The number of women who have fallen victim to Postpartum Depression (PPD) varies from time to time due to its unpredictable nature. As Alhasanat and Fry-McComish explain, postpartum depression refers to some emotional, physical, and behavioral changes that occur in women immediately after giving birth. According to various sources, PPD is one of the major causes of depression in women, and it mostly occurs at around 4 weeks after delivery (2015). It is important for the victims to be diagnosed at an early stage so those appropriate intervention methods can be used to prevent a mother from suffering the effects of the condition. It is essential to hold an in-depth discussion on PPD, focusing on its main causes, symptoms, and the available treatment options.
Research has linked PPD with the psychological, social, and chemical changes that occur as a result of having a baby. The term Postpartum Depression is a broad description of all the physical and emotional changes that new mothers may experience due to childbirth. Despite the various effects that come with the condition, it is a reprieve to note that the condition is treatable through medical means. First-time mothers should not, therefore, have any fears concerning the condition. Counseling can also come in handy in helping the victims of PPD to overcome the condition. Alhasanat and Fry-McComish also stress that the condition occurs during childbirth when there is a rapid drop in hormones. The female reproductive hormones such as progesterone and estrogen increase ten times more than their normal levels during pregnancy and then suddenly drop three days after a mother has already given birth. The sudden and rapid increase and drop in the hormones is a major cause of PPD (2015). Even though there is no scientific link established between the sudden drop of hormones and depression, most of the mothers experiencing PPD have demonstrated the signs of depression. The chemical changes both psychological and social that result from childbirth increases the risk of depression in mothers.
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Symptoms of Postpartum Depression (PPD)
Many symptoms are associated with PPD. It is always advised that mothers seek help immediately they start experiencing the symptoms to avoid facing the effects of the condition. Some of the major symptoms of the disease include lack of sleep or difficulty sleeping, decreased libido, changes in appetite, fatigue, and frequent mood changes ( Ta Park et al., 2017 ). The above conditions are similar to what most mothers experience at childbirth making it even difficult for them to determine whether or not they are suffering from PPD. It is therefore important for healthcare professionals to regularly check on mothers after giving birth to examine their progress and establish if they are safe or they are suffering from PPD. There are also other accompanying symptoms that might help both the patient and the healthcare professional to assist the patients in establishing their status with regards to PPD. The accompanying symptoms include depressed moods, suicidal thoughts, and feelings of helplessness, worthlessness, and hopelessness ( Alhasanat, & Fry-Mccomish, 2015 ). Such symptoms also characterize depression, and they must be treated before the patient become severely affected. It is recommended that healthcare institutions put their staff on alert so that they can continuously monitor mothers to diagnose them with PPD at an early stage and recommend treatment. The early diagnosis of the disease is crucial since it saves the patient from the dangerous effects of the condition and also ensures the safety of the newborn.
The Risk Factors for Postpartum Depression
Many risk factors can increase the probability of a patient to have PPD. The identification of the major risk factors is important because it may help healthcare professionals identify high-risk patients and give them special care and attention. The identification of the risk factors can also enable the concerned individuals to take the patient to a healthcare institution with the capacity to provide comprehensive PPD treatment ( Tobin, Di Napoli & Wood-Gauthier, 2015) . According to Tobin et al., a history of depression can serve as a risk factor for PPD. The depression may have occurred before the victim became pregnant or during their pregnancy. The age of the patient also determines the level of risk concerning PPD. The probability of getting PPD is higher in young and first-time mothers compared to older women. Additionally, it has been established that the more children that a patient has, the higher the chances of getting PPD in a subsequent pregnancy. Other risk factors include marital disputes, a history of the premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and the lack of social support (2015).
Tobin et al. state that most new mothers experience PPPD after delivery. It is estimated that about one in every 10 of the women who experience baby blues develop a more serious and long-lasting form of depression. It is also estimated that one in 1000 women eventually develop a more serious form of depression known as postpartum psychosis (2015).
Types of Postpartum Depression
Three main mood changes occur in women immediately after childbirth. The mood changes include baby blues, postpartum depression, and postpartum psychosis.
Baby Blues
Baby blues are considered normal, and they occur to mothers a few days after childbirth. They cause sudden mood swings in mothers causing them to alternate between feelings of sadness and happiness. It is common to find mothers who experience baby blues cry for no reason, feel restless, impatient, lonely, irritable, and sad ( Ta Park et al., 2017 ). The duration of baby blues varies from a couple of hours for some mothers to as long as two weeks in others. Baby blues do not require medical treatment, but the patient can be assisted by support groups made up of new mothers.
Postpartum Depression (PPD)
Postpartum depression is a more serious form of depression compared to baby blues. It is important to note that PPD is not reserved for first-time mothers only; the disorder can also occur to women who already have one or more kids. A victim of PPD also experiences the same mood swings like the one suffering from baby blues, but her feelings are much stronger. PPD can develop to the stage where it affects the daily routine of its victims. When such a scenario occurs, it is always advisable that the victims seek medical help. Some of the medical professionals that can offer help to the people with PTSD include a primary care doctor or an ob-gyn ( Ta Park et al., 2017 ). The condition can also be treated by combining both counseling and medication.
Postpartum Psychosis
Postpartum psychosis, on the other hand, is a serious mental condition that can affect women during childbirth. The illness occurs at a rapid pace, usually within the first three months after childbirth ( Alhasanat, & Fry-mccomish, 2015 ). Some of the major symptoms include auditory hallucinations, delusions, and visual hallucinations, feelings of anger, restlessness, and strange behaviors. The people with postpartum psychosis must be treated as quickly as possible to prevent the condition from permanently affecting them.
Treatment of PPD
The treatment of PPD varies depending on the type and severity of the depression on mothers. According to Tobin et al., some of the main treatment options include emotional support and education, antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications, and psychotherapy. Severe cases of PPD require the intravenous infusion of brexanolone which is a new medication. The drugs that are used to treat psychosis are also used in the case of postpartum psychosis. It is, however, important to note that a doctor must first diagnose the patient before commencing any treatment plan. Breastfeeding women also need close attention and supervision from their doctor (2015).
Conclusion
In summation, the analysis of the causes, symptoms, and treatment of postpartum depression reveal that it is a serious condition affecting women and it must be treated with the urgency that it requires. Postpartum depression refers to some emotional, physical, and behavioral changes that occur in women immediately after giving birth. The condition occurs during childbirth when there is a rapid drop in hormones. The female reproductive hormones such as progesterone and estrogen increase ten times more than their normal levels during pregnancy and then suddenly drop three days after a mother has already given birth. The sudden and rapid increase and drop in the hormones is a major cause of PPD. Some of the major treatment options for the diseases include emotional support and education, antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications, and psychotherapy. Severe cases of PPD require the intravenous infusion of brexanolone which is a new medication.
References
Alhasanat, D., & Fry-mccomish, J. (2015). Postpartum depression among immigrant and Arabic women: A Literature review. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 17 (6), 1882-1894. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10903-015-0165-5
Ta Park, Van, M., Goyal, Deepika, C., Nguyen, T…... & Rosidi, D. (2017). Postpartum traditions, mental health, and help-seeking considerations among Vietnamese American women: A mixed-methods pilot study. The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 44 (3), 428-441. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11414-015-9476-5
Tobin, C., Di Napoli, P., & Wood-gauthier, M. (2015). Recognition of risk factors for postpartum depression in refugee and immigrant women: Are current screening practices adequate? Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 17 (4), 1019-1024. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10903-014-0041-8
