Sunday, March 24, 2024

What Are Signs Of Depression While Pregnant

Symptoms Of Depression While Pregnant

Depression During Pregnancy

Depression during, and after pregnancy, is more common than you might think. Studies have shown that 1 in 5 women were diagnosed with postpartum depression in the first year and of those, over 26% of the episodes began before pregnancy with a chronic pattern, over 33% of the episodes onset during pregnancy, and about 40% of the episodes began during the postpartum period.1

Symptoms of perinatal depression or with peripartum onset can start anytime during pregnancy, or within the first year postpartum.3

The presentation can differ but some of the most common symptoms of perinatal depression include:

  • Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day
  • Feelings of anger, irritability, or rage
  • Lack of interest in the pregnancy or baby
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in things that are usually enjoyable
  • Feelings of guilt, shame, or hopelessness
  • Thoughts of harming the baby or oneself

Ways To Manage Depression Symptoms While Pregnant

When managing perinatal depressive symptoms it is important to follow your healthcare providers treatment plan regarding taking medications , attending appointments, and staying in close contact with your support system.

Some self-care techniques that can help in the moment include:

  • Avoiding strict schedules to decrease stress during pregnancy
  • Resting when your baby sleeps, or whenever you are able to
  • Setting limits with guests and visitors
  • Delegating household chores/responsibilities to family members or friends who are willing to help
  • Spending less time on social media and avoid comparing yourself to others
  • Being patient and kind with yourself It takes time to feel relief!

Some other helpful actions include:

What Are My Options If Im Depressed During Pregnancy

If you are experiencing depression during your pregnancy, there are steps you can take to help improve how youre feeling. Preparing for a new baby is a lot of hard work, but remember that your health is important and needs to come first. There are a few things you can do to help with depression during pregnancy, including:

  • Resisting the urge to get everything done. Cut down on your chores and do things that will help you relax. And remember, taking care of yourself is an essential part of taking care of your unborn child.
  • Talking about your concerns. Talk to your friends, your partner and your family. If you ask for support, youll find that you often get it.

If you are not finding relief from anxiety and depression by making these changes, seek your healthcare providers advice or a referral to a mental health professional.

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Is There Anything Else I Should Do

If you are feeling any of the symptoms listed above, it is very important to tell someone. The early days of taking care of a new baby can be hard. Youre probably not sleeping much as you try to meet your babys needs around the clock. Find a friend, family member or someone else you trust who can look after your baby for short periods while you get a break. If people offer help, accept it.

There are many support programs for new mothers. Talk to your doctor, nurse, midwife, or contact your local public health office for a listing of services in your area.

What Are The Symptoms Of Antenatal Depression

Depression During Pregnancy: My Experience, Causes, Symptoms, and Help

âPregnancy is meant to be such a happy time but because we dont talk about mental health in pregnancy women dont know that it can be a very different story.â

Typical signs of depression include if you:

  • feel generally down most of the time
  • cant be bothered with things
  • cant concentrate or make decisions
  • dont enjoy life
  • feel irritable and dont want to be with other people
  • feel restless and agitated
  • think about harming yourself or suicide.

You may not have all these symptoms and they may come on gradually or you may suddenly start to feel very low.

If you feel like you want to harm yourself or feel like you want to die, its important to tell someone. This could be a family member, friend, your GP or midwife. Help is available now if you need it. You can call the Samaritans on 116 123.

âI wasnt sleeping well and Id wake up with that horrible feeling of doom starting every day. Id cry at the drop of a hat about things that wouldnt normally make me cry.â

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What Causes Perinatal Depression

Perinatal depression is a real medical illness and can affect any motherregardless of age, race, income, culture, or education. Women are not to blame or at fault for having perinatal depression: it is not brought on by anything a mother has or has not done. Perinatal depression does not have a single cause. Research suggests that perinatal depression is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Life stress , the physical and emotional demands of childbearing and caring for a new baby, and changes in hormones that occur during and after pregnancy can contribute to the development of perinatal depression. In addition, women are at greater risk for developing perinatal depression if they have a personal or family history of depression or bipolar disorder or if they have experienced perinatal depression with a previous pregnancy.

Postpartum Psychosis Postpartum psychosis is a severe mental illness that occurs after childbirth. PP is a medical emergency, and it is important to seek help immediately by calling 911 or going to the nearest emergency room. Women who have PP can have delusions , hallucinations , mania , paranoia, and confusion. Women who have PP also may be at risk for harming themselves or their child and should receive help as soon as possible. Recovery is possible with professional help.

How To Get Help For Depression While Pregnant

Healthcare providers around the world are working hard to normalize the process of reaching out and receiving help for perinatal mental health disorders. Reaching out to your doctor, OBGYN, midwife, or therapist is a great first step in getting the help that you need for depression during pregnancy or after birth.

