychotic episode.
How is postpartum depression treated?
Postpartum depression can be treated in different ways. The severity of the mother’s symptoms of postpartum depression, as well as her individual needs, are considered to select the optimal treatment. The available options for the treatment of postpartum include antidepressant medications, psychotherapy, or hormone therapy. However, postpartum depression is mostly treated with counseling and medication, or a combination of both.
Counseling
Counseling or talk therapy involves a mother discussing her problems with a psychologist, psychiatrist, or mental health professional to find more appropriate ways to solve the problems caused by her postpartum depression and to formulate realistic and achievable goals.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are nowadays a proven treatment for combating postpartum depression symptoms. When a mother is breastfeeding, she should talk to her doctor so that he or she can prescribe some antidepressants with a minimum risk of side effects for the baby.
Hormone therapy
Estrogen replacement may make it easier to reduce the symptoms of postpartum depression in some mothers. The potential risks and benefits associated with hormone therapy are however to be weighed with your doctor or therapist.
Treated genuinely, postpartum depression usually disappears within a few months. For some mothers, however, postpartum depression lasts much longer and it is extremely vital for them not to interrupt the prescribed or agreed-upon treatment as soon as they start to feel better. Any sudden interruption of the treatment may easily provoke a relapse.
Read more here on → PPD: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment
Hospitalization
Hospitalization for postpartum depression may be necessary in some cases if the individual experiences severe symptoms that impair their ability to function or pose a risk to their own safety or the safety of others.
Hospitalization may also be recommended if the individual is unable to participate in outpatient treatment or if medication adjustments are needed.
The decision to hospitalize a person with postpartum depression is made on a case-by-case basis and is based on a comprehensive assessment of the individual's symptoms, functional status, and treatment history.
How is postpartum psychosis treated?
Postpartum psychosis is a most serious illness that requires urgent treatment. The hospital is mostly the best-indicated option to treat postpartum psychosis.
As soon as the mother’s safety is assured, different medications or a combination of them — such as antidepressants, antipsychotic medications, and mood stabilizers – may be used to better keep her signs and symptoms of postpartum psychosis under control.
Electroconvulsive therapy – also called ECT – may sometimes, in special cases, be recommended and used. When the other treatments have not brought the expected results or when immediate results are wanted, electroconvulsive therapy is the answer to combat and eventually reduce postpartum psychosis symptoms.
Hospitalization is often necessary for individuals experiencing postpartum psychosis as it is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition. Symptoms of postpartum psychosis, like delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and erratic behavior, can pose a significant risk to the individual and those around them, making inpatient treatment and close monitoring essential.
Hospitalization may also be necessary to ensure that the individual receives appropriate medical and psychiatric care, as well as to allow for the initiation or adjustment of medications.
The decision to hospitalize someone with postpartum psychosis should be made in consultation with a mental health professional.
When to seek help for your “baby blues”?
Mothers should not feel embarrassed to seek help early when they feel depressed after the baby’s birth. When they realize that the “baby blues” linger for more than a week or two, they should check with their doctor – without delay – if postpartum depression / postnatal depression can be the reason for their emotional lows.
When to seek help for your postpartum depression?
It is a fact that any untreated postpartum depression / postnatal depression can worsen rapidly and be dangerous for both mother and baby. Seeking professional help should therefore be initiated at an early stage. You, as a cautious mom, should keep in mind the following recommendations (if you notice any of them, do not hesitate a second and have your doctor check immediately that you are not developing postpartum depression):
- If your depression symptoms last for more than two weeks
- If your symptoms worsen
- If you notice – or the people around you remark – that you are no longer able to perform or work as usual
- If everything you used to do becomes a burden and you must admit that you cannot cope anymore with your daily tasks, including caring for your baby
- If you start developing thoughts or plans to harm yourself or your baby
- If you feel extremely anxious or sad or start panicking at any moment
- If you experience continuously sudden mood swings
- If you get confused and/or disoriented, or develop paranoia
When to seek help for your postpartum psychosis?
Do not hesitate a second and seek immediate professional help:- If you experience hallucinations and delusions, that is, if you experience a so-called break from reality and see things or hear voices that do not exist or are not there
- If you are mostly confused and disorientated, that is, if your mental state is disturbed, and if you exhibit impaired orientation with respect to time, place, or person
- If you develop so-called “manic behaviors”, such as sweeping the floor in the middle of the night or while you are having guests at home
- If you often develop paranoia and suspiciousness, that is, if you have unreasonable and fixed ideas that you are extremely important or that the people around you are being unfair or unfriendly to you
- If you develop recurring thoughts or plans to harm yourself or your baby
- If you also have rapid mood swings, show intense irritation or hyperactivity
If you believe that one or more of the above-listed points respond to the way you feel or act presently or if you suspect that you might develop postpartum psychosis, do not wait in a hope for an improvement to occur. Postpartum psychosis is a serious illness that can worsen very rapidly and lead anyone to develop life-threatening thoughts and behaviors.
