How many of you mom will have happened, immediately after giving birth or after months from the birth of your baby, to find you alone to cry and not want to speak? Some of you will have wondered if she was going through one Depression after childbirthhowever, without being able to recognize it.
According to western culture and beyond, neomamma must manifest feelings of well -being and gratitude, excluding all the other emotions that also characterize this important moment; Unfortunately in most cases, as can be seen from the people who have experienced the Post partum depression And from their testimonies, reality is not always this.
What is post-partum depression?
Post-partum depression is a form of unipolar reactive depression that typically manifests itself in the first weeks or months after childbirth.
In the DSM-5 Post partum depression is among the subtypes of major depression. Diagnosis can be supported by the use of screening screening tools for postpartum depression such as the Scale of edimburg (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, EPDS), a questionnaire widely used in socio-health services.
Should not be confused with the baby bluesa transitional phenomenon characterized by mood changes and frequent crying, which affects about 70-80% of new mothers and spontaneously resolves within two weeks of childbirth.
The symptoms of post-partum depression, on the other hand, are more intense and persistent. This condition may arise due to a mix of biological, psychological and environmental factors, including the drastic hormonal changes that take place in the puerperium and the emotional challenges related to the new maternal role.
Symptoms of post-partum depression
To recognize the symptoms of post -birth depression, it is possible to observe some specific signs, which must not only be present, but also to compromise an acceptable level of psychophysical well -being and the execution of habitual activities.
- sadness And frequenteven without an apparent reason
- sense of inadequacy o Inability to take care of the newborn
- chronic fatigue and lack of energy, despite resting
- Anxiety and irritability attacks, which can lead to difficulties in relationships with partners and family members
- recurring thoughts of guilt or inadequacyoften linked to the feeling of being “a bad mother”
- sleep disturbancesas insomnia or difficulty sleeping despite fatigue
- reduction of appetite or hyperphagia, with consequent weight variations
- anedonia and loss of interest for daily activities or that in the past were pleasant
- difficulty in concentrating and constant indecision
- Recurrent negative thoughts, including the desire to escape or, in the most serious cases, self -elevations
- drop in sexual desire (with difficulty in resuming relationships after childbirth).
To these are often added low self -esteem and feelings of shame, also linked to not feeling at the height of their new role as a mother.
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More severe forms of postpartum depression
In some cases, post-partum depression can evolve into more serious forms, such as puerperal psychosis. This rare but extremely serious disorder requires immediate and intensive treatment.
The symptoms that can present themselves in those suffering from post -birth psychosis are:
- hallucinations auditory or visual
- delusions: irrational or distorted beliefs, such as the belief of being an inadequate mother or of representing a danger for her child
- disorganized behaviors: difficulty in carrying out daily activities or taking care of the newborn
- self -elevative or heterolesive thoughtswhich can endanger itself and the child.
In its different forms, postpartum depression has consequences on the child who are the direct effect of the neglect or hypercuria of maternal behavior. In extreme cases, it can hesitate in the tragedy of infanticide.
Puerperal psychosis requires a multidisciplinary approach, which can include hospitalization in a specialist structure, specific pharmacological treatments and psychotherapeutic support.
The difference between baby blues and post-partum depression
It is important to distinguish the baby bluesalso known as maternity bluesfrom post-partum depression. The baby blues is a transitory condition that affects many neo-moammes in the first days after childbirth and manifests itself with mild symptoms such as irritability, tiredness and tendency to cry.
However, if the symptoms become persistent and interfere with the ability to take care of the child and themselves, it could be post-partum depression. In this case, it may be appropriate to request the intervention of a mental health professional.
Baby blues And postpartum depression: how long do they last?
How long does post -birth depression last? How much the baby blues? The symptoms of the “baby blues”, generallyappear in the days immediately following the birth e they can persist for 1-2 weeksgradually improving without the need to resort to specific therapies.
In post -birth depression the duration must instead be greater than 2 weeks. Report the symptoms of the maternity blues It is however important, because A possible evolution towards postpartum depression is not excluded.
As for postpartum depression, the symptoms are apparently very similar, but appear From the 6th week of life of the newborn or even later, over the time of one year from birth. In these cases we talk about Tardive post partum depression.
Causes of post-partum depression
Why does post -birth depression come?
The depressive episodes can be preceded and favored by stressful events and situations, which are experienced as serious and unsurpassed difficulties or losses or as failures.
The causes of post-partum depression are therefore multifactorial and include:
- biological factors: the collapse of the levels of estrogen and progesterone immediately after childbirth can affect the central nervous system, favoring the onset of the disorder
- genetic predisposition: a family story of depression or other mood disorders can increase the risk of developing depression in pregnancy and after childbirth
- psychological aspects: low self -esteem, guilt or perfectionism can amplify emotional difficulties.
- stressful events: the fear of childbirth and possible complications, lack of support or family tensions can be triggering factors. Even having immediately obstetric violence can be considered a risk factor.
Further causes may not have planned pregnancy, having had previous abortions, a preterm birth or a low sense of self -efficacy.
Post partum and depression: how to prevent it?
The period after childbirth is particularly demanding for the newamme. For this reason, it is important to prepare psychologically for pregnancy and know how to prevent postpartum depression. Here are some tips to better face the puerperium and prevent the risk factors of postpartum depression:
- Look for someone to talk to: the comparison with other mothers helps to understand that you are not alone and to see the situation from other perspectives
- delegate as much as possible: Involve other people in the child care (primarily the father) and cut out moments for you
- Take some time to be with your partner: before having a son you were a couple … keep being
- Reduce expectations towards domestic cleaning: Try to dedicate the free time that remains for pleasant activities.
Leave for post partum and work depression
Mothers who suffer from post-partum depression have the right to take advantage of protection tools provided for by law, such as maternity leave and disease leave.
The maternity leave It is the mandatory period of abstention from work that protects the health of the mother and child. For workers who show signs of post-partum depression, this period can be crucial to focus on their mental health and receive the necessary support.
In case of diagnosed post-partum depression, it is possible to request a Disease leave. This type of leave allows you to be absent from work to devote itself to therapeutic treatment and recovery. The attending physician must provide a certification attesting to the diagnosis.
Diagnosis and treatment of post-partum depression
An unwanted post partum depression it may not solve spontaneously and persist over the years, transforming itself into a persistent depressive disorder or distance.
The diagnosis of post-partum depression must be carried out by a qualified professional, who can make use of tools such as the EPDS test (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) to evaluate the severity of the symptoms.
This disorder, depending on gravity, can be treated in a multidisciplinary way.
There Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be effective for dealing with negative thoughts and developing strategies to cope with difficulties. In some cases, thepharmacological intervention With safe medicines during breastfeeding, always under strict medical supervision.
The social support It proved to be of fundamental importance. In fact, involving partners, friends and family can alleviate the emotional load of the new mother. At the same time, participate in support groups And sharing experiences with other mothers who have faced the same disorder can help feel less sun.
Post partum depression: what to do if I need help?
To heal from postpartum depression it is important to recognize the signals and face it in the right way. Once it is understood that it is not a question of maternity blues, but that the symptoms lose over time, We should ask for help as soon as possible.
Among the figures to contact, the general practitioner It can be one of the first people to ask for help to be addressed to the specialized professional most suitable for their needs; alternatively it is possible to get in touch directly with a psychologist, as one of the unabble online psychologists, who is also psychotherapist Specialized in Post Partum depression.