Many women suffer in silence with depression in pregnancy for a number of reasons. Some of these barriers to getting help may include cultural factors, misinformation, fear of judgment, and personal pressure to appear strong and be able to do it on their own. It is common for women experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders to experience intrusive or scary thoughts which can result in confusion and embarrassment. It is important to keep in mind that seeking help from a professional does not indicate that you are weak, instead, it is a sign that you are taking care to keep yourself and your baby safe and healthy.

It is always a good idea to speak with a professional who is trained in perinatal mental health if you are having thoughts of harm to yourself or your baby.

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Treatment Of Depression While Pregnant

There is a saying: When a baby is born, so is a mother. Becoming a parent can be an incredible experience and usually brings about great joy, but it can also be a time of extraordinary physical and emotional transitions that can be intense at times. Sometimes the expectations of positive emotions can further the confusion for new moms during this critical period.

When an expectant, or new mother is faced with a diagnosis of depression, treatment is needed to prevent worsening of symptoms. Below are some treatment options and alternative modalities to address symptoms of depression in pregnancy.

It Felt Like A Light Turned Off In My Brain

How do I treat depression during pregnancy?

Its unlikely that a woman who has experienced depression during her pregnancy will magically feel different once her baby is born. In fact, the feelings can continue to compound. When her son was born, Saremi says it quickly became clear to her that she was in an unsustainable situation when it came to her mental health.

Almost immediately after his birth while I was still in the delivery room it felt like all the lights turned off in my brain. I felt like I was fully enveloped in a dark cloud and I could see outside it, but nothing I saw made sense. I didnt feel connected to myself, much less my baby.

Saremi had to cancel newborn pictures because she says she couldnt stop crying, and when she got home, she was overwhelmed by scary, intrusive thoughts.

Afraid to be alone with her son or leave the house with him by herself, Saremi confesses she felt hopeless and despondent. According to Farkas, these feelings are common among women with perinatal depression and its important to normalize them by encouraging women to seek help. Many of them feel guilty for not feeling 100 percent happy during this time, Farkas says.

Many struggle with the tremendous change having a baby means and the responsibility of what it means to care for another human being who is fully dependent on them, she adds.

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How Can Depression During Pregnancy Be Treated

If you think you are struggling with antepartum depression, the first and most important step you can take is seeking help. Speak with your doctor about your symptoms and issues. He or she will be able to recommend treatment that would be best suited to you and your child. Treatment methods for depression during pregnancy may include:

Making changes at home may also help you manage your depression symptoms. Speak with your partner, family, or friends about your issues and ask for support. Allow yourself to relax, slow down, cut down on chores and tasks, and put your health and well-being first. Taking care of yourself is vital to taking care of your unborn baby. Some other changes that may help manage depression symptoms include:

Loneliness And Depression During Pregnancy

While many people are aware of postpartum depression, a condition that occurs shortly after the birth of a baby, less talked about is depression occurring during pregnancy, which is called prenatal depression.

Although estimates vary, one study found that around 25% of women experienced prenatal depression. However, it also isn’t uncommon for women to experience some depressive symptoms even though they may not be severe enough for a diagnosis of depression.

Experiencing depressive symptoms during pregnancy can increase the risk of developing postpartum depression. Experts recommend that all women should be screened for depression both during and after pregnancy.

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It Won’t Necessarily Derail Your Life Completely

“Many people assume that women who are depressed languish in bed or are largely unproductive,” Manly says.

According to Manly, a lot of women have what’s called “high-functioning depression,” which can be more difficult to recognize. You can have depression, even if you can still perform at your job, take care of your kids, or put on a smile at social events.

“Many women who live with depression intentionally put on a mask of cheerfulness and remain very busy,” Manly says.

Can I Eat Seaweed While Pregnant

How to Deal with Depression During Pregnancy? · Mango Clinic

You can’t go wrong with seaweed, whether it’s served as a seaweed salad, as an ingredient in your miso soup or as the wrapping around a cucumber roll. Seaweed contains tons of iodine, an important mineral during pregnancy, along with omega-3 fatty acids.

Bonus points if you pair your seaweed salad with edamame and a dish with avocado. Edamame is packed with healthy protein and fat, while avocado can help you meet your daily need for folate, which allows babies to grow properly and reduces the risk of neural tube defects.Trusted SourceAmerican College of Obstetricians and GynecologyNutrition During PregnancySee All Sources

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How Do I Know If Its Depression

The big question is, are the feelings Im having those of a perfectly understandable hormonal cocktail, or is there more to it?

Ive broken down some key fundamental differences between the average emotion of anxiousness pending a babys arrival and depression while pregnant.

Take a look at this chart or read just below.