Remember: An untreated postpartum psychosis may make you take actions you would never consider if you were well; you could harm yourself or your baby or even do worse.
Possible complications associated with PPD
Postpartum depression is a serious illness. If left untreated, postpartum depression will most likely influence very negatively the so important bond between mother and child, and be the reason for many other family problems.
Both the babies and children of mothers who have not had their postpartum depression treated professionally stay at risk of suffering from behavioral problems; they would usually experience difficulties with eating and sleeping and develop temper tantrums and hyperactivity. They also generally start speaking later than other babies their age.
When postpartum depression is not treated professionally, the symptoms of depression can easily last for a long period of time, for months or even years, and can eventually generate a chronic depressive disorder. Additionally – even when postpartum depression is treated professionally – it still seriously increases the mother’s risk of developing future episodes of major depression.
Some mothers who suffer from a very severe type of postpartum depression may even develop plans or thoughts to harm themselves or their baby. Such behaviors require immediate professional treatment and may be a strong indication of postpartum psychosis, a much more serious and dangerous condition that can be mixed up with the symptoms of postpartum depression.
Your appointment with a professional for PPD
Taking the decision to seek help for your symptoms of postpartum depression and making a first appointment with your primary care doctor is most probably the most important step you can make in this connection to improve your condition. Postpartum depression is a serious medical condition and is nothing you should be ashamed of. Postpartum depression is a fairly common illness that requires urgent treatment.
Your doctor will most probably refer you to a specialist, a mental health provider, who will diagnose you and work out an appropriate treatment plan for your specific postpartum depression symptoms.
It is always a good idea to get prepared for your appointment and to bring along with you your “My Postpartum Depression Diary” in which you have written down – as detailed as possible – when and under which circumstances both physical and psychological symptoms have occurred, how you have tried to deal with them, and what results you have obtained.
Do not forget to tell your doctor if you have suffered in the past from any kind of depression or mental health disorder, and if they have been diagnosed and treated.
It is also recommended to make a checklist of all of your key personal information, possible stresses, and important recent changes in your life and to describe shortly how badly and when your “ postpartum depression symptoms” have affected you.
To complete the picture, you can work out a list of all your medications, inclusive dosages and directions, and ask a trusted family member or friend to accompany you to your appointment, and help you remember all information you will receive to cope and treat your social anxiety disorder.
Tests and diagnosis
Seeking treatment for your postpartum depression symptoms, you have finally made an appointment with a recommended healthcare provider. He or she will make you pass a thorough physical exam to find out if your postpartum depression symptoms are possibly triggered by any physical causes.
As laboratory tests to diagnose postpartum depression do not exist yet, you will be asked by your doctor or mental health provider to describe your “postpartum depression” symptoms as accurately as possible, i.e. in what precise situation or environment they occur and also how often. Your doctor or mental health provider will also let you answer a lot of questions to find out about your present psychological state to allow determine a correct diagnosis.
Your doctor will most probably also perform blood tests to find out if an underactive thyroid is contributing to your signs and symptoms of depression.
Treatments
Both the time necessary to carry out the chosen treatment and to recover will depend on the severity level of the mother’s depression and her particular needs.
Treatment of “baby blues”
A professional treatment is usually not required for baby blues as they usually disappear within a few days after childbirth and rarely last for more than two weeks. During their baby blues, mothers are recommended to accept any help offered by friends and family members and to get in touch with other “new” mothers.
Of course, they should avoid consuming any alcohol to avoid their mood swings to worsen. Should a “new” mother suffer from an underactive thyroid, she should see her doctor to have adequate thyroid medication prescribed.
Treatment of postpartum depression
Postpartum depression is usually medically treated with a combination of counseling and antidepressant medication. When a mother is lucky enough to suffer ‘only’ from a milder type of postpartum depression, she may be treated effectively with counseling. In most cases, however, women with postpartum depression require both counseling and medications. The good news: with the right treatment, you can get better, but it may take time.
Counseling to treat PPD
Professional counseling is an effective method to treat postpartum depression and can be provided by psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, or licensed professional counselors. This treatment method usually helps you cope better with your situation, that is, with your postpartum depression, and solve existing problems. Involving husband, partner, or family members in therapy is a good idea that helps you get along with your condition.
