How Do I Know If I Have Baby Blues Or Postpartum Depression
Many people have baby blues after giving birth. Baby blues and postpartum depression have similar symptoms. However, symptoms of baby blues last about 10 days and are less intense. With postpartum depression, the symptoms last weeks or months, and the symptoms are more severe.
You may have the baby blues if you:
- Have crying spells.
- Have trouble sleeping.
- Have sudden mood changes.
Remember, it doesn’t hurt to share your symptoms with your provider. They can assess if you need treatment for your symptoms.
Preventing Postpartum Mood Disorders
Osborne says not enough studies exist that look at preventing postpartum mood disorders, although they are becoming more common. For example, one study showed that mothers who learned soothing and sleep-promoting methods for their babies had lower rates of postpartum depression. Another study showed that taking an antidepressant right away in the postpartum period could help prevent mood episodes in women with a history of postpartum depression.
Sleep is another key area of to help prevent mood disorders.
If I see a woman whos at risk for postpartum depression, I have her come in with her partner so we can make a proactive plan for sleep, she says. Proper sleep can make the difference in preventing a mood disorder. Getting at least four hours of sleep may mean taking shifts for feeding or having the partner do everything but nursing.
She says the main message shed like mothers to hear is that women shouldnt be afraid to seek help.
We need to break down the stigma of mental illness, especially for new mothers, because it does respond to treatment, she says.
We All Feel Blue Sometimes But How Do You Know If It’ll Pass Or You’re Actually In A Deep Depression Dee Marques Explains The Four Key Things That Distinguish Between Feeling Low And A More Serious Mental Health Issue Plus She Suggests Some Key Ideas To Banish The Blues
Even under normal circumstances the New Year can bring contradictory feelings: its meant to be a time for new beginnings and positivity, but not everyone feels in good spirits. In reality, its rather the opposite, since January is actually known as a prime time for feeling blue and is the most depressing month of the year.In a previous article I wrote about how the is a real thing. Low morale can be a result of limited exposure to natural light, having fewer opportunities to spend time outdoors and recharge our batteries by being in contact with nature, financial pressure after heavy holiday spending, and the shock of having to go back to normal life. With all that in mind and the continued restrictions and threat from COVID-19 its hardly surprising that many of us have been feeling blue right now.
This feeling is not new, and there are references to it that go back hundred of years. In fact, it seems that the expression feeling blue comes from an old sailing tradition. In the past, blue flags would be flown if a ship lost the captain or another crew member. This was to signal feelings of loss and sadness, similar to the main symptoms of the blues: demotivation, lack of energy, and being tearful or more sensitive than usual.
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Symptoms Of Postpartum Depression
The good news is, PPD is nothing to be afraid of its 100% treatable! It doesnt necessarily go away by itself, so the faster you get help, generally, the faster it disappears.Some common symptoms of PPD are:
- Low self-esteem
- Lack of emotion
If you feel you might be suffering from PPD or postpartum anxiety, find a psychotherapist who specializes in treating PPD. Dont settle for a therapist just because shes covered by your insurance. You deserve the best help and your family needs you to be well as soon as possible.
Here are a few questions to ask when interviewing the potential therapist:
Does Your Job Give You The Blues Or Is It Something More Serious
Everyone gets stressed or sad about on-the-job matters once in awhile, but if it’s ongoing, it’s time to address the issue before it turns into full-fledged depression.
If you usually get along with your boss and co-workers, but a disagreement or other incident has caused a problem, there’s a good chance all parties involved will be able to move past it. When the mere idea of going to work makes you anxious or depressed on a daily basis, you need to get counseling or another job.
Work stress can do more than make you anxious it can lead to major depression if left unchecked. Mental illness disability claims increased by 10% in 2012 and account for a larger percentage of long-term disability claims. Depression has become a leading cause for loss of work productivity. The heightened pace of technology in the workplace, downsizing, rapid changes in consumer tastes and trends, and the 24/7 internet sales cycle lead to anxiety and anxiety often leads to depression.
The Partnership for Workplace Mental Health offers resources for employees and employers that can help identify and treat job-related depression and stress. You need to identify what is bothering you about the job is it your workload, an abusive boss, demanding clients or nasty coworkers?
HAPPY GIRL helps you to feel calmer, more energetic, and promotes an overall feeling of well-being.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Postpartum Depression
Some people feel ashamed about their symptoms or feel they are terrible parents for feeling the way they do. Postpartum depression is extremely common. You’re not the only person who feels this way, and it doesn’t mean you’re a bad person.
