Introduction:
While feelings of anxiety and fatigue are common after giving birth, distinguishing between baby blues and more serious postpartum depression is essential for adequate care. Postpartum depression is a highly stigmatized form of depression that occurs within a year of giving birth. It is easy to be confused with postpartum depression, which can lead to postpartum suicide, accounting for 20 percent of postpartum deaths. The effects of untreated postpartum depression are serious. Typical consequences of untreated postpartum depression are poor mother-child bonding, increased risk of suicide for both parents, emotional or behavioral problems for the child, and developmental delays. Distinguishing between postpartum mood disorders and complications is essential to providing adequate and timely care to patients.
Although there is limited understanding of postpartum depression, research has highlighted genetic and social risk factors. In addition to assessing patient risk, physicians can also use screening tools to identify postpartum depression. Once identified, physicians can determine which treatment is ideal for the patient based on the severity of the disease, lifestyle, and the patient's medical history.
What Are the Distinguishing Features of Postnatal Depression and Baby Blues?
There are many mood changes and mood disorders that occur after giving birth. Although many of these conditions can have similar symptoms, key differences allow physicians to make a differential diagnosis and determine appropriate care.
Postpartum "baby blues'' can include mood swings, crying, anxiety, and sleep complications. It is estimated that up to 75 percent of people experience feelings of anguish and anxiety after giving birth. This condition happens to many people in the first few days after labor. For many people, these symptoms disappear after a few days; however, they can last up to two weeks.
Baby blues is a less serious mood disorder that is easier to resolve. However, childbirth can lead to more serious mood disorders, such as postpartum depression and psychosis. In some cases, called prenatal depression, depressive symptoms begin during pregnancy and continue after birth. It is easy to confuse postpartum depression with childbirth blues. At first glance, the symptoms are similar; however, there are some key differences. As mentioned earlier, the symptoms of baby blues are short-lived and do not last more than a few weeks. The most common symptoms of childhood depression are mood swings, anxiety, sadness, feeling overwhelmed, difficulty concentrating, changes in appetite, and sleep complications.
In contrast, postpartum depression can last long after giving birth. Postpartum depression symptoms are more severe than childhood depression and tend to last exponentially longer. These symptoms include difficulty bonding with the baby, intense irritability, feelings of shame or inadequacy, severe anxiety often accompanied by panic attacks, thoughts of harming oneself or harming the baby, and suicidal thoughts. Symptoms usually begin in the first weeks after birth; however, some cases begin during pregnancy or within the first year after birth. While postpartum depression is typically defined as depression that occurs within the first year after giving birth, a study noted that 25 percent of people with postpartum depression still have symptoms after three years.
Postpartum depression does not just happen to parents giving birth. It can also occur in the other person and is characterized by feelings of sadness, fatigue, being overwhelmed, or anxiety. Other symptoms may include changes in eating and sleeping habits. Postpartum psychosis, another postpartum mood disorder, is more severe and develops in the first week after giving birth. About 0.1 percent of people will experience postpartum psychosis after giving birth.
What Are the Symptoms of Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression?
Symptoms of depression after childbirth vary widely and can range from mild to severe.
Symptoms of baby blues- which last just a few days to a week or two after the child is born, may include:
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Mood swings.
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Worry.
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Melancholy/sadness.
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Irritability.
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Feeling overwhelmed.
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Crying.
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Reduced ability to concentrate.
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Appetite problems.
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Difficulty sleeping.
Postpartum depression may initially be confused with pregnancy blues, but the symptoms are more intense and last longer. These can interfere with the ability to care for the baby and perform other daily tasks. Symptoms usually appear in the first weeks after giving birth. But they can start earlier during pregnancy or later, up to a year after birth.
Symptoms of postpartum depression may include:
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Depressed mood or severe mood changes.
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Crying too much.
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Difficulty bonding with the child.
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Withdrawing from family and friends.
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Loss of appetite or eating more than usual.
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Unable to sleep properly (insomnia) excessive sleeping .
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Excessive fatigue or loss of energy.
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Less interest and enjoyment in activities that were previously enjoyed.
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Severe irritability and anger.
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Fear of not being a good mother.
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Hopeless.
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Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt, or unworthiness.
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Decreased capacity to focus or make decisions.
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Severe anxiety and panic attacks.
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Thoughts of harming oneself or the child.
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Frequent thoughts of death or suicide.
If left untreated, postpartum depression can last several months or longer.
What Are the Causes and Risk Factors of Postnatal Depression?
The etiology of postpartum depression is not completely understood and may vary from patient to patient. With this in mind, three potential causes of postpartum depression have been identified:
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Genetics.
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Physical changes.
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Emotional changes.
A family history of postpartum depression leads to an increased risk of postpartum depression, suggesting a genetic or hereditary cause of the condition. In addition to genetic factors, physical changes after giving birth, including hormonal changes, can affect mood and mental health, contributing to postpartum depression. Finally, emotional changes due to lack of sleep, significant changes in lifestyle, body image issues, etc., can lead to the growth of postpartum depression.
Researchers are continually seeking to understand the pathophysiology of postpartum depression. A study determined that changes in extracellular RNA communication in immune cells may be associated with a higher risk of postpartum depression.
These changes can also reduce the cell's ability to heal. “Deficiencies in autophagy are thought to cause toxicity, leading to neural degeneration in the brain and body linked to depression.”
Conclusion
People with depression may not realize or admit to being depressed. Most people may not be aware of the signs and symptoms of depression. If suffering from postpartum depression or developing postpartum psychosis is suspected, get examined immediately. Do not wait and hope for improvement.