Prenatal Depression: Symptoms And How To Get Help

Find out what effects depression has on the baby if you’re diagnosed with the condition while pregnant. Not to worry, 80% of patients can recover within months if detected early. Take a short test to see if you are depressed.

Prenatal depression has recently gained much attention in the world of psychological disorders. It is believed to affect around 1 in every 5 pregnancies, which means that if you are pregnant, you or someone you know might be suffering from it. Pregnancy is an exciting time in womens lives and can also bring about a lot of anxiety, guilt, and different emotions.

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Is My Depression Affecting The Baby

Exposures in pregnancy, whether it be to depression or to medication, carry some risk. During pregnancy, the mothers internal environment plays a big part in the development of her baby. When a mother is experiencing high levels of stress regularly, there is an increase in cortisol production. Increased cortisol production in pregnancy has been linked to increased risk of early miscarriage.9

Studies have found that pregnant women with depression and their babies typically do better if they receive treatment as compared with attempting to deal with untreated depression. Working with a doctor that is comfortable with assessing treatment needs during pregnancy allows for appropriate treatments and better outcomes.

Some, but not all, of the substantially dangerous outcomes for untreated depression in the perinatal period include:4

  • Substance abuse
  • Increased risk of postnatal depression
  • Poor pregnancy outcomes including loss

When Does Prenatal Depression Start

New study on depression during pregnancy

Prenatal depression can start as early as the first trimester and continue through the third.

In most cases, it starts with a change in hormone levels. The increased estrogen that comes with pregnancy is often responsible for increased serotonin levels, the neurotransmitter that helps us feel happy and relaxed. This can increase energy, making you feel more productive and motivated to get things done around your house or at work.

However, many other factors could contribute to the onset of prenatal depression:

  • A history of depression or anxiety disorders
  • Stressful life events such as moving, death of a loved one, or divorce
  • Prenatal risk factors like smoking or drug use during pregnancy

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Can Depression During Pregnancy Be Prevented

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says that certain kinds of counseling can prevent perinatal depression for women at increased risk of depression. Counseling is when you talk about your feelings and concerns with a counselor or therapist. This person helps you understand your feelings, solve problems and cope with things in your everyday life.

The Task Force recommends counseling for women who have one or more of these risk factors:

  • Current signs and symptoms of depression
  • A history of depression or other mental health condition
  • Being pregnant as a teenager or being a single mom
  • Having stressful life circumstances, like low income
  • Being a victim of IPV

The Task Force recommends two kinds of counseling to prevent depression for women at increased risk:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy . CBT helps you manage negative thoughts by changing the way you think and act. Common kinds of CBT include working with a therapist to help you set goals and identify negative thoughts and behaviors so you can begin to think and act differently.
  • Interpersonal therapy . IPT helps you identify and deal with conditions and problems in your personal life, like relationships with your partner and family, situations at work or in your neighborhood, having a medical condition or losing a loved one. Common kinds of IPT include working with a therapist in role-playing, answering open-ended questions and looking closely at how you make decisions and communicate with others.
  • How Does Depression Affect Pregnant Women

    If you have depression while youre pregnant, you may have trouble caring for yourself.

    Depression during pregnancy can also lead to:

    • delivering before the due date ,
    • giving birth to a small baby .

    If depression during pregnancy isnt treated, it can lead to postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is a serious condition that can last for months after giving birth. It can affect your health and how well you bond with your baby.

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    What Causes Depression During Pregnancy

    No one knows for sure, and depression is far from a guaranteed side effect of pregnancy. But itâs a pretty sure bet that those raging hormones play a significant role.

    Hormones directly affect the brain chemistry that controls emotions and mood. Those same hormonal fluctuations that wreak premenstrual emotional havoc can lead to prenatal depression.

    In fact, research has found that women who suffer from pronounced PMS are at greater risk for depression during pregnancy.

    Genetics may play a role too. Depression tends to run in families. If anyone in your family has a history of depression or any other mood disorder, youre more susceptible to experiencing it too.

    Add in one or more of the risk factors like those mentioned above, and you have all the potential ingredients for a case of depression.

    In short, depression during pregnancy is usually the result of a combination of factors, not all of which are fully understood.

    What is known is that depression doesnt happen because a woman did something wrong, and moms-to-be arent to blame for these emotional valleys. The important thing is understanding your risk factors, knowing the signs that you could be depressed, and seeking help when you need it.

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    What Causes Antenatal Depression

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    Antenatal depression can be caused by a hormonal imbalance. Although, because all women experience hormonal changes when theyre pregnant, thats unlikely to be the only cause .

    Other things that may play a part are:

    • previous miscarriages or difficult birth experiences
    • history of depression
    • isolation, poor support, stressful living conditions or major life events
    • unplanned pregnancy
    • difficult childhood experiences and poor self-esteem
    • struggling with a pressure to do things right.

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