After giving birth to her daughter Luna, model and television personality Chrissy Teigen developed postpartum depression, a condition affecting approximately 1 in 5-7 women and 1 in 10 men. (Depression During Pregnancy & Postpartum | Postpartum Support International (PSI) (Source: postpartum.net) “I (…) didn’t think it could happen to me. I have a great life. I have all the help I could need. But postpartum does not discriminate. I couldn’t control it,” says Teigen in an open letter published in Glamour Magazine. (Glamour, 2017)
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, after childbirth, the levels of hormones (estrogen and progesterone) in a woman’s body quickly drop. This leads to chemical changes in her brain that may trigger mood swings.
The “baby blues”, a normal adjustment period which presents as mood swings, crying spells, feeling of sadness, irritability, and difficulty sleeping during the first 2-3 weeks after giving birth, may be mistaken as postpartum depression. Baby blues usually resolve without medical assistance when hormones return to pre-pregnancy levels.
“Some days, it will be all you can do to keep a baby safe, warm, and fed.”
When it goes beyond the “Blues”
Postpartum depression (PPD) symptoms are more intense and last longer. Symptoms can appear during pregnancy and the first 12 months after childbirth. These symptoms can include depressed mood or severe mood swings, irritability, changes in sleep and appetite, fatigue, hopelessness, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, isolating from friends and family, and feelings of guilt, shame, or inadequacy as a mother.
Untreated postpartum depression can cause mothers to have problems bonding with and caring for their infants, and even an increased risk of suicide. (mayoclinic.org) It can also affect the child’s development and put a strain on your relationship with your partner.
One mom who wished to remain anonymous put it this way; “You’ll learn to lower your expectations about what you can accomplish in a day. Some days, it will be all you can do to keep a baby safe, warm, and fed.”
In 2018, the Today Show reported that a Massachusetts mother with a history of postpartum depression took her own life nine days after giving birth to twins. In her previous bout of postpartum depression, the husband explained that his wife had described the feeling like a “little person had taken up residence” in her head, drowning out all positive feelings. (psychiatrist.com)
Diagnosis of PPD
Despite the fact that postpartum depression is the most common complication of childbirth according to the American Psychological Association, many women still feel uncomfortable or embarrassed to talk about their symptoms.
With increasing awareness of PPD and its prevalence in new mothers, more steps are being taken for early identification. Unfortunately, there is no medical test to identify this mood disorder. Instead, doctors must rely on asking patients a series of questions. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale is a screening tool often used to assess a patient’s state of mind in order to make a diagnosis and treatment plan.
Postpartum depression can affect people from all races, ethnicities, cultures, and educational or economic backgrounds, and is not exclusive to new moms. It can develop after the birth of any child. According to a joint survey by the University of Virginia School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins University of more than one million mothers worldwide, the risk for postpartum depression is highest among first-time mothers, mothers younger than 25 years old, and mothers of twins or multiple births. (Source: newsroom.uvahealth.com)
Other risk factors for PPD include:
- History of depression or anxiety, either during pregnancy or at other times.
- History of PPD following a previous pregnancy.
- The mother has bipolar disorder.
- The mother has difficulty breastfeeding.
- The baby has special needs or is constantly crying.
- Pregnancy complications or illness.
- There was a stressful event such as a job loss or financial problems.
- Conflict with a spouse or partner.
- Lack of support for the mother.
- The pregnancy was unplanned or unwanted.
Treatment Options for PPD
Treatment for PPD depends on the type and severity of symptoms. They can include anti-anxiety or antidepressant medicines, psychotherapy (talk therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy) and support group participation.
More ways to cope with PPD in your daily life:
- Eat healthily and exercise.
- Rest when you can.
- Carve out some time for self-care, whatever that looks like for you- like reading, going for a walk, or other hobbies you enjoy.
- Connect with other new moms.
- Spend time with friends.
- Accept help with household chores or errands.
Postpartum depression should not be confused with postpartum psychosis, which may include delusions, hallucinations and paranoia. Postpartum psychosis is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention.
Other postpartum psychiatric disorders include postpartum anxiety, postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (Postpartum PTSD), postpartum obsessive compulsive disorder, and exacerbation of other underlying mental illnesses.
If you have postpartum depression, know that it is not your fault and you are not alone. If you think you may have postpartum depression consult with your doctor immediately.
Other resources:
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline 833-943-5746 (English and Spanish)