Postpartum Depression - More Common Than You Think

Once a woman has given birth, there are a lot of changes that are both mental and physical that may occur. Once a child is born, a woman's entire world becomes full with so many immediate changes. With such an emotional roller coaster, it is understandable that some women would be diagnosed with Postpartum Depression. Postpartum Depression is depression of the moderate to severe levels that occurs after giving birth. It may occur as late as a year prior to the birth. However, once diagnosed, it should be treated immediately.

Spotting the symptoms may be difficult, at first, though, since they are so closely related to traditional depression. Mothers can feel noticeably withdrawn, have a decrease in appetite, trouble sleeping, a loss of pleasure in most activities, and in some worse cases, thoughts of suicide or death. Unlike traditional cases of depression, though, the mother can experience negative thoughts and feelings towards her child almost every day. This symptom is what makes this condition so dangerous. If left untreated, it raises the risk of the mother possibly harming the child. When one is suffering from depression, the most extreme outcomes are always possible.

It is fairly easy to treat, however, once diagnosed. There are medications that are available by prescription and therapy to the women that feel they need it. There is no need to worry if one is breastfeeding, as well, since most of the medications, such as sertraline, are safe to take while breastfeeding an infant.

One should not feel alone if they are suffering from Postpartum Depression. Studies show that 10 percent of all pregnancies result in this type of depression. These results also show that up to half of the women who give birth experience "postpartum blues," which is a brief, less severe period of anxiety after their baby is born. This condition is common due to the fact that a woman's hormones change so drastically during a pregnancy that any particular large life event, such as a death in the family, can trigger it.

While postpartum depression is a very serious condition, once it is discovered and diagnosed, it is easily treatable. Women who are being treated for this type of depression should know that there is hope for their treatment to succeed. It will be a long road, but their life with their new child will become easier.

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