Antidepressants to treat PPD
Antidepressants are commonly used to effectively manage the symptoms of postpartum depression. In most cases, they are used in combination with professional counseling and support. Breastfeeding mothers should ask their doctor to prescribe antidepressants with the minimum risk of side effects for their baby, to combat their postpartum depression. Anyway, the potential risks and benefits of using antidepressants are always to be evaluated carefully together with their doctors.
Hormone therapy to treat PPD
Hormone therapy is another method used to ease coping with postpartum depression symptoms in some women. Here too, the potential risks and benefits of using hormone therapy are always to be evaluated carefully together with their doctors.
When postpartum depression is treated genuinely by a professional, the symptoms of depression usually disappear within a few months. These symptoms of postpartum depression may however last for a much longer period of time in some mothers. In these cases, the mothers who still experience the symptoms of postpartum depression should not interrupt or stop the treatment until they, together with their doctors, have worked out a plan to reduce gradually the treatment to avoid a depression relapse.
Treatment of postpartum psychosis
Postpartum psychosis is a most serious and dangerous illness that requires urgent treatment. The hospital is mostly the best-indicated option to treat postpartum psychosis.
As soon as the mother’s safety is assured, different medications or a combination of them – such as antidepressants, antipsychotic medications, and mood stabilizers – are generally used to better keep the mother’s signs and symptoms of postpartum psychosis under medical control. Electroconvulsive therapy – also called ECT – may sometimes, in special cases, be recommended and used.
When the other treatments have not brought the expected results or when immediate results are wanted, electroconvulsive therapy is the answer to combat and eventually reduce postpartum psychosis symptoms.
When a mother is treated for postpartum depression, she may become incapable of beast-feeding her baby for two reasons: she is separated from her baby and the medications she has to take may be negative for the baby.
Lifestyle and home remedies to combat PPD
Postpartum depression is a serious medical condition – not a sign of weakness – and not an illness that is treated effectively without professional assistance. Besides the treatment recommended by your doctor, you can take advantage of a few home remedies to enhance your combat against your postpartum depression. Here are a few recommendations:
Getting active
Being physically active and doing regularly some exercises is not only good for your health in general, but may support and reduce significantly the symptoms of your postpartum depression. Most important is that you like and enjoy your exercises and/or new activities, such as walking, swimming, etc. While you are exercising, your body releases endorphins – the so-called ‘happy’ chemicals, and also increases your self-esteem.
Avoiding alcohol and caffeine
Do your very best to avoid consuming alcohol, caffeine, and all kinds of drugs. At first sight, you might believe that they help reduce your depression-related symptoms, but exactly the contrary happens; these drugs can worsen and intensify your symptoms of postpartum depression.
Sticking to a balanced diet
Sticking to a healthy postpartum depression diet plan is very important for a baby’s mother. Do not indulge in junk food and do not skip meals, and eat foods that are low in fat, and fruits and vegetables every day. A healthy postpartum depression diet plan can decrease the occurrence of postpartum depression in women who maintained a healthy diet.
Setting realistic expectations
Do not try to run your household the same way you did before your pregnancy. Nobody expects you to do everything alone. Simply ask for help when necessary and accept offered help. Some of the people around you will surely be happy to help or support you.
Getting sunlight
Enjoy the sunlight and try to get as much sunlight as you can. Enjoy nature, and fresh air and go outside; this will improve your mood.
Taking time for yourself
Do not overdo it, stop in time, get a rest or visit a friend. Do not let fatigue increase the symptoms of your postpartum depression.
Keeping positive thoughts
Do your very best to always think positively when facing unpleasant or negative situations. Even when you definitely know that nothing can be changed, take it easy and behave accordingly.
Avoiding isolation
Talk to the people around you and explain to them how you are feeling. Inquire about other mothers in your situation and about their experience combating postpartum depression. Arrange regular meetings with them or call them regularly. Isolation can worsen your postpartum depression. Your doctor may also inform you about support groups in your area.
Read more here on → Natural Treatment and Remedies for Postpartum Depression
How to cope with postpartum depression
Postpartum depression can not only affect seriously a mother, but also all people living close to a new baby, especially family members, grandparents, etc. When the mother of a newborn child suffers from postpartum depression, the baby’s father is also at increased risk of being affected.
Read also: Postpartum Depression in Men Is Very Real
The period of time that follows a baby's birth is already very stressful for everybody, but can easily grow into an exhausting one when the mother suffers from depression or from postpartum depression. If you experience huge difficulties coping with postpartum depression, see a therapist. He/she will confirm that depression (and postpartum depression) is a serious condition, but that it is treatable.
