Postpartum Blues, Depression and Psychosis
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During the postpartal period, as many as 50% of women will experience some feelings of overwhelming sadness. This temporary feeling is normal and will subside within a few weeks.
Postpartum mood changes or disturbances are categorized into three categories: blues, depression, and psychosis. Baby blues are often seen in the week after delivery and these are considered normal. It is characterized by such symptoms as depressed mood, crying spells, irritability, anxiety, mood swings, and sleep and appetite disorders. It is not normal, however, if you feel like hurting your baby. If you have these thoughts or feelings, notify your pediatrician.
Postpartum depression refers to a non-psychotic depressive episode that begins or extends into the postpartum period. It is characterized by dysphoric mood, sleep, appetite disorders, fatigue, excessive guilt and suicidal thoughts. Additional symptoms include feelings of guilt, feelings of inadequacy about the new role of being a mother, and preoccupation with the infant’s well-being or safety severe enough to be considered obsessive.
Postpartum psychosis occurs in approximately 500-1000 births and usually begins at 48-72 hours after birth. Symptoms include: elation, mood swings, disorganized behavior, and confusion, as well as psychotic delusions and hallucinations. Formal counseling and psychiatric care should be sought for this level of depression.
Postpartum mood changes or disturbances are categorized into three categories: blues, depression, and psychosis. Baby blues are often seen in the week after delivery and these are considered normal. It is characterized by such symptoms as depressed mood, crying spells, irritability, anxiety, mood swings, and sleep and appetite disorders. It is not normal, however, if you feel like hurting your baby. If you have these thoughts or feelings, notify your pediatrician.
Postpartum depression refers to a non-psychotic depressive episode that begins or extends into the postpartum period. It is characterized by dysphoric mood, sleep, appetite disorders, fatigue, excessive guilt and suicidal thoughts. Additional symptoms include feelings of guilt, feelings of inadequacy about the new role of being a mother, and preoccupation with the infant’s well-being or safety severe enough to be considered obsessive.
Postpartum psychosis occurs in approximately 500-1000 births and usually begins at 48-72 hours after birth. Symptoms include: elation, mood swings, disorganized behavior, and confusion, as well as psychotic delusions and hallucinations. Formal counseling and psychiatric care should be sought for this level of depression.
Treatment
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Postpartum blues tend to face on their own within a few days to one or two weeks. Things that you can do
- Get a lot of rest
- Accept help from family and friends
- Connect with other moms
- Avoid alcohol
- Make healthy lifestyle choices. Include physical activity such as a walk. Eat healthy foods
- Set realistic expectations. Do what you can and leave the rest. Ask for help when you need it.
- Make time for yourself. Get dressed, leave the house, run an errand, visit a friend or take time to visit with your spouse.
- Respond positively. Changing the way that you think about and respond to a situation can help.
- Avoid isolation. Be open with family and friends about how you’re feelings. Ask other mothers about their experiences.
- Get a lot of rest
- Accept help from family and friends
- Connect with other moms
- Avoid alcohol
- Make healthy lifestyle choices. Include physical activity such as a walk. Eat healthy foods
- Set realistic expectations. Do what you can and leave the rest. Ask for help when you need it.
- Make time for yourself. Get dressed, leave the house, run an errand, visit a friend or take time to visit with your spouse.
- Respond positively. Changing the way that you think about and respond to a situation can help.
- Avoid isolation. Be open with family and friends about how you’re feelings. Ask other mothers about their experiences.
Postpartum depression is usually treated in one of three ways:
- Counseling. Speaking with a psychiatrist, or mental health professional can help you set realistic expectations, set goals, and solve problems.
- Antidepressants. If you’re breastfeeding, it is important to make sure that the medication will not enter the breast milk. Work with your doctor to decide which medication is best for you.
- Hormone therapy. Taking an estrogen replacement can help reduce the massive decrease in this hormone.
Postpartum psychosis requires immediate treatment:
- When your safety is assured, a combination of medications and mood stabilizers may help ease your symptoms.
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is recommended as well.
- Counseling. Speaking with a psychiatrist, or mental health professional can help you set realistic expectations, set goals, and solve problems.
- Antidepressants. If you’re breastfeeding, it is important to make sure that the medication will not enter the breast milk. Work with your doctor to decide which medication is best for you.
- Hormone therapy. Taking an estrogen replacement can help reduce the massive decrease in this hormone.
Postpartum psychosis requires immediate treatment:
- When your safety is assured, a combination of medications and mood stabilizers may help ease your symptoms.
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is recommended as well.
References
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/postpartum-depression/basics/treatment/con-20029130
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http://web.b.ebscohost.com.byui.idm.oclc.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=353b0021-a5a1-4307-a439-66e1ccfbbf58%40sessionmgr110&vid=4&hid=105
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/postpartum-depression/basics/treatment/con-20029130
http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/images/Postpartum-depression_web.gif
http://hapifamily.net/newsite/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/5504359_walkwithstroller.jpg
http://web.b.ebscohost.com.byui.idm.oclc.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=353b0021-a5a1-4307-a439-66e1ccfbbf58%40sessionmgr110&vid=4&hid=105