You may have postpartum depression if you experience some of the following:
- Feeling sad, worthless, hopeless or guilty.
- Worrying excessively or feeling on edge.
- Loss of interest in hobbies or things you once enjoyed.
- Changes in appetite or not eating.
- Loss of energy and motivation.
- Trouble sleeping or wanting to sleep all the time.
- Crying for no reason or excessively.
- Difficulty thinking or focusing.
- Thoughts of suicide or wishing you were dead.
- Lack of interest in your baby or feeling anxious around your baby.
- Thoughts of hurting your baby or feeling like you don’t want your baby.
Contact your healthcare provider if you think you have postpartum depression. This can be your obstetrician, primary care provider or mental health provider. Your baby’s pediatrician can also help you.
What Are Postpartum Blues
Postpartum blues are extremely common. Its estimated that 50% to 85% of new mothers experience postpartum blues after giving birth.
Because of how universal the experience is, postpartum blues are not considered a psychiatric illness, but rather a common postpartum symptom, like afterbirth pains and postpartum bleeding.
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What Are The Symptoms Of The Baby Blues
The baby blues are a very common condition that can affect up to 80% of mothers after giving birth. The symptoms can vary from mild to severe, but typically include feelings of sadness, anxiety, and emptiness. In some cases, the baby blues can also lead to difficulty sleeping, eating, and concentrating.
The cause of the baby blues is not entirely known, but is thought to be related to the hormonal and physical changes that occur after giving birth. Additionally, the stress of becoming a new parent can also contribute to the development of the baby blues.
The symptoms of the baby blues typically resolve within two weeks, but in some cases they can last up to six months. If the symptoms are severe or persist for a long time, then it is important to seek professional help.
Whats The Difference Between Depression And The Blues
According to the National Institute of Health, 6.7 per cent of American adults, or 16 million people in the U.S., suffer from major depression, Major, or clinical depression, is treated with counseling, lifestyle changes, and/or antidepressant drugs.
Sadness and clinical depression are different. We all get the blues from time to time. If you’re feeling sad over some temporary situation in your life , you may just have the blues, which pass quickly. Or you may have an in-between type of depression known as situational depression. This sadness doesn’t merit the same treatment as clinical depression, but it’s more serious and longer-lasting than the blues.
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Here Are Some Ways To Tell The Difference Between Baby Blues And Postpartum Depression:
- Timeline. The baby blues occur for a few hours each day and should disappear within fourteen days after delivery. Postpartum depression on the other hand can occur within four weeks to several months after childbirth, and can last up to a year.
- Symptoms. Some of the symptoms of baby blues are irritability, fatigue, and sadness. PPD symptoms are often more severe and include aggression, extreme stress, and potentially feelings of detachment from the baby.
It is important to open a dialogue with your provider about these new emotions, challenges and changes that you are experiencing. Whether what you are experiencing is the baby blues or postpartum depression, it is imperative to ask for help to discover what treatment may be best.
Rely On Healthy Snacks
It is common for new moms to get too busy caring for their babies to feed themselves. Your blood sugar plays a great role in determining your energy levels and overall mood. So even if you are not eating proper meals, take some time to slip in some healthy snacks, such as fruit, trail mix, and cheese sticks, in your daily routine every few hours.
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Take Care Of Your Body
Following childbirth, its possible that you will feel less connected to yourself and how you care for your body. Some practices that you may find helpful include:
- Eating healthy foods. Nutritious food such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are essential to support your babys development and your well-being.
- Getting active. Consistent movement can help release dopamine and serotonin to boost your mood. Consider going for a walk or spending at least 20 minutes participating in an exercise routine you enjoy.
- Meditation. Start by spending 5 to 10 minutes in meditation to focus on your breathing and observe your thoughts and feelings. Meditation can help you better advocate for yourself, decrease stress, improve sleep, and more.
Myths About Postnatal Depression
Postnatal depression is often misunderstood and there are many myths surrounding it.
These include:
- postnatal depression is less severe than other types of depression in fact, it’s as serious as other types of depression
- postnatal depression is entirely caused by hormonal changes it’s actually caused by many different factors
- postnatal depression will soon pass unlike the “baby blues”, postnatal depression can persist for months if left untreated and in a minority of cases it can become a long-term problem
- postnatal depression only affects women research has actually found that up to 1 in 10 new fathers become depressed after having a baby
These factors are equally true of antenatal depression.
