What is postpartum depression expressed as? How long to take antidepressants. Types and symptoms of postpartum depression

Waiting for the birth of a child is a responsible and happy period in the life of every woman. The expectant mother is looking forward to the moment when she will finally hold the long-awaited and already beloved baby in her arms, imagining her new life filled with joy and pleasant chores as a caring and happy mother. But, unfortunately, with the birth of a baby, bright dreams dissipate and monotonous everyday life comes - with sleepless nights, worry about the baby, daily responsibilities that never end. A young mother is not able to enjoy motherhood. She feels exhausted, tired, indifferent to what is happening around her, becomes whiny and irritable. Especially if she has to take care of the child on her own, without the support of her husband or relatives. Over time, fatigue, apathy and anxiety develop into depressive state– postpartum depression, which is dangerous for both mother and newborn. How to survive postpartum depression and why does this problem occur in young mothers?

Postpartum depression is a psycho-emotional disorder that occurs in women after the birth of a child. This condition is manifested by instability of behavior, emotional reactions to what is happening and perception of oneself and the world around us. Anxiety, decreased appetite, depression, guilt, apathy are striking manifestations of postpartum depression. This condition does not allow a woman to fully enjoy motherhood and carries Negative consequences both for the young mother and her baby. Postpartum depression is a serious illness that requires immediate treatment. However, fatigue and Bad mood after childbirth can be depression; it is important to distinguish ordinary blues from a depressive state.

Postpartum depression or blues?

Sometimes women, especially those who have to care for a newborn alone, without the support of loved ones, experience blues and a sad mood after childbirth, which is accompanied by fatigue and irritability. A young mother often cries, cannot sleep for a long time, feels broken and weak, but at the same time remains happy that she has become a mother. After a month or two, her condition improves, melancholy and melancholy disappear. In the case of postpartum depression, all the symptoms of a depressed state only worsen over time and last from six months or more, becoming chronic. A woman not only displays apathy and indifference to herself and her child, but also develops a feeling of guilt. As a rule, she considers herself a bad mother, unable to take care of the baby, sometimes shows aggression towards others, becomes irritable and whiny. The feeling of anxiety does not leave her, the young mother is in constant nervous tension, loses interest in herself, her husband, relatives and friends.

Postpartum depression: symptoms

If you have any of the following symptoms that indicate postpartum depression, you should seek help immediately: medical care and begin the fight against the disease.

These symptoms include:

• sudden changes moods accompanied by hysterics, frequent crying;
• irritability for any, even minor reason, outbursts of aggression;
• feeling of causeless and unreasonable anxiety, restlessness;
• lack of joy of motherhood;
• despondency, causeless melancholy, desire to be alone;
• physical and moral impotence, inability to solve everyday problems;
• insomnia or shallow sleep;
• lack of appetite;
• touchiness;
• cooling sexual desire to your man;
• unreasonable feelings of shame and guilt;
• suicidal thoughts.

Postpartum depression: causes

A clear answer to the question why postpartum depression occurs in women after childbirth, no. There are a number of reasons that contribute to the development of this mental disorder.

1. Hereditary factor. Some women are genetically prone to depression. They are more prone to mental disorders and emotional disturbances.
2. Hormonal changes in the body after childbirth. During the postpartum period, the body of a young mother experiences hormonal changes, associated with a decrease in the production of female hormones, as well as with the restoration of thyroid function.
3. Problems with lactation. Difficulties in breastfeeding: lack of milk, the need to pump, especially at night, sore nipples, lactation crises, lead to anxiety for the young mother, physical and moral exhaustion.
4. Heavy workload and a lot of homework. In addition to the fact that the appearance of a newborn in the house is a colossal psychological burden, a new mother has to perform a huge number of household responsibilities, including caring for the baby. Sometimes a woman physically does not have time to do all the household chores, not getting anything done in a day. As a result, she develops a feeling of guilt and emotional burnout. Lack of sleep, as well as lack of rest, does not have the best effect on her condition.
5. A difficult situation in the family can provoke depression in a young mother. Conflicts and disagreements with her husband, his reluctance or inability to help his wife, and material problems cause resentment in a woman, dissatisfaction with life, and despondency, which over time develop into depression.
6. Depression can be caused by the birth of an unwanted child, as well as difficult pregnancy and childbirth. A woman cannot fully enjoy motherhood, but feels lonely, unhappy and depressed.
7. Lack of attention from her husband. Decreased sexual desire and chronic fatigue alienate spouses from each other and lead to low self-esteem. A woman considers herself unattractive and unwanted.

Consequences of postpartum depression for the baby

Depression is dangerous not only for mental health women, but also primarily for her baby. A young mother is not able to fully care for her baby. Suffering emotional sphere a child who needs not only care and attention, but also body contact and emotional communication with mother. Many women with this disorder refuse to breastfeed. The baby does not receive enough attention, warmth and love from the mother, which can negatively affect his emotional and mental development in future. Children whose mothers were depressed have difficulty falling asleep, cry more often, and become anxious. Such children have a lag in mental and emotional development; they begin to speak later than other children.

When does postpartum depression begin and how long does it last?

Many women are susceptible to postpartum depression, especially those who experienced anxiety and nervous tension while pregnant. After the baby is born, this condition only gets worse. But most often, signs of postpartum depression appear several weeks or even months after childbirth and last for six months. If a woman’s well-being does not improve, but only gets worse, this indicates a protracted chronic form a disease that, without treatment, can last for long years. The reason for this is the reluctance of the woman herself to seek qualified help. A young mother, feeling depressed and powerless, tries with all her might to deal with all the symptoms on her own, tries to hide and “disguise” her state of mind from others, is afraid of judgment and misunderstanding on their part and does not know how to get out of postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression: treatment

The famous doctor Komarovsky claims that postpartum depression is a disease that requires treatment; everything cannot be left to chance, but the woman must be helped to get rid of mental stress. What to do if a young mother realizes her problem and postpartum depression does not allow her to live normally, enjoying every minute of communication with the baby? A woman definitely needs psychological and physical support, which must be combined with drug treatment. Depending on the severity of the disease and whether the woman is breastfeeding, the doctor prescribes antidepressants or hormonal medications. Modern drugs have effective action and minimal side effects.

Postpartum depression – psychologist

Positive results and rapid improvement in well-being can be obtained from consultations with an experienced psychologist or psychotherapist. A specialist will help a young mother change her thinking, correct her current behavior, or simply support her with a word that can work wonders.

How to help a young mother get rid of depression at home?

Young mothers mistakenly think that they are to blame for being depressed after the birth of their babies, and feelings of guilt further aggravate the situation. But that's not true. Many women all over the world suffer from this disease and successfully cope with it, thanks to the support of loved ones and timely psychological assistance. How to avoid postpartum depression? Don't be afraid to ask for help and follow these tips to help you manage stress, anxiety, and enjoy life.

