Postpartum Depression or Baby Blues? All you need to know!

When you welcome your little bundle of joy into this world, chances are you are swamped with a whole spectrum of feelings. While joy and excitement are usually expected to be part of the deal, the birth of your baby can also give way to weepiness and unsettling feelings. You might feel exhausted and exhilarated and you could find yourself stressing out over things that you normally wouldnt. Your appetite levels might go all over the place. Sleep might just feel like its nowhere within reach. Changes in hormone levels and adjusting to the new life after the entry of your little one can seem overwhelming. This aftermath of emotional lows occurs in about 25%-50% women in the puerperal period. When you look at the bigger scope of things i.e., the intensity and length at which it occurs, youll come across two forms: a more common one which is a mild form of depression and irritability aka post-natal blues; and the more severe version that manifests through psychiatric symptoms in 2 out of every 1000 new mothers, and it is called Postpartum psychosis.

What causes these two conditions

Biological triggers

The delivery can lead to a sharp drop in hormones. Fluctuations in endocrine status particularly steroid withdrawal and sleep and amine disturbances typically occur.

Psychosocial triggers

Intrapsychic conflicts relating to mother hood, family and interpersonal conflicts in light of the new 'role'. New mothers can feel conflicted with all the changes that come with motherhood.

The delivery merely acts as a stressor that triggers the illness.

If you have had depression in the past, the possibilities of developing postpartum depression are higher.

Symptoms when its post-natal blues

This is typically a short-lived state which lasts for periods from a few days to a couple of weeks. Its symptoms may include:

• Mood swings
• Anxiety
• Grief
• Grumpiness
• Crying spells
• Lack of attentiveness
• Reduced sleep

Symptoms when its Postpartum psychosis

While it occurs during the first 2-3 months post-delivery, the symptoms start to show to up in 3-7 days. They are a lot more intense, spread over across longer periods of time and interfere with your functioning on an everyday basis. Symptoms include:

• Loss of appetite
• Insomnia
• Irritability and anger
• Exhaustion
• Thoughts of inadequacy as a parent, feelings of guilt or shame
• Lack of an emotional attachment to the child
• Withdrawal
• Thoughts of suicide or harming the baby
• Neglecting the baby is common

Postpartum psychoses have a better prognosis when you pit it against similar disorders in a non-partum setting.

Complications

It can impact the quality of life of both you and your child in profound ways.

For mothers who fall through the cracks and are left untreated, postpartum psychosis can negatively affect the dimensions of their bonding with the child.

The child becomes vulnerable to behavioural issues, can have difficulties with eating and sleeping, tends to throw hissy fits, is hyperactive, and can lag behind when it comes to language development.

Treatments

For postpartum blues

Since it is mild and self-limiting, it usually passes within a couple of days and doesnt necessitate treatment via drugs. Monitoring and support from family mostly works.

Postpartum blues are generally not brought to light in terms of medical care

For postpartum psychosis

It needs to be treated with antipsychotics and/or antidepressants.

If you're feeling depressed post the birth of your baby, you should feel better within a couple of weeks at the max. But if you dont, dont force yourself to have it all together. Its best to go see a doctor. If you are concerned about a loved one who you suspect has post-natal blues or is suffering from depression, encourage her to express her feelings and help her with her routine. Many new mothers can feel ashamed or embarrassed about it, but its a life-changing event and can take a while to get used to. It is important to seek help right away if the symptoms intensify.

Article by Dr. Naveen Nadipelli, MBBS, DPM (Psychiatry),
Consultant Psychiatrist, CallHealth

Have a Question? Consult Dr. Naveen Online.