being indoors a lot, responsibilities of caring for a
baby) can lead to a bout of the baby blues. Baby blues are usually short
lived and go away without treatment.
What is of more concern are the less frequent cases where baby blues
develop into something longer lived and more severe: postpartum depression.
While Brooke Shields (along with the help of Oprah Winfrey) has put a famous
face on this dreadful disorder, thousands of women who face the pain and anxiety
of postpartum depression fight a private battle of wills between their knowledge
of what motherhood should be and their detached feelings, hopelessness and even
suicide.
What causes postpartum (also known as postnatal) depression and what are the
signs?
No precise cause has been found that causes a happy, healthy woman to loose
her sense of self, desire and joy for life when she should be enjoying the
experience of motherhood.
While many women suffer side effects from the temporary drain of estrogen
hormones soon after birth the effect of this estrogen loss may go even further
in women diagnosed with postpartum depression.
Other factors, such as financial stress, relationship and communication
problems or a history of depression in the family may contribute to postpartum
depression.
Identifying postpartum depression is crucial since it IS treatable. Often it
will become the responsibility of the partner or other friends and family to
watch new mothers for signs of depression. Postpartum depression can occur
anytime after birth - even up to a year after.
The National Women's Health Information center lists these signs to watch for
in mothers who may be suffering more than the baby blues:
. Feeling restless or irritable
. Feeling sad, hopeless, and overwhelmed
. Crying a lot
. Having no energy or motivation
. Eating too little or too much
. Sleeping too little or too much
. Trouble focusing, remembering, or making decisions
. Feeling worthless and guilty
. Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
. Withdrawal from friends and family
Having headaches, chest pains, heart palpitations (the heart beating fast and
feeling like it is skipping beats), or hyperventilation (fast and shallow
breathing)
After pregnancy, signs of depression may also include being afraid of hurting
the baby or oneself and not having any interest in the baby.
It is very important for mothers to have a strong support system in place
since the demands of caring for an infant, especially when other children are
present, can lead to stress and burnout. All most mothers need is loving care
and someone to talk to. For those suffering with depression, it is even more
crucial.
Author: Mickaël
Kerenterff. For more information, please visit my website at
http://www.DepressionBeatingSecretsRevealed.com
where you can grab a free e-course about Depression Beating Secrets. You
will discover How to Finally WIN the Never Ending War Against Depression and
its Dangerous Threats... and Be Free for Life!