1. pay attention to proper nutrition. The diet should be varied and rich essential vitamins and microelements that affect wellness and give energy.
2. An important point in the fight against stress is proper sleep. Be sure to sleep during your baby's nap time, Homework will wait. Do not forget to pay attention to light physical exercise and relaxing activities: massage, yoga, meditation. Taking a warm bath with aromatic oils can help relieve stress and gain peace of mind.
3. Give yourself more weekends where you can devote time to communicating with your husband, taking care of yourself, or meeting with a friend. New emotions and impressions will distract you from negative thoughts, charge you with optimism, and fill monotonous everyday life with joyful moments. While the mother and baby are resting, the grandmother or other relatives can sit with them, and if there is no one to leave the baby with, take the baby with you. Time spent together in the fresh air and a change of scenery will benefit both the child and the mother.
4. Skin-to-skin physical contact with the baby helps to get closer to him and get rid of the feeling of alienation if it manifests itself in a woman. Playing, socializing, cuddling and breastfeeding - The best way get attached and love the little man who so needs his mother's affection and care.
5. Learn to control your emotions and try to avoid negative thoughts.
6. Don’t keep your emotions to yourself, share your experiences and worries with loved ones or find like-minded people on the Internet. Exists a large number of forums for mothers, where women share experiences and advice, help each other overcome the problem.

Postpartum depression: reviews

“We were looking forward to the baby - he is a desired and beloved child. The pregnancy was not easy, the birth was very difficult and long, with many breaks. After giving birth it was so bad that I didn’t want to see the baby. He irritated me. I didn’t want to do anything, I just cried and got annoyed by the baby’s crying. Thanks to my husband, who noticed that something was wrong with me and took me to a psychologist. After several sessions, I realized the problem and gradually learned to enjoy motherhood.”

“I never thought that this problem would affect me. I was always an optimist, but after the baby came into the house, it was like I was replaced. I was so tired of this constant crying, nights without sleep and normal rest. The child is very restless and requires constant attention. And there were also problems with my husband, it came to divorce. I stopped taking care of myself, I didn’t care what I looked like, I did household chores like a robot, I often cried, I had hysterics and nervous breakdowns. I remained in this state for more than 3 months until I sought help from a consultation, where I was advised to have a good psychologist.”

“None of my relatives noticed or pretended that I was depressed. My husband accused me of my inability to properly care for the child, but I simply did not have either physical or moral strength. In the morning I already woke up exhausted and tired, I didn’t want to see or hear anyone, and my baby suffered from this. Attacks of aggression and constant hysterics brought our intimate life with my husband to naught. He tried not to appear at home, citing constant delays at work, and I so missed his support and help! I understood what was happening to me and I needed help, but I didn’t do anything, I wanted to handle it myself. It became easier when the baby grew up a little, I began to spend more time outside, to meet friends, and always took her with me to the shops. I didn’t want to sit within 4 walls that oppressed me.”

It should be remembered that the depressed state in which the mother finds herself after childbirth is not her fault. She is simply not able to cope with her problem on her own, without outside help. Only moral and psychological support, as well as help in household chores from loved ones, can bring a woman out of this state of apathy.
She needs her husband’s love, attention and care more than ever and helps her feel like a happy, desired wife and a wonderful, caring mother.

This is a mental illness with a profound decline in mood and behavior. You need to talk to a woman more often about what worries her, patiently listening to everything that happened to her and the child in the absence of her husband.

The birth of a child brings many strong emotions, ranging from delight and joy to fear. But many young mothers also experience another feeling: depression.

For a few days after giving birth, many women experience a mild depression called baby blues. This condition can last from a few hours to two weeks after birth. However, for some women it takes more severe form, called postpartum depression, which can last weeks or even months after giving birth. Without treatment, this can drag on for a year or more.

Postpartum depression is depressive symptoms that persist more than 2 weeks after birth and interfere with daily activities.

Postpartum depression occurs in 10-15% of women after childbirth.

Any woman is at risk, but women are most susceptible to:

• transient postpartum depression,
• history of depression,
• depression after previous childbirth,
• family history of depression,
• stress factors,
• lack of support (for example, from a partner or family members),
• mood changes during the perimenstrual period,
• unfavorable birth outcome.

The exact etiology is unknown, but previous depression and hormonal changes during the postpartum period, insufficient sleep are major risks, and genetic predisposition may also contribute.

Unlike transient postpartum depression, which usually lasts 2-3 days (maximum 2 weeks) and has mild symptoms, postpartum depression lasts more than 2 weeks and interferes with daily activities.

Causes of postpartum depression in women

Frequency - 10-15% of postpartum women. It is facilitated by neuro-endocrine changes before pregnancy. Additional provoking factors are low levels of education, unstable marital status or a broken family. Heredity for this complication in 1st and 2nd degree relatives also contributes to depression.

There are three variants of the course of postpartum depression:

• Postpartum depression is temporary. This state of short-term depression occurs in 1/3 of postpartum women shortly after childbirth and goes away on its own, without special treatment;
• atypical forms of postpartum psychoses (the same cyclothymic or bipolar alternation of manic and depressive psychoses).

The specificity of the postpartum period is that often women in the last weeks of pregnancy are more or completely separated from the family, due to complications they cannot have closeness with their husbands, communication with relatives is limited, and all this can lead to problems in the family. This negatively affects the mental state of the pregnant woman. In addition, women are exposed various methods diagnostics, the results of which are alarming, frightening, and cause a state of constant anxiety. If pregnancy was initially unwanted or subconsciously rejected, then this is also a risk of psychosis. Complicated childbirth, trauma and blood loss in the mother, and injury to the newborn aggravate the situation. If during pregnancy high level hormones of the placenta ensured the intensity of blood flow in the vessels of the placenta, and at the time of birth contributed contractility uterus, then after childbirth the level of hormones drops sharply, which causes significant moral and emotional devastation.

The cause of postpartum depression is unclear. Perhaps physical, mental, and social factors. After childbirth, levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone drop sharply. In addition, changes occur in blood volume, pressure, immune system and metabolism. All these changes can affect a woman’s physical and mental well-being.

Other factors that can cause postpartum depression and increase its likelihood include:

• Presence of depression before or in relatives.
• Negative childbirth experience.
• Severe or life-threatening pregnancy.
• Pain or complications after childbirth.
• Difficulties caring for a child.
• Exhaustion from caring for a child or several.
• Frustration due to unrealistic expectations of motherhood.
• Stress due to changes at home and at work.
• Feeling of loss of identity.
• Lack of support.
• Difficulties in relationships with others.

