3 Warning Signs Of Postpartum Depression
Giving birth is usually one of the most beautiful moments in every woman’s life. However, this is not the case for all women, because in some cases, the weeks and months that follow can become real hell. That’s why you need to know the warning signs of postpartum depression.
The truth is that postpartum depression, while not very common, can complicate life for mothers. According to a study of postpartum depression carried out by Suavinex in Spain, more than a third of Spanish mothers say they have suffered from this mood disorder. Therefore, with this article, we intend to teach how to recognize and identify the most common symptoms.
Clarifications about the warning signs of postpartum depression
Before we start, it is necessary to warn about the signs that we will comment on next. On the one hand, it is not necessary for you to have all the symptoms to suffer from this condition. Each woman’s experience with postpartum depression will be different. Therefore, this guide is for reference only, but in the end, the only person who knows how you really feel in the puerperium is you.
On the other hand, many people experience some of the symptoms mentioned here infrequently. The warning signs of postpartum depression don’t work that way. One of the biggest indicators that you suffer from this situation is that your mood is similar to what we’ll mention later, constantly and for at least several weeks.
Finally, postpartum depression is sometimes difficult to detect because it can be comorbid; that is, it can occur at the same time as other psychological problems. Therefore, it is important to familiarize yourself with these symptoms in order to identify them in time and consult a specialist.
List of the most common symptoms of postpartum depression
Now, let’s look at some of the most common warning signs of postpartum depression.
1- You feel overwhelmed
When a woman gives birth, she usually feels a little saturated. This is totally normal and happens to many new mothers. However, in postpartum depression, this symptom becomes much more severe and frequent.
Thus, women who suffer from this condition believe that they will never be able to do well and that they are doomed to fail as mothers. They have the impression that they are going to fail and that they are doing the baby more harm than good. These thoughts tend to be accompanied by other problems, such as generalized and constant anxiety.
On the other hand, this symptom may appear regardless of whether the mother is doing her job well or not. Usually the problem comes from a series of irrational beliefs rather than an actual defect.
2- Feeling of guilt
One of the most painful warning signs of postpartum depression is guilt. Sometimes mothers with this problem martyr themselves, thinking they shouldn’t feel that way. They believe that they should be happier, or that their inability to be happy with motherhood is a sign that they are not ready to be a mother.
Sometimes women with depression may feel some rejection towards the baby. They wonder why they don’t love him as naturally and naturally as they’ve always heard they would. So, the fact that they ruminate on this subject leads them to move further away from it.
This problem is mainly caused by exaggerated expectations regarding motherhood. The truth is that having a child is something that will give us wonderful times, but it will also make bad ones happen. In any case, postpartum is a blow to reality, a change in life and identity that takes time to manage and which, on the other hand, is not easy, given the social expectations that are assumed.
3- Uncontrolled emotions
The last of the warning signs of postpartum depression is the emergence of very powerful and constantly changing feelings. Thus, a mother with this problem may experience sadness at one point, then irritation, happiness, or agony. It’s a mix of emotions. These changes tend to wear you down and make you feel bad about yourself.
In a way, it ‘s normal for emotions to be a little altered after having a child. This happens to almost all women who give birth. However, in the case of postpartum depression, the emotions are very mismatched.
The reason is that because of the intense emotions of overload and anxiety the person has, the rest of the feelings will also get out of control. Furthermore, the irrational beliefs that accompany motherhood also aggravate this symptom.
What to do about postpartum depression?
As you can see, the symptoms of this depression can be quite severe. However, the first thing you must remember is that it is normal for this moment to be complicated. This situation happens to many women and they still don’t stop being good mothers or have an intractable problem.
That said, if you think you may be suffering from postpartum depression, it is advisable to seek professional help. A specialist psychologist will be able to help you manage your emotions and feelings. In addition, seeking help will allow you to enjoy this very special moment of motherhood much more.