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Lifting Your Spirits When Youre Feeling Blue
Unlike depression, occasionally feeling blue doesnt require treatment in terms of medication or CBT. But nobody enjoys feeling down, so there are many things we can do to lift our spirits during this phase of feeling low. Remember that our ability to enjoy the things we love isnt usually affected by feeling blue, so the first suggestion is to make time to do those things.FEELING LOW? Sign-up free and join our supportive community
The old saying goes that laughter is the best medicine, and this applies to fighting the blues, too. Watching a comedy or trying a session of laughter yoga yes, it really is a thing can help improve your mood.Beat the blues with laughter shutterstock/Flamingo Images
When affected by the winter blues, we may not feel particularly energetic, but physical activity is a great mood booster. Going for a walk, mindful running, swimming, cycling or kickboxing whatever gives you an exercise high is worth trying. And if you cant leave the house, you can still keep active: put on your favourite music and dance, do some yoga or stretching.
Laughter is the best medicine, and this applies to fighting the blues, too. Watching a comedy or trying laughter yoga can really boost your mood.
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Intensity Of Depression Symptoms
In addition to being longer lasting, true clinical depression is also more intense than a case of the blues. Usually, individuals who are feeling blue or down manage to perform their regular daily activities. Individuals experiencing an episode of depression often are unable to function normally. The depression interferes with work, relationship, and daily activities. In extreme cases, depression can lead to feelings of complete hopelessness and suicidal thoughts or acts.
If you or a loved one frequently feels down in the dumps or blue, consider whether the condition may actually be depression. A physician or mental health professional can conduct an assessment to determine if depression is present and recommend appropriate treatment.
Understanding the difference between feeling blue and being depressed can make a difference in the quality of life for an affected individual. With proper treatment, depression can be managed, and individuals can live more enjoyable and productive lives.
There is HOPE.
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Depression Treatment: When Should You Get Help
If you have five or more of these symptoms for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, and the symptoms are severe enough to interfere with your daily activities, you may have major depression. Your primary care doctor is a good place to start. Your doctor can screen you for depression, and help you manage and treat your symptoms so that you can feel better.
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Major Depression Is A Great Masquerador
Sometimes, major depression masquerades as dementia and cognitive decline. This is especially common in older people. They may be forgetful, have problems focusing, have difficulty finding words, sleep problems, and have irritability. These are signs of cognitive problems. However, they can also be associated with depression. Thats why people with cognitive problems need a thorough evaluation to rule out causes like depression.
As mentioned, the symptoms of major depression are also consistent with the mood changes that occur in people with an underactive thyroid. Even nutritional deficiencies, especially vitamin B12 deficiency, can manifest like depression.
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Symptoms Of Feeling Blue Vs Being Depressed
Feeling blue or being down in the dumps are ways we describe feelings of sadness or melancholy. True depression has a host of other symptoms in addition to sadness. They may include: significant weight loss or gain, insomnia, loss of interest in daily activities, feelings of guilt, helplessness or hopelessness, fatigue/loss of energy, and poor concentration.
What Are Ways To Cope With Postpartum Depression
It’s OK to feel overwhelmed. Parenting is full of ups and downs and having a baby isn’t easy. If you have depression, you don’t have to suffer alone. Your healthcare provider can help find a treatment that works for you.
Here are some things you can do to help cope with postpartum depression:
- Find someone to talk to â a therapist, friend, family member or someone who will listen to you and help you.
- Join a support group for new parents.
- Try to eat healthily and find time for exercise.
- Prioritize rest for yourself.
- Go out with friends or talk to them on the phone.
- Find time for self-care and doing things you enjoy, like reading or other hobbies.
- Get help with household chores or errands.
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The Dr Shosh Wellness Plan
Every new mom and mom-to-be should have a strategy in place in order to stay healthy and help prevent postpartum problems. The Dr. Shosh Wellness Plan contains seven essential pieces.The last two steps are specifically for women who are suffering from PPD:
- Throw out the myths and fantasies of motherhood.
- If you have a partner, discuss your wishes and expectations together. Never assume, for instance, how the other one feels
- Protect your brain chemistry
- Get a few hours of uninterrupted nighttime sleep.
- Exercise a few minutes per day for endorphins and oxygenating the brain. Dont attempt anything strenuous until youre sleeping well, or it can backfire.
- Line up emotional support with friends, family members, and support groups.
- Schedule physical support on a regular basis someone to clean your home, watch your child so you can nurture yourself.
- Arrange professional support by finding a counselor who specializes in PPD.
- If you are suffering from PPD, or believe you are at risk, consult with a health care practitioner about treatment options.
The smartest and strongest step a suffering mommy can take for her family is to find help as soon as possible, just as she would for any other potentially serious condition. With proper help, you should expect a complete recovery and be able to enjoy your happy life!