Prognostic factors for postpartum depression:

• Severe mental disorders:
  • schizophrenia;
  • affective insanity;
  • postpartum psychosis;
  • severe depression.
• Previous observation by a psychiatrist or psychotherapist, including hospital stay.

Symptoms and signs of postpartum depression in women

In the first few days after childbirth, many women experience a bad mood and sadness. They may be slightly depressed, whiny and irritable. These subclinical manifestations reach their peak by 4-5 days after birth, and usually disappear by 10 days. According to some data, women who experience such “blues” are more likely to develop PPD in the future.

Postpartum depression is temporally tied to the birth of a child, but its symptoms are no different from ordinary depression. Episodes of depression occurring in the first year after childbirth are also considered PPD.

Manifestations of postpartum depression:

• Depressed mood.
• Tearfulness.
• Loss of appetite and weight loss.
• Inability to rejoice, experience happiness, lack of interest in life.
• Sleep disturbance.
• Feelings of hopelessness, inability to cope, worthlessness.
• Decreased libido.
• Drowsiness.
• Decreased attention.
• Psychomotor retardation.

Typically, symptoms develop gradually over 5 months, but the onset may be sudden. Postpartum depression prevents women from caring for themselves and their baby.
Psychosis is rare, but postpartum depression increases the risk of suicide and infanticide, which are the most severe complications.

Women cannot form an attachment to their child, which can cause emotional, social and cognitive problems in the child.

Fathers also have an increased risk of depression and stress.

Without treatment, postpartum depression can resolve on its own, but it can also become chronic. The risk of relapse is 1 in 3-4 cases.

Signs and symptoms of moderate depression include episodes of anxiety, sadness, irritability, crying, headaches and feelings of worthlessness. This often goes away within a few days or weeks. But sometimes postpartum depression can develop. With postpartum depression, symptoms are more intense and longer lasting.

These include:

• Constant feeling of fatigue.
• Lack of appetite.
• Lack of joy in life.
• Feeling trapped and emotionally dull.
• Withdrawal from family and friends.
• Reluctance to take care of yourself and the child.
• Insomnia.
• Excessive concern for the child.
• Loss of interest in sex.
• Severe mood swings.
• Feelings of failure or inadequacy.
• Inflated expectations and demands.
• Difficulties in understanding what is happening.

If you feel depressed after having a baby, you may find it difficult to admit it. But it's important to tell your doctor that you have symptoms of postpartum depression.

The first symptoms of depression appear during the first six weeks of the postpartum period. The first thing to appear is a decrease in mood in the morning, and the earlier a woman wakes up, the worse mood. Her sleep is disturbed. The condition is so depressed that my appetite is reduced and I don’t feel like eating. But here there is the exact opposite option: decreased mood, depression and weakness lead a woman to the refrigerator and stove. Accordingly, weight decreases or increases. A feeling of guilt and self-abasement appears, self-accusation for no reason. Self-esteem also decreases. Attention is impaired, child care suffers, and there are visible hesitations before making decisions. At the same time, there appear increased anxiety and concerns about the condition of the newborn and his safety. When communicating even with loved ones, irritability appears - “don’t touch me, leave me alone!” The vision of the future is gloomy and hopeless. Accordingly, interest in life is lost and libido decreases.

The general tone is reduced, weakness, fatigue lead to the eternal depressive “position” on the sofa or bed, facing the wall.

Postpartum psychosis can be a manifestation of blood poisoning - sepsis, so a general examination is required - blood and urine tests, blood cultures. It is possible that postpartum psychosis is again a manifestation of bipolar or cyclothymic disorder - manic-depressive psychosis.

Psychosis is a mental disorder in which there is a loss of contact with reality, hallucinations, delusions, and thoughts appear. Hallucinations - false perceptions, usually auditory delusions - false beliefs may include persecutory, religious delusions; disorganization of thinking - a violation of the logic of the thinking process. However, women with an existing diagnosis of a mental disorder may experience worsening of the disorder during pregnancy. Relapse rates are also high for women who had psychosis during a previous pregnancy.

Now the main occupation of a woman is caring for a newborn. For about a year, all her time will be completely devoted to him, and the first few months the load will be doubly greater. The mother will have to feed, swaddle, care for, respond to the slightest mood swings, doubt and worry, regardless of whether it is the first child or not. Of course, most of all the baby needs his mother, her love and support. She understands him like no one else, rejoices at his first successes and worries if something goes wrong. And although it is believed that the father and his participation in the process of care and upbringing are also extremely necessary for the child already during the first year of life, often this burden falls heavily on the mother’s shoulders.

Both physically and psychologically, a woman is in a stressful state, she gets tired quickly, and sometimes develops chronic lack of sleep.

Attachment to a child, dependence on his well-being and needs forces a woman to significantly change her lifestyle and minimize her personal time. Added to this are physical fatigue and nervous exhaustion after childbirth, and sometimes postpartum hormonal imbalance. As a result, a woman may experience postpartum depression. Its symptoms: moodiness, melancholy, depression, inconsistency of actions and extreme touchiness. The woman becomes tearful, her mood changes frequently and for no reason, her intelligence decreases, and she does not want to move. Sometimes appetite decreases and sleep deteriorates. Sudden weight fluctuations are possible. The skin becomes dry, hair and nails become brittle, blood pressure rises or falls, and the heart rate noticeably increases.

A woman’s relationships with relatives and friends deteriorate sharply, and unmotivated aggression towards the child may appear, accompanied by a feeling of guilt. The situation is further complicated by the fact that in many cases the woman is also burdened with care household. If her family and, first of all, her husband do not understand her, if they do not strive to help and take on part of the daily worries, this is a serious test. It's even worse if the husband goes to open conflict and accuses his wife of selfishness, hysteria, inability to cope with housework and raising a child, and threatens to leave home. In this case, the woman’s depressive condition may worsen to such an extent that it requires emergency medical intervention. At this crucial moment, the correct reaction of loved ones, especially the husband, is very important. He is quite capable of taking on a significant part of the household chores, especially those requiring physical effort, and providing his wife with the opportunity to take care of only the child, without being distracted by everyday trifles.

It is necessary to support your spouse emotionally - share her hobbies, walk with her, read aloud to her, listen to music. It’s good if your family initially has a warm, trusting relationship, in which case everything happens by itself. In other cases, some effort should be made to create a positive atmosphere in the home.

