The birth of a baby can trigger a family from excitement and joy to fear, anxiety, depression and even more negative emotions such as depression or postpartum depression. Many people think that the name postpartum depression starts after birth. They can’t eat properly due to depression. As a result, their appetite increases. This is why postpartum appetite loss is desperate. In fact, postpartum depression can cause symptoms that usually develop within the first few weeks after giving birth, but can begin during pregnancy or even a year after birth.
Postpartum appetite loss|How long does postpartum depression last?
After giving birth, most new mothers experience the postpartum “baby blues,” such as sudden rapid mood swings, crying, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. “Baby blue” symptoms usually begin within the first two to three days after delivery and can last up to two weeks.
However, in some cases, new mothers develop severe, chronic depression, known as Postpartum Depression. Rarely, an extreme mood disorder called postpartum psychosis can also develop after childbirth.
Many people think that postpartum depression is a weakness of a woman or many people think that she is possessed by a genie or a fairy. But it is not like that at all. It is a psychological problem. If the mother has postpartum depression, seek immediate treatment that helps bond with mother and baby.
Maximum people confuse or mistake baby blues symptoms for postpartum depression. But the symptoms of postpartum depression are more severe and long-lasting, which makes it difficult for the new mother to take care of herself and the baby and manage other daily activities.
Baby blues symptoms:
Baby blues symptoms last for just a few days or a week or two after the baby is born. Such as mood swings, anxiety, sadness, irritability, crying, attention problems, appetite problems, sleep problems.
Symptoms of postpartum depression:
1. Depression, severe mood swings.
2. Excessive crying
3. The mother has difficulty in forming a friendly relationship with the child.
4. Withdrawal from family and friends.
5. Loss of appetite or eating more than usual,
6. Trouble sleeping (insomnia) or sleeping too much.
7. Fatigue or loss of energy.
8. The new mother has decreased interest and pleasure in activities she previously enjoyed.
9. Intense irritability and anger and irritability.
10. The new mother fears or thinks she is not a good mother.
11. Feelings of hopelessness, inadequacy, shame, guilt arise in the mother.
12. Decreased ability to think clearly, concentrates, or makes decisions.
13. Restlessness, severe anxiety and anxiety or panic attack problems occur.
14. Thoughts of hurting yourself or harming the child act.
15. Repeated thoughts of death or suicide act.
Symptoms of postpartum psychosis:
It’s a rare condition that usually develops within the first week after delivery.
1. Confusion and disorientation problems. Can’t understand where he is.
2. Obsessive thoughts about the child. Like this baby is not hers, can’t stand the baby, many times think it is the devil’s baby etc.
3. Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real) and delusion (strange thoughts or beliefs that are unlikely to be true)
4. Excessive energy and movement – talking and thinking too much or too quickly.
5. Paranoid or overly suspicious tendencies. For example, someone will kill the child; harm him or people in the family suspect the husband.
Postpartum psychosis is life-threatening and requires immediate treatment.
Postpartum depression in fathers:
A common misconception is that postpartum depression is not only for new mothers or fathers. But postpartum depression is also seen among new fathers. Fathers may also experience sadness or fatigue, anxiety, and changes in their normal eating, drinking, and sleeping patterns—postpartum depression occurs in both mothers and fathers.
Fathers who are young, have a history of depression, have experienced relationship problems, or are struggling financially are most at risk for postpartum depression. Postpartum depression in fathers is called paternal postpartum depression and has the same negative impact on relationships and child development as postpartum depression in mothers. In that case, the father should also take psychiatric treatment.
When to see a doctor, psychologist, and psychiatrist:
If the above-mentioned symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks after birth, or psychosis symptoms appear, the mother tries or thinks of harming herself and the child, or has thoughts of suicide, and then she should see a doctor, psychologist, psychiatrist without delay.
Reasons of postpartum depression :
Postpartum depression has no single cause, but physical and emotional problems play a role.
Physiological changes: After delivery, the body undergoes rapid changes in hormones (estrogen and progesterone) resulting in other hormones produced by the thyroid gland can decrease too quickly – leading to tiredness, malaise and depression.
Emotional problems: When sleep problems occur, even minor problems can be difficult to manage. Perhaps he/she worry about caring for the newborn. You may feel less attractive, struggle with your sense of identity, or feel that you have lost control of your life. Any of these problems can contribute to postpartum depression.
Psychosocial factors: If the mother has previous depression, bipolar mood disorder, family history of mental illness, high stress during pregnancy, health problems of the child, colic or twin babies, problems in breastfeeding, relationship problems between husband and wife, It can be due to lack of family support, financial problems, unplanned pregnancy, unplanned or unwanted pregnancy, complications during childbirth etc.
Treatment of postpartum depression:
1. Medicine: Must be taken under the advice of a doctor or psychiatrist.
2. Psychotherapy: Definitely get psychotherapy by seeing a good clinical psychologist or a good professional psychologist.
Some general things should be followed:
1. Get as much rest as you can.
2. Get help from family and friends.
3. Connect with other new moms.
4. Make time to take care of yourself.
5. Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs, which can worsen mood.
Are you worried about postpartum appetite loss?
All those mothers who are thinking of the postpartum appetite loss can follow the above points. If you do not find a solution, then consult a specialist.
Summary
Untreated, postpartum depression can cause problems in mother-child-father bonding and family problems. So we should take it seriously.
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