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Symptoms Of Postpartum Depression |
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You are a new mother who have just given birth to a
beautiful baby and everyone is overjoyed perhaps except you. In the
process of giving birth, it is normal for women to feel a little
overwhelmed and even a bit sad. The reason behind this common emotional
vulnerability is that the hormones in a woman’s body are agitated and
trying to find their place again after childbirth. These 'baby blues'
may last for up to two weeks and include irritability, insomnia,
anxiety, weepiness and moodiness. However, if these ‘blues’ don’t lift
even after two weeks, you may be experiencing postpartum depression.
Symptoms of postpartum depression include
Insomnia: The
inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, even when the baby is asleep,
is one of the key signs to postpartum depression.
Sadness and
weepiness that persists throughout the day
Feeling disinterested in
activities that you normally enjoy and even those you don’t are another
factor to consider in PPD.
Finding it difficult to concentrate.
Drastic
changes in appetite.
Irritability and moodiness or mood swings.
Feelings
of guilt to excess.
Anxiety or panic attacks.
Suicidal thoughts.
The
medical industry is constantly missing diagnosis of postpartum
depression in mothers. Between 10 and 20 per cent of mothers will
develop postpartum depression and many times it is ’sloughed off’ as
adjusting to being a new mother and feeling a little anxious about
having a new baby. In most cases, where these ’blues’ have lasted longer
than a couple of weeks, the mother is actually experiencing true
postpartum depression.
PPD can be mild to severe, from simply
feeling weepy and moody to having thoughts of suicide and/or harming the
baby. If you think you may be suffering from PPD, seek help immediately.
Be honest with yourself, your significant other and your healthcare
professional that you fear you may be suffering from postpartum
depression and clearly state the symptoms you have been having.
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