Women
today may feel that our culture expects them to be “supermoms”
who can cradle a baby with one arm and manage a Fortune 500 company
with the other. For many new mothers their experience is anything but
super. As many as 50% of mothers experience some form of “baby
blues” and a smaller group experience a more serious condition
known as Postpartum Depression/Anxiety.
Symptoms
of Postpartum Depression include:
- Changes in sleep and/or eating
- Feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness
- Irritability and sadness
- Excessive crying
- Difficulty concentrating
- Lack of interest in or feelings for the baby
- Thoughts of suicide
- Excessive worry
- Racing thoughts
- Feelings of dread and panic
- Fear of being alone with the baby
A
woman who is used to being competent and in charge in her pre-baby
life may feel helpless and incompetent when faced with the sleepless
nights and around the clock demands of a new born. Some women are
reluctant to tell anyone what is happening inside of them for fear of
being judged as a bad mother.
Various
factors can play a roll in the occurrence of postpartum
depression/anxiety. Some authorities believe postpartum
depression/anxiety is caused by a drop in the level of maternal
hormones after delivery. Others blame it on a difficult and
prolonged labor and delivery or that it can simply come about from
exhaustion and a new mother's tendency to over do it. Some women are
genetically more vulnerable to postpartum depression/anxiety.
Women
with postpartum depression/anxiety need not suffer alone. Speaking
with your physician can be your first step. There are community and
online support groups. Counseling and/or medication can be very
effective. If you are a mother having thoughts of hurting yourself or
your baby or if you know someone who is feeling this way, seek
immediate assistance through your physician or nearest emergency
room.
