Postpartum Depression Support
We believe that many reasons for becoming a Broken Mom stem from an undetected and untreated
Postpartum Depression.
If you are struggling in pregnancy and in the early stages of your babies life or even if your child is grown, please research Postpartum Depression.
Postpartum Depression.
If you are struggling in pregnancy and in the early stages of your babies life or even if your child is grown, please research Postpartum Depression.
Do Not Be Ashamed, Help Is Real!
Postpartum Depression Facts
10-12% Of Women In The General Population Suffer
26% Military Spouses Suffer While Husbands Deployed
80% Of Both Groups Of Moms Go Untreated
26% Military Spouses Suffer While Husbands Deployed
80% Of Both Groups Of Moms Go Untreated
What Is Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a complex mix of physical, emotional, and behavioral changes that happen in a woman after giving birth. Postpartum depression is linked too chemical, social, and psychological changes associated with having a baby. The term describes a range of physical and emotional changes that many new mothers experience.
The good news is postpartum depression can be treated with medication and counseling. Postpartum depression (PPD) is a complex mix of physical, emotional, and behavioral changes that happen in a woman after giving birth. According to the DSM IV, a manual used to diagnose mental disorders, PPD is a form of major depression that has its onset within four weeks after delivery. The diagnosis of postpartum depression is based not only on the length of time between delivery and onset, but also on the severity of the depression.
The chemical changes involve a rapid drop in hormones after delivery. The actual link between this drop and depression is still not clear. But what is known is that the levels of estrogen and progesterone, the female reproductive hormones, increase tenfold during pregnancy. Then, they drop sharply after delivery. By three days after a woman gives birth, the levels of these hormones drop back to what they were before she got pregnant. In addition to these chemical changes, social and psychological changes associated with having a baby create an increased risk of depression.
The good news is postpartum depression can be treated with medication and counseling. Postpartum depression (PPD) is a complex mix of physical, emotional, and behavioral changes that happen in a woman after giving birth. According to the DSM IV, a manual used to diagnose mental disorders, PPD is a form of major depression that has its onset within four weeks after delivery. The diagnosis of postpartum depression is based not only on the length of time between delivery and onset, but also on the severity of the depression.
The chemical changes involve a rapid drop in hormones after delivery. The actual link between this drop and depression is still not clear. But what is known is that the levels of estrogen and progesterone, the female reproductive hormones, increase tenfold during pregnancy. Then, they drop sharply after delivery. By three days after a woman gives birth, the levels of these hormones drop back to what they were before she got pregnant. In addition to these chemical changes, social and psychological changes associated with having a baby create an increased risk of depression.
Are There Different Types Of Postpartum Depression?
There are three types of mood changes women can have after giving birth:
The "Baby Blues" which occur in most women in the days right after childbirth and are considered normal. A new mother has sudden mood swings, such as feeling very happy and then feeling very sad. She may cry for no reason and can feel impatient, irritable, restless, anxious, lonely, and sad. The baby blues may last only a few hours or as long as one to two weeks after delivery. The baby blues do not usually require treatment from a health care provider. Often, joining a support group of new moms or talking with other moms helps.
Postpartum Depression (PPD) can happen a few days or even months after childbirth. PPD can happen after the birth of any child, not just the first child. A woman can have feelings similar to the baby blues -- sadness, despair, anxiety, irritability -- but she feels them much more strongly than she would with the baby blues. PPD often keeps a woman from doing the things she needs to do every day. When a woman's ability to function is affected, she needs to see her health care provider. If a woman does not get treatment for PPD, symptoms can get worse and last for as long as one year. While PPD is a serious condition, it can be treated with medication and counseling.
Postpartum Psychosis is a very serious mental illness that can affect new mothers. This illness can happen quickly, often within the first three months after childbirth. Women can lose touch with reality, having auditory hallucinations (hearing things that aren't actually happening, like a person talking) and delusions (strongly believing things that are clearly irrational). Visual hallucinations (seeing things that aren't there) are less common. Other symptoms include insomnia (not being able to sleep), feeling agitated (unsettled) and angry, and strange feelings and behaviors. Women who have postpartum psychosis need treatment right away and almost always need medication. Sometimes women are put into the hospital because they are at risk for hurting themselves or someone else.
Do Depression Anxiety Disorders Increase With Postpartum Depression? Symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder may appear or worsen in the postpartum period. The obsessions are usually related to concerns about the baby or harming the baby. Panic disorder may also occur. Both conditions usually coexist with depression. PostPartum.net
The "Baby Blues" which occur in most women in the days right after childbirth and are considered normal. A new mother has sudden mood swings, such as feeling very happy and then feeling very sad. She may cry for no reason and can feel impatient, irritable, restless, anxious, lonely, and sad. The baby blues may last only a few hours or as long as one to two weeks after delivery. The baby blues do not usually require treatment from a health care provider. Often, joining a support group of new moms or talking with other moms helps.
Postpartum Depression (PPD) can happen a few days or even months after childbirth. PPD can happen after the birth of any child, not just the first child. A woman can have feelings similar to the baby blues -- sadness, despair, anxiety, irritability -- but she feels them much more strongly than she would with the baby blues. PPD often keeps a woman from doing the things she needs to do every day. When a woman's ability to function is affected, she needs to see her health care provider. If a woman does not get treatment for PPD, symptoms can get worse and last for as long as one year. While PPD is a serious condition, it can be treated with medication and counseling.
Postpartum Psychosis is a very serious mental illness that can affect new mothers. This illness can happen quickly, often within the first three months after childbirth. Women can lose touch with reality, having auditory hallucinations (hearing things that aren't actually happening, like a person talking) and delusions (strongly believing things that are clearly irrational). Visual hallucinations (seeing things that aren't there) are less common. Other symptoms include insomnia (not being able to sleep), feeling agitated (unsettled) and angry, and strange feelings and behaviors. Women who have postpartum psychosis need treatment right away and almost always need medication. Sometimes women are put into the hospital because they are at risk for hurting themselves or someone else.
Do Depression Anxiety Disorders Increase With Postpartum Depression? Symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder may appear or worsen in the postpartum period. The obsessions are usually related to concerns about the baby or harming the baby. Panic disorder may also occur. Both conditions usually coexist with depression. PostPartum.net
What Are The Symptoms Of Postpartum Depression?
Symptoms of postpartum depression are similar to what happens normally following childbirth
They include:
- Lack of sleep
- Appetite changes
- Excessive fatigue
- Decreased libido
- Frequent mood changes
They include:
- Lack of sleep
- Appetite changes
- Excessive fatigue
- Decreased libido
- Frequent mood changes
However, these are also accompanied by the symptoms of major depression
- Depressed mood
- Loss of pleasure
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Hopelessness and helplessness
- Thoughts of death or suicide
- Depressed mood
- Loss of pleasure
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Hopelessness and helplessness
- Thoughts of death or suicide