If you are showing signs of postpartum depression, don't be scared or blame yourself. This is the body's natural response to postpartum stress. It will end soon, and you won’t even remember about them. Try to pull yourself together and be a little more tolerant of your family. For them, this is also a serious test, all the more serious because they did not experience what you had to endure. Be a little more lenient with them. Now you all have one big task - to raise a new good man. You are the most wonderful mother, you have the most wonderful baby, and all problems are solved as they arise. Don't worry about little things. Try to explain to your loved ones that you still love them, but you need their help and support. Ask them to sit with the baby, and devote some time to yourself - go to the hairdresser, to the cinema, just for a walk, visit friends. Take a break from your worries for a while! Believe me, nothing bad will happen during your short absence. Mom and husband will cope with everything perfectly and certainly will not harm the child. And this short vacation will be extremely useful for you. Try to experience as many positive emotions as possible! You should feel happy, loved and desired. This is important for everyone, especially for a child who develops harmoniously, grows well and successfully masters new knowledge and skills in the friendly atmosphere of a friendly and happy family.

Diagnosis of postpartum depression

• Clinical assessment.

Sometimes assessed using depression scales. Early diagnosis and treatment significantly improve outcomes for women and children. Due to cultural and social features Women may not always be able to self-report symptoms of depression, so they should be asked about symptoms before and after childbirth. Women should be taught to recognize symptoms of depression that they may mistake for normal phenomena motherhood (eg fatigue, difficulty concentrating). At the postpartum visit, women can be tested using a variety of questionnaires.

Postpartum depression (or other serious mental disorders) should be suspected if the following are present:

• symptoms lasting more than 2 weeks;
• symptoms that interfere with daily activities;
• thoughts of suicide or murder (the woman should be asked about the presence of such thoughts);
• hallucinations, delusions, or psychotic behavior.

Treatment of postpartum depression

Treatment includes antidepressants and psychotherapy. Exercise therapy, phototherapy, massage, acupuncture and ω 3-fatty acids may also have a positive result.

Your doctor will likely want to evaluate your symptoms. Because so many women feel tired and emotionally unsettled after having a baby, your doctor may use a depression rating scale to determine whether it's a short-term low spirit or a more serious form of depression.

Postpartum Depression - Recognizable and Treatable medical problem. Treatment methods depend on the individual case.

These may include:

• Support groups.
• Individual counseling or psychotherapy.
• Antidepressants or other medications.

If you are depressed after having a baby, your risk of depression after next births rises. Postpartum depression occurs more often after the second birth. However, when early detection And proper treatment less likely serious problems and more chances for a speedy recovery.

With mild PDD, the choice of treatment - psychotherapeutic or medication - can be left to the patient. In more severe cases preference is given to drug therapy. For PDD, conventional antidepressants are effective, SSRIs are especially indicated, because do not give sedative effect, have an anxiolytic effect and are well tolerated. The choice of antidepressant depends on the patient's response and side effects. In addition, the clinician can introduce the woman to local support group services that provide information and education on PPD, and should ensure that the patient has the full support of family and friends during this difficult time. Interpersonal psychotherapy (considers interpersonal relationships and changing roles of women) reduces the severity of depression, improves social adaptation and can be used as an alternative or an auxiliary method to drug treatment.

However, PDD differs from other types of depression in that even with treatment, the patient bears responsibility, which means there is still concern about caring for the baby. Standard treatment reduces the manifestations of PDD in the mother, but does not have a direct effect on the stress associated with parenting responsibilities and on the relationship between the woman and her child. The effect of treatment on the child is completely unknown. According to the principles of good clinical practice, if a woman with a mental disorder requires hospital treatment within a year after giving birth, she is placed in a special ward for mother and child, unless there are contraindications for staying together.

Is it safe to take antidepressants for breastfeeding?

This issue is of greatest concern to patients and physicians when treating PDD. In recent years, breastfeeding has been actively promoted as the best remedy provide the child with the necessary nutrients. It is believed to bring a lot of benefits to both mother and child. At the same time, women are urged to be vigilant during pregnancy and lactation and not to use substances and medications that can harm the baby.

Sorry, security information psychotropic drugs with hepatitis B, accessible to women and doctors, it’s not enough. There are no controlled studies of the safety of these drugs in nursing mothers, and treatment recommendations are based primarily on reports of in some cases and small series on the use of various psychotropic drugs. All drugs prescribed for mental disorders studied are excreted in breast milk.

The use of antidepressants during pregnancy and pregnancy

Risks to consider:

• Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, imipramine, nortriptyline) carry the least risk during pregnancy, but in case of overdose, most of them with more likely will lead to death than SSRIs.
• Of the SSRIs, fluoxetine is associated with the lowest risk during pregnancy.
• When taking SSRIs after 20 weeks. During pregnancy, newborns experience persistent pulmonary hypertension.
• Venlafaxine in large doses may cause increased blood pressure; in case of overdose, its toxicity is higher than that of SSRIs and some tricyclic antidepressants; difficulty of cancellation.
• Withdrawal syndrome or toxicity in newborns when a pregnant woman takes any antidepressants (in most cases, the effect is weak and does not require treatment).
• Imipramine, nortriptyline and sertraline are found in lower concentrations in breast milk.
• In high concentrations in breast milk: citalopram and fluoxetine.

What to do?

A woman who is taking paroxetine and plans to become pregnant or becomes pregnant unplanned should stop taking the drug.

What is the long-term prognosis for women who have PPD?

As with other types of depression, after a first episode of PPD, women are more likely to experience relapses, both birth-related and non-childbirth-related. The risk of developing PPD during subsequent pregnancies and births is 50%.

How to deal with postpartum depression

If you have been diagnosed with depression or think you have it, you need to seek professional help.

To promote recovery, try the following:

• Get enough rest. Rest while your baby sleeps.
• Eat right. Load up on grains, fruits and vegetables.
• Provide daily physical activity.
• Keep in touch with family and friends.
• Ask family and friends for help with child care and household chores.
• Make time for yourself. Leave the house, go for a visit, take a walk.
• Connect with other mothers. Find out where there are groups for new mothers.
• Spend time alone with your partner.

Our baby Polina is already 1 month old, and she sees that I am constantly depressed. Shouldn't I feel better?

Simple solutions and natural remedies

Aromatherapy

Try to find time every day to take care of yourself. Ask someone close to you, such as your husband, to sit with your baby for at least 15-20 minutes. This should not cause you any remorse: do not forget, dad also needs to communicate with the child so that a close bond is formed between them. Take advantage of the break and try to relax. A warm bath will help you with this. Add 4-6 drops to water essential oils rose or jasmine to relieve symptoms of postpartum depression. These are “feminine” oils that promote the production of oxytocin, restore hormone balance and relaxation.

The table shows the properties of other oils that can be useful to a woman during the recovery period after the birth of the baby: thanks to them, you will love your body again, calm down, and strengthen your nervous system. This is an excellent way to combat depression.

