Defeating Postnatal Depression — The Sugar Girl Reality
Ever come across a new mum who feels intense unhappiness, has terrible mood swings and thinks of taking her life or harming her baby at the slightest opportunity? It might be a sign of postnatal depression. Trust me, I’ve watched and read lots of bizarre things that mothers in this situation do their babies.
It is life-threatening as statistics have shown that 1 in 7 women in the United States suffers from this psychological breakdown called postnatal depression.
Postnatal depression is a different ballgame in. People have seriously conditioned their minds to believe that it does not exist. Even when they believe and experience the symptoms, people close to them talk them out of it or mock them. People will throw careless phrases like, “You have a baby that people are looking for and you’re sad”, or “So, you’re now running crazy?”
There’s another common one, “You have to go to the pastor to pray for you because it is spiritual.”
So, whichever way it is, if after you have had your baby and you start experiencing these symptoms from a few weeks up to six months, you are reading the right post as I will take you through traits of postnatal depression to look out for and how you can defeat it.
What is postnatal depression?
Postnatal depression is a term attributed to a combination of physical, emotional, and behavioural changes that happens to some women after birthing their babies. While it is a major type of depression that frequently begins within four weeks after birthing a baby, diagnosis is not only based on the time frame, but also on how severe the depression may be.
Research is still ongoing to ascertain thebetween postnatal depression and chemical changes, however, little evidence has shown that a swift drop in hormonal levels after delivery might be responsible.
Basic symptoms of postnatal depression to look out for
Detecting postnatal depression can be very difficult because women have symptoms like excessive fatigue, short sleep, appetite change, mood changes and low libido after delivery.
However, when the following occur, be at alert.
- Feeling of hopelessness or being worthless
- Extreme unhappiness
- Suicidal thoughts
- Thoughts of harming someone else, especially your newborn or older kids
- Being unable to cope with daily situations
- Panic attacks and serious fears
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder in rare situations.
Defeating Postnatal depression
The most effective way of dealing with postnatal depression is by seeking medical attention. This way, your physician will be able to assess your situation and draft a treatment plan for you either by the use of antidepressants, psychotherapy or both.
However, there are other home remedies you could employ to keep up with the world around you, for yourself and patter of tiny feet.
Let’s briefly look at these coping mechanisms.
Eating healthy
Eating healthy diets does not cure postnatal depression but it can help you feel a lot better. Healthy diets can help shed pregnancy weight easily and give your body the nutrients it needs. Healthy foods like fruit salads or whole nuts should be available for you to snack on too.
Exercise at your convenience
It is understandable that you may get stressed out after having your baby but exercise will definitely help your physical and mental health. You could stroll with your baby around your neighbourhood in the evenings, join a Zumba session (at least you will dance and exercise at the same time), or move your body at least 10 minutes in two hours if you will be home all day.
Create your “me time”
Just like your baby, you too deserve to have the best time. If you feel overwhelmed with work or household chores, you need to get help fast. Yes! You could have your mum, mother-in-law or a trusted adult watch over your baby for 2–3 hours to enable you to cool off. Use this time to go shopping, see a movie or hang out with friends.
Do not stay alone
If you feel you have symptoms of postnatal depression, at all costs, try to live in the company of people. Staying isolated could worsen the situation. Try to talk to someone because it will help to keep your mood in check. If possible, join a support group where everyone can share their stories.
So, if you are going through postnatal depression, please speak out, do not bottle up issues. Seek help for you and your baby. Similarly, if someone around you is going through this problem, let them speak out. Try not shut them out or make them feel they are crazy. Postnatal depression is not spiritual. It is treatable.
Originally published at https://www.sugargirlreality.com on February 4, 2021.