Postpartum Depression usually affects women right after childbirth. It normally occurs in the first year after delivery. Frequent changes in your mood or the way you feel about everyday things are the affects of depression. It mostly effects women but can also be seen in men who are new fathers and even in couples who have adopted. Without proper counseling, the depression may last a long time.
Postpartum depression is common in people who:
- Are relatively younger parents.
- Have financial problems.
- Have mixed feelings about raising a child.
- Have almost no support from friends and family.
- Are part of a problematic relationship with their partner.
Symptoms of having postpartum depression:
- You feel you aren’t good enough: Every parent doubts whether he/she is doing the new parenting thing right. But this isn’t one of those things. You always feel like you cannot do it. You even wonder if it was the right choice to become a parent.
- You have no patience: Everything around you irritates or angers you. You cannot be patient to stop your baby from crying. You feel trapped.
- You have trouble sleeping: You cannot fall asleep no matter how much you try. Something always keeps you up even if the baby is sleeping.
- You can’t stop crying: You keep crying even when there is no real reason to cry. You feel emotionally drained. You feel hopeless and like a failure.
- You do not feel connected: You do not feel connected to your baby or to anyone else. It seems as though no one understands how you feel.
Help and treatment you need:
- Talk about your feelings to someone close. Do not hide away.
- Go for counseling or therapy sessions.
- Seek medical help to tackle depression.
- Exercise regularly to boost your mood.
- Take some quality time out for yourself.
- Engage in activities you enjoy or find relaxing.
Medicines and Talk therapy can have a major affect on the person’s depression. If the counseling does not help you it is better to consult a doctor and go about with the treatment which includes antidepressants and blood tests. Book an appointment here with our expert consultants to help tackle this issue.