Homeopathy

If after giving birth a young mother becomes depressed, withdraws into herself and often cries, homeopathic medicines can help her effective assistance in solving emotional problems. To alleviate postnatal depression, homeopaths advise taking arnica 6c (repeated 6 times a hundredfold dilution), which stabilizes hormonal and emotional balance, as well as St. John's wort.

Herbal products

Herbal teas (with lemon balm, mint or orange blossoms) will lift your spirits and restore joy and calm. You can also drink St. John's wort to restore the balance of hormones and relieve the painful feelings that accompany depression.

Reflexology

Reflexology can help you eliminate hormonal disorders and digestive problems resulting from pregnancy and childbirth. An experienced reflexologist will restore lost harmony to your body, and you will feel healthy and happy again. Reflexology sessions will be especially effective if you also have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a relaxing atmosphere and, if you wish, freely talk about your problems.

Flower-Based Remedies Flower extracts have properties that help fight postpartum depression. The following flowers are especially often used for this purpose:

Nutrition

Recovery hormonal balance take after childbirth nutritional supplements containing zinc and vitamin B.

Postpartum depression

When the blues do not go away for a long time, it turns into real postpartum depression. Although one is often mistaken for the other, these are different conditions.
True postpartum depression is rare (about 10% of women) and lasts for a long time- from several weeks to 1 year or more. Most often it appears 1-2 months later. Not always immediately upon returning from the maternity hospital (first menstruation after childbirth) or at the time of weaning the child.

Sometimes women prone to depression had relatives suffering from this disease. They have a hard time getting pregnant because medical complications or already obvious depression. Another reason that suppresses them is a difficult birth or a sick child.

The symptoms of postpartum depression are similar to those of the blues, but they are more pronounced. The most obvious signs of postpartum depression are: tearfulness, fatigue, sleep problems (insomnia or, conversely, extreme sleepiness during the day), sadness and hopelessness, feelings of incompetence or inability to do something and, especially, excessive worry about the baby. A depressed mother is unable to take care of herself or her child, or she simply doesn’t want to.

If these symptoms continue for weeks without improvement, you may need medical assistance. It is advisable to inform your loved ones and seek their support; go to see your doctor. He recommends a therapist trained in dealing with postpartum depression. Contact us immediately. We are talking, perhaps, about ten sessions in which the mother, in the presence of the child, is freed from her worries. In addition to sessions to help you get back on your feet quickly, your therapist may prescribe mild antidepressants if necessary.

Whatever the treatment, remember it should be done urgently. Without effective treatment, depression will cause you unnecessary suffering and affect your child's behavior and development. Instead of the happiness of communicating with him, you risk experiencing disunity. Even your relationship with your husband or other possible children may end in discord, not to mention the consequences for your own health.

A beautiful woman constantly smiling, beaming with happiness, holding a strong baby clinging to her in her arms - this is how every expectant mother wants to see herself during pregnancy. Unfortunately, the reality in some cases is far from ideal. And the most common reason this - postpartum depression. What is it and how to defeat it? Let's give some friendly advice.

What is postpartum depression and why does it occur?

Postpartum depression is a condition that almost all women who give birth experience. This is a multifaceted disorder of emotional reactions, behavior, psychological and mental manifestations perception of the surrounding world and oneself in it.

The causes of postpartum depression are considered to be:

The most common course of postpartum depression is postpartum blues. It is considered a normal reaction of a woman to the suffering suffered during childbirth. Occurs in the first hours after the end of pregnancy, when, against the backdrop of great joy from meeting with long-awaited baby the young mother is overwhelmed by a feeling of complete physical exhaustion and concerns about the child's health. The woman is torn by conflicting feelings: an indomitable desire to take good care of the newborn and simultaneous helplessness from deep fatigue, inability to attach the baby to the breast and properly swaddle, hunger - and fear of eating foods that can cause colic or diathesis in the baby. For those around you, flashes of noisy joy followed by tears, apathy - episodes of thirst for activity, forgetfulness and absent-mindedness seem strange.

In approximately 15% of postpartum women, the symptoms of blues do not disappear within a maximum of 6 weeks, but on the contrary, they constantly increase, leading the woman to the state of postpartum depression. By this time, she is so exhausted emotionally, and often physically, that she can no longer experience any joy from communicating with her child or loved ones, or from intimacy with her husband. In all her behavior, one can single out only one goal - to escape from the whirlpool of household chores that has drawn her in and to distract herself, having previously had a good night's sleep. Everything that interferes with this - a baby, older children, a husband, relatives - causes irritation, tears, even thoughts of self-harm. At the same time, she considers herself a bad mother, guilty of the current conflict situation.

Signs of postpartum depression include:

1. Constant complaints of loneliness and extreme fatigue combined with tearfulness, touchiness, negative mood and insomnia.
2. Groundless fear for the health and future of the child, self-flagellation incomprehensible to others for any reason, up to conclusions about one’s complete worthlessness and ideas of self-destruction.
3. Provoking conflicts, hysteria, suspicion, quarrelsomeness.
4. Complaints of anxiety attacks or even panic, accompanied by increased heartbeat, an obsessive desire to perform meaningless (from the point of view of others) actions, and headaches.

A young mother can be in a state of postpartum depression from 3 months to two years.

The most severe, but fortunately rare form is postpartum psychosis. It occurs suddenly against the background of a mild picture of depression. The mental disorder is so strong that the woman loses her sense of orientation in the surrounding reality, which is mixed with frightening hallucinations. The character of the young mother changes sharply: due to her anger, imbalance and aggressiveness, she becomes dangerous not only for the child, but also for herself.

Postpartum depression: treatment

Postpartum blues usually does not require any treatment. It only takes a few days or weeks for a woman’s emotional status to return to normal. Those around her should only show understanding and help her quickly get used to her new role as a mother.

Postpartum depression usually does not require drug treatment. All we need is the feasible help of relatives so that the young mother can, albeit briefly, but regularly, relax, put her appearance in order, communicate with friends, and shop at the store. Benevolent, unobtrusive advice on how to properly care for a child and save energy when doing household chores is invaluable. If the picture of depression increases, you may need the help of a family psychologist.

Even if there is a suspicion of postpartum psychosis, manifested by extremely inappropriate behavior or aggressiveness, the woman urgently needs to arrange an examination by a psychiatrist. Only timely special treatment will help her get out of the abyss that has pulled her in and cope with the mental disorder that has arisen.

Already during pregnancy, a woman prepares for her future role as a mother. psychological level, as well as to all the difficulties ahead in this period. After giving birth, many women experience fear of breastfeeding and caring for the baby. There may also be fear for the health of the newborn. However, very soon all fears are left behind, the woman calms down and gradually enters into the role of a mother. Unfortunately, this period does not end well for everyone. Some women develop a painful state of anxiety, unfounded by objective reasons. In medicine, this kind of change is called depression. In this article we will talk in more detail about this condition, the main causes and ways to prevent it.