Complimentary to the treatments arranged by your doctor and/or therapist, the following tips may enhance your situation when bringing home a newborn:
Do not complicate your life
Make your daily life as simple and easy as possible, install priorities, and cut back on obligations wherever feasible. Take it easy. Not everything must be done immediately. Do not get nervous; there is a time for everything.
Keep a diary
Keep your “My Postpartum Depression Diary” up to date. Write down – as detailed as possible – how, how long, and when you experienced your pain, fear, anger, emotions, etc. Your “My Postpartum Depression Diary” will be of great help to you and your doctor or therapist to control the development of the disorder.
Read self-help books
You can ask your doctor or therapist to recommend you appropriate self-help books. Read them attentively and discuss relevant aspects with your doctor or therapist during the next sessions. The more informed you are about your postpartum the better you can cope with it.
Keep positive thoughts
Do your very best to always think positively when facing unpleasant or negative situations. Even when you definitely know that nothing can be changed, take it easy and behave accordingly.
Set realistic expectations
Do not try to run your household the same way you did before your pregnancy. Nobody expects you to do everything alone. Simply ask for help when necessary and accept offered help. Some of the people around you will surely be happy to help or support you.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine
Do your very best to avoid consuming alcohol and all kinds of drugs. At first sight, you might believe that they help reduce your depression-related symptoms, but exactly the contrary happens; these drugs can worsen and intensify your symptoms of postpartum depression.
Take time for yourself
Do not overdo it, stop in time, get a rest or visit a friend. Do not let fatigue increase the symptoms of your postpartum depression. Tell the people around you how they can help you with your daily tasks.
Do not ‘feed’ your isolation
People suffering from postpartum depression should do everything imaginable not to become isolated one day. It is, therefore, a good idea for them to try taking part in different activities and to meet regularly with friends or family members.
Do not let you go
Take care of yourself. Care for a balanced diet. Good nutrition is very important and reinforces your resistance to postpartum depression.
Being physically active and doing some exercises is not only good for your health in general, but may also support and reduce significantly the symptoms of your postpartum depression.
Make sure that you get sufficient sleep – this is extremely important not to trigger postpartum depression symptoms.
Join a support group
The support you may receive from friends and family members is no doubt invaluable in learning to cope with postpartum depression. For some people, it is much easier to receive help and support from strangers. In the US, pertaining education, support groups, counseling, etc. are offered by a variety of organizations, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), to help people suffering from postpartum depression.
Practice relaxation
Practicing regular relaxation techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing, yoga, tai chi, drinking hot tea, self-massage, etc. will help you drop your stress levels and indirectly fight your postpartum depression. Take a rest, a nap, or sleep when your baby sleeps.
Be active
Being physically active and doing regularly some exercises is not only good for your health in general, but may support and reduce significantly the symptoms of your postpartum depression. Most important is that you like and enjoy your exercises and/or new activities, such as walking, swimming, etc. While you are exercising, your body releases endorphins – the so-called ‘happy’ chemicals. Exercise also increases your self-esteem.
Schedule your activities
Take time to plan judiciously your daily activities. A good organization of your time and of your daily tasks is essential to avoid negative stress that could trigger your postpartum depression.
Read more here on → Natural Treatment and Remedies for Postpartum Depression
How to prevent postpartum depression
Basic measures to prevent postpartum depression in “normal” risk women
Effective measures to prevent women from getting postpartum depression do not exist yet. However, some measures can be taken to reduce their effects, such as:
- Getting as much help as possible from people around you
- Sleeping as much as you can and eating healthy food
- Avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and non-prescribed medicines
- Close monitoring for signs and symptoms of postpartum depression
Basic measures to prevent postpartum depression in high-risk women
If you have a history of depression, and especially a history of postpartum depression, inform your doctor at an early stage of your pregnancy so that he or she can monitor you for signs and symptoms of depression and take necessary measures.
If you have mild depression, your doctor may suggest different options: support groups, counseling, and/or other treatments.
If you have a stronger depression, he or she may suggest taking some antidepressants, even during pregnancy. In this case, do not stop taking the antidepressants so that a reduction of your high risk of postpartum depression is ensured.
Once your baby is born, it is recommended to do a check-up for possible signs and symptoms of postpartum depression as soon as possible, to allow early treatment. Should you have a history of postpartum depression, you will most probably have to start to take antidepressants directly after the delivery.
I honestly think this is a well written and comprehensive post, but a bit too long from a layman's point of view.
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