What is postpartum depression?

This is a rather serious mental illness that develops exclusively in postpartum period and characterized by a depressed mood, loss of former interests. This pathological condition most often occurs in the first or second week after the baby is born.

This type of depression has a direct connection with social, chemical, and psychological changes in a woman’s life. Fortunately, this pathology is highly treatable.

The chemical changes observed in the body are explained by fluctuations in hormone levels after childbirth. However, experts have still not been able to find scientific evidence of the connection between hormones and depression itself. It is known that during pregnancy the level increases 10 times. After the baby is born, these indicators drop sharply, and after another three days they return to the level they were before pregnancy.

Along with hormonal changes, social and psychological transformations also influence the occurrence of depression.

Main reasons

It is not only possible, but also necessary to combat this condition. It’s even better to prevent signs of postpartum depression and prevent the development of serious mental disorders. Not all women who have given birth are susceptible to this condition: some were able to survive it very quickly and now, together with their child, enjoy every new day, while others experience daily bouts of irritation and anger, as a result it even comes to divorce. Why is this happening? To prevent the development of depression, it is important to know its causes and try, if possible, to avoid them. Provoking factors:

• Unwanted or difficult pregnancy.
• Problems with breastfeeding.
• Conflicts with the child’s father (infidelity, quarrels, scandals, separation).
• Upset nervous system even before the baby is born.
• Excessive physical activity.
• Financial problems.
• Lack of basic outside help.
• Unjustified expectations.

Of course, not all reasons depend on the woman. They are often dictated by social and living conditions. However, the emotional state of a young mother directly depends on her thoughts and daily mood, on her attitude towards life and others. That is why psychologists strongly recommend reducing all negative emotions to a minimum.

Symptoms

How does postpartum depression manifest? How do you understand that you have this particular problem and not another disease? After all, this may be the most common fatigue from accumulated tasks, which often goes away on its own. Experts identify a number of signs indicating postpartum depression. If they appear, you should immediately consult a doctor. Only a specialist can confirm the presence of a problem such as postpartum depression.

• Symptom No. 1. A woman’s regular complaints of suffering due to loneliness and excessive fatigue. In addition, mommy may experience tearfulness, sudden mood swings, and uncontrollable outbursts of anger. Already now, family and friends should sound the alarm, because this is how postpartum depression begins.
• Symptom No. 2 regarding the condition and health of the newborn. Very often a woman experiences this as a result of the most minor failure. Suicidal thoughts and a gloomy vision of the future may also appear.
• Symptom No. 3. Provocation conflict situations, daily tantrums, grumpiness. Relatives and friends, as a rule, have no idea about the main reasons for this behavior of a young mother. However, it is precisely this that indicates that postpartum depression is occurring.
• Symptom No. 4. A feeling of panic and anxiety, accompanied by a strong heartbeat, loss of appetite, regular headaches, insomnia. Sometimes a woman has an irresistible desire to commit actions that are senseless, in the opinion of others. Simple conversations with a young mother most often end in serious scandals.

These are the symptoms that accompany depression after childbirth. If you find one or two of the above signs, there is no reason to worry, as it may be simple fatigue. If this figure goes off scale, it’s time to sound the alarm and immediately seek help from specialists.

Why is it so important to recognize a problem in a timely manner? The thing is that prolonged depression after childbirth, which in some cases can last for months, without the intervention of doctors, often ends in psychosis. This condition is characterized by confusion, delusions, hallucinations, and complete inadequacy. Of course, here we can already talk about limiting the mother’s access to the baby.

What factors increase the likelihood of developing the disease?

There are several of them, and they all have a different nature:

1. Age. The earlier a woman becomes pregnant, the higher the risk.
2. Loneliness.
3. Absence psychological support from relatives and friends.
4. Ambiguous perception of pregnancy.
5. Children. The more children you have, the higher your chance of developing depression with each subsequent pregnancy.

Types of postpartum depression

Experts identify three types of disorders of this nature, which develop exclusively after the birth of a child:

1. Postpartum blues. Every woman is familiar with this condition; it is a normal reaction of the body to the changes that have occurred. A young mother's mood can change dramatically. Only now she feels the happiest in the world, and after a few minutes she begins to cry. The woman becomes irritable, intolerant, and agitated. According to experts, postpartum blues can last from several hours to a couple of weeks. This condition does not require specialized treatment, as it most often goes away on its own.
2. Postpartum depression. Symptoms characterizing this condition most often appear a few days after the baby is born. They are similar to the signs of postpartum blues (sadness, despair, irritability, anxiety), but they manifest themselves to a greater extent. During this period, a woman, as a rule, cannot perform the daily duties assigned to her. When this happens, you should immediately seek help from a psychologist. Despite the complexity of this illness, depression after childbirth is highly treatable. Moreover, modern medicine offers a variety of solutions to this problem, so that every woman can choose the most suitable option for herself.
3. Postpartum psychosis is the most serious mental illness diagnosed in new mothers. The disease appears unexpectedly and develops rapidly (during the first three months after birth). Initially, the woman loses her usual ability to distinguish the real world from the imagined world, and audio hallucinations arise. Other symptoms include insomnia, constant restlessness, anger at the world. When primary signs It is extremely important to seek help from a qualified physician. In some cases, hospitalization is even required, as there is a risk of harm not only to oneself, but also to the newborn.

When does postpartum depression begin and how long does it last?

Postpartum depression is considered a more serious problem than the usual blues. If young mothers who have overcome the blues have already managed to cope with all the difficulties and experience the joy of caring for their baby, then women with postpartum depression feel more and more unhappy and exhausted every day.

Sometimes a woman, even before the baby is born, struggles with a depressive state, and childbirth only aggravates the previously existing problem.

In some cases, the symptoms of this mental illness appear months after the baby is born. Initially, the young mother experiences exclusively positive emotions and pleasure from communicating with the child, but after a certain period of time all these troubles begin to exhaust, and the woman herself feels unhappy and depressed.

How long does postpartum depression last? This depends not only on the mother herself, but also on her environment. Very often, a woman is in no hurry to seek qualified help from a psychologist, believing that the problem will solve itself. Sometimes representatives of the fair sex are simply afraid to seek support due to complete disappointment in themselves and constant worry for the health of the child.

Of course, this attitude only makes the situation worse. You shouldn't be embarrassed to ask for help. First of all, psychologists recommend talking to loved ones and talking about all your worries. If they agree to take on some of the housework, mom will have time to rest and even consult with specialists.

What should the treatment be?

How to get rid of postpartum depression? This is the question most often asked by relatives and friends of women who have had to face this problem. First of all, you should seek qualified help. Trying to help a young mother on your own is not recommended, as in some cases a consultation is required medicines and psychological consultations. Self-medication can only aggravate the current situation, which will lead to the development of postpartum psychosis.

Depending on the type and complexity, depression is treated either on an outpatient basis or in an inpatient setting. The decision on the latter option is made solely on the basis of identifying the risk of suicidal tendencies and the severity of the general condition. Modern medicine offers several treatment options:

As a rule, the use of the above drugs implies a complete refusal to breastfeed, since these drugs can harm the baby. It is important to note that any medications should be taken only after consulting a doctor. When postpartum depression passes, the drugs are gradually discontinued and the woman returns to her normal life.

What should my husband do?

Psychologists recommend that family and friends help young mothers who are faced with a problem such as postpartum depression. The causes of this disease, as is known, often lie in lack of rest. A husband can help his wife by taking on a number of responsibilities around the house and meeting the physical needs of the newborn. It is no secret that this kind of disorder is less often diagnosed in those couples where husbands initially took an active part in common family affairs.

Invaluable support for a woman is also the fact that her husband is ready to listen to all her experiences and concerns and encourage her. Recommended to avoid sharp criticism and condemnations.

Complications

Unpleasant consequences include the following:

• Prolonged depression (more than one year).
• Suicide attempts.

Besides complications medical nature quite severe possible social consequences. First of all, this is the breakdown of the family. Indeed, constant changes in a woman’s mood, dissatisfaction with her own life, increased irritability - all these factors often push both spouses to divorce. In addition, some women, in a fit of despair, decide to abandon the child. As a rule, this kind of situation is common among single mothers.

Prevention

How to avoid postpartum depression? Exact causes this state still remain unexplored. That is why experts cannot offer effective measures to prevent it.

However, psychologists call whole line Activities that, to one degree or another, help reduce the likelihood of depression:

Conclusion

In this article, we explained what postpartum depression is in women. The symptoms and causes of this condition may vary in each case. It is important to remember that depression is, first of all, quite serious illness. It is not the young mother’s fault that she has to suffer so much. That is why a woman cannot simply pull herself together and cope with the problem. After all, no person can overcome the flu by force of will, diabetes or heart attack.

On the other hand, the attention of her husband and family helps a woman feel truly loved. It will be much easier for her to find free time for relaxation or hobbies. This kind of care helps quick recovery young mother and her return to the family.

Pregnancy and the birth of a child are events that completely change a woman’s life. Hormonal changes physical changes and violations of the usual way of life often become the cause of the development of neuroses, which you cannot cope with on your own . Treatment of postpartum depression requires a serious professional approach.

The development of depression is not influenced by the age of the new mother or her social status. Symptoms of the disorder may appear in women giving birth for the second or third time. And this does not mean that she is a bad mother or a weak-willed person. Such mental disorders are a postpartum complication that must be treated by a doctor.

How does postpartum depression manifest?

A mental disorder that may occur in a woman after childbirth is different types. The duration and severity of depression depends on what type of neurosis has developed:

• postpartum blues manifests itself in mood swings and excessive anxiety. A woman may be irritable, cry often and be in a melancholic state. The ability to concentrate on problems decreases, problems with sleep arise;
• Postpartum depression can have the same symptoms as the blues. But in this case, the symptoms will be more intense and lasting. In this condition, it is difficult for a woman not only to take care of the baby, but also to perform everyday tasks. She may lose her appetite, the desire to have sex with her husband, and often feel a sense of shame or guilt. Often, thoughts arise in a woman’s head about harming her baby or herself;
• postpartum psychosis is extremely rare. This disorder may occur approximately 2-3 weeks after birth. Manifestations of psychosis will be more vivid and severe. A woman in this state may experience hallucinations, delusions, confused consciousness, and often experience loss of orientation in time.

Postpartum depression can develop over the course of long period time. Without proper treatment, this type of disorder can last a year or even more, complicating a woman's life and leading to separation from her spouse.

When should you apply?

Postpartum depression, as an independent type of disorder, was identified relatively recently. Until this time of manifestation of this pathological condition attributed to the woman’s bad manners, bad character and banal laziness. Misunderstanding on the part of loved ones led to aggravation of the disorder, which often ended in scandals in the family, divorces and even accidents.

Modern medicine can help a woman cope with the psychological consequences of childbirth. Timely initiation of treatment ensures a speedy recovery. You should seek professional help in the following cases:

1. Symptoms characteristic of postpartum depression appear over a long period of time, at least two weeks.
2. Over time, the condition worsens noticeably.
3. Solving daily problems is difficult.
4. Caring for a child becomes an overwhelming burden.
5. Periodically, thoughts arise about hurting the baby or yourself.

During postpartum depression, women often feel shame. They may consider themselves a bad mother or an inadequate person. In such a state, the support of loved ones and, especially, the husband is very important. A woman must realize that what is happening is not her fault, this is a minor disorder that an experienced doctor can help cope with.

Not only the woman herself suffers from postpartum depression, but also her child. It has already been established that in this state, the mother cannot establish emotional contact with the baby, which means that the child will lack a sense of security, which will negatively affect the mechanism of formation of internal self-defense, the ability to concentrate attention and the development of speech in the future.

If a woman shows signs of postpartum depression, then you should not ignore them. Existing problems will not disappear on their own. Over time, the young mother's condition will worsen, which will negatively affect all aspects of her life. If you feel that your internal reserves are not enough to cope with the situation, then without undue shame, contact a psychotherapist.

Causes of postpartum depression

To eliminate a mental disorder, it is very important to identify the reasons that gave impetus to its development. Treatment of postpartum depression also begins with diagnosis, which includes collecting information and talking with the patient. To date, the causes of the development of such neurosis as postpartum depression have not been clearly defined. Experts divide them into several groups:

• physiological changes in the body. Pregnancy and childbirth are always associated with sudden hormonal changes. After the birth of a baby, the level of estrogen and progesterone in the mother’s body drops sharply. The amount of other hormones, for example those produced by thyroid gland. The restructuring affects the functioning of the circulatory system, changes in blood pressure, the immune system and the metabolic process. All this leads to the woman experiencing constant fatigue, depressed, she is subject to mood swings;
• emotional background can also cause the development of postpartum depression. At this time, a woman is often deprived of the opportunity to get a good night's sleep; she is overloaded with household chores. In such a state, solving minor problems becomes an impossible task. Many mothers feel like they are losing control of their lives, and they may also feel unattractive. Depression often develops against the background of identifying a woman in labor with her own mother. Many events from childhood are re-evaluated, unresolved conflicts or psychological traumas are re-experienced;
• difficulties associated with lactation. A new mother must feed her baby and express milk regardless of the time of day, often at the expense of night sleep. In the first days, breastfeeding is associated with the strongest painful sensations which can be caused by cracks and sores on the nipples. The reason for the development of a depressive state can also be lactation crises, repeating every 1.5-2 months;
• social factors and lifestyle. Certain life features can also lead to the development of postpartum depression. Lack of support from loved ones, financial difficulties, difficulties associated with breastfeeding, as well as the demands of older children. All this can aggravate the condition and lead to the development of depression or psychosis.

Often the reasons for the development psychological disorder after childbirth should be looked for in hereditary factors. But if a woman is surrounded with care and attention, given the opportunity for proper rest and sleep, and helped with daily household chores, then the risk of depression will be minimal.

As noted above, the risk of postpartum depression is not influenced by a woman’s age or how many times she has already been a mother. However, experts have determined that there are women prone to developing depression after childbirth. This group includes people who are inclined to develop any neuroses, regardless of what situation they were caused by.

The situation may also be aggravated by the presence of another psychological disorder or disease in the mother. The likelihood of postpartum depression will be several times higher if a woman has already had an experience that led to the development of this disorder.

Features of the treatment of depression

The treatment regimen for postpartum depression is determined individually. This largely depends on the individual characteristics of the patient, the severity of her condition and the type of disorder.

The mildest type of postpartum depression is the blues, which usually goes away on its own. It rarely lasts longer than 2-3 weeks. To cope with this condition, a woman does not have to seek help from specialists. It is enough to rest more and receive help from relatives. Walking in the fresh air, surrounded by other mothers, is helpful. From them you can get support and useful information on child care.

Drinking alcohol is strictly prohibited. Even if you are not breastfeeding, remember that drinking alcohol will only make your condition worse, causing more mood swings.

The help of a psychotherapist will be effective for any type of mental disorder. But if symptoms of postpartum depression appear, you should contact such a specialist as quickly as possible. Consultations can be either individual or group. Often the work is carried out with the patient’s husband or other close relatives. As a result, it is possible to restore not only the mental health of the young mother, but also improve relationships in the family.

Often, in the treatment of depression that occurs during the postpartum period, various medications are used:

1. Antidepressants have shown high efficiency. When choosing a specific drug, not only physical state women, the risk of side effects for the child is also assessed if he is on breastfeeding. Today there are medications approved for use by breastfeeding women. But they must be prescribed by a doctor.
2. Hormone therapy helps normalize estrogen levels in a woman’s body. After just a few injections, some symptoms disappear completely or become less pronounced.

If you consult a doctor in a timely manner, postpartum depression can be cured in a couple of months. If the course of therapy includes taking medications, it is important to complete it completely. You should not stop taking medications recommended by your doctor after some improvement, as this may lead to a relapse in the future.

Treatment of extreme postpartum depression is usually carried out in a hospital setting. Several specialists work with the patient to help her decide psychological problems, eliminate hormonal imbalances, improve mental and physical health.

The treatment regimen usually includes mood-stabilizing medications, antidepressants, and antipsychotics. Electroconvulsive therapy may also be used.

You should be aware that during therapy the ability to breastfeed is lost. First of all, this is due to the forced separation of mother and child, as well as the reception medicines posing a threat to the health of a small person.

What should relatives of a woman suffering from postpartum depression do?

For a long time, many nationalities had a tradition when close relatives came to the house of a woman who gave birth for a month. Mom, sister or aunt took on all the housework, giving the mother in labor the opportunity to recover after childbirth. Today this is rare, but still, a young mother needs to be helped.

Long before the birth, you can agree on how to divide household responsibilities between family members. You should not be too critical of a woman who has recently given birth, and even less should you reproach her for something, calling her weak-willed, helpless or lazy. Remember that during this period she needs consolation and affection.

Her husband should be especially attentive to the wife who has given birth. First of all, this concerns the intimate side of life. Quite often, during the postpartum period, women experience an aversion to sex, but you should not put pressure on her and force her into a close relationship. Doctors do not recommend having sex for 1-1.5 months. physiological reasons. But at the same time, sex can help get out of depression. Only it should be of mutual desire.

How to cope with the first signs of disorder yourself

Postpartum depression is common, but not every woman suffers from this mental disorder. The following techniques can be used to prevent the development of depressive disorders:

• Realistically assess your strengths. If there is no one to entrust daily food preparation to, then try to make this process easier. Buy high-quality semi-finished products from a trusted manufacturer. Then you can take some time for yourself;
• try to get enough sleep. When putting your baby to bed during the day, go to bed with him. If nap child passes on the balcony, you can use a special device, popularly called a baby monitor. You don’t have to worry about falling asleep and not hearing your baby cry;
• Don't forget about your hobbies. Of course, your newborn baby is the center of your attention, but don't let yourself be limited to just washing diapers and making porridge;
• Taking vitamin C and calcium can help as well as antidepressants. The mother's body has a great need for these microelements;
• Don't keep your emotions to yourself. Many women mistakenly believe that everyone should already know what is happening to them. But this is not at all true, especially when it comes to husbands. Most men have no idea what is going on in the soul of a woman who has recently given birth to a child. Share your experiences with a close friend or sister - a good listener can fulfill the role of a psychotherapist;
• Dancing and music can be a great way to relax and unwind, especially since you can do this with a child in your arms. Such a pastime will fill mother and baby with positive emotions and bring them closer;
• try to spend more time outdoors.

Reviewing her responsibilities in the direction of reducing them, as well as more rational planning of the day, will allow a woman to allocate time for relaxation or a favorite activity.

Postpartum depression in men

No matter how strange it may sound, the stronger half of humanity can also fall into a depressed state after the birth of a child. This disorder often occurs because a man feels a change in his role in the family. This is due to the inability to establish an emotional relationship with the child. Often there is some kind of confrontation with the baby due to jealousy of the spouse. The man feels that he is no longer needed by his wife, since she devotes all her time to the new member of their family.

Financial situation also plays a role in the formation of depression in a man. After the birth of a child, expenses tend to increase, which means the burden on the young dad increases. The situation is also aggravated by the spouse’s refusal of intimacy. A man loses a sense of stability, which can lead to the development of psychological disorders.

Symptoms of postpartum depression in men have signs of normal depressive disorder. Ignoring them leads to serious complications, first of all, this is due to mental health, but also later difficulties arise in emotional communication with the child. They are most pronounced in adolescence when the lack of trust between parents and children leads to discord in the family.

Postpartum depression is serious disorder, the correction of which requires a professional approach. However, the support of loved ones plays a big role in eliminating anxiety symptoms. If love and mutual understanding reign in the family, then it will be easier for both mom and dad to adapt to the new living conditions dictated by the birth of a child.