Though having a child is a blessing from God, Postpartum Depression, also known as Postnatal Depression, is a type of clinical Depression that is rarely spoken and taken seriously in a country with a population of over a billion people, according to Dr. Jiten Sharma, Obstetrician Gynecologist at Shri Balmukand Apex Hospital Solan.

Changes that occur in women’s bodies after they have a baby can cause anxiety, depression, stillness, excessive weariness, and/or pessimism in one out of every eight women, making it very difficult for them to take care of themselves, as also others to do so.
Postpartum depression is a real illness that can be treated.

Challenges faced by patients due to Postpartum Depression

Pregnancy, childbirth and rearing a new born are undoubtedly hard & demanding and stimulate the deepest of uncertainties and fears in the mother. Whether it's feeding, weaning, a tantrum from a baby, learning to walk, sleeping problems, persistent crying that causes gasping for air or refusing to eat, any of these minor events can lead to anxiety, frustration, impatience, annoyance, fatigue, and depression.
These things cause self-doubt, and women continue to put pressure on themselves to be a good or ideal mother.

Commonly observed signs and symptoms of Postpartum Depression

These include:

• - Feeling sad, hopeless, lonely or overwhelmed.
• - Worrying or feeling too anxious.
• - Weeping for no apparent reason.
• - Feeling down in the dumps, angry or restless.
• - Oversleeping.
• - Inability to sleep, even while the child is sound asleep.
• - Having difficulty focusing, recalling information or making decisions.
• - Feeling furious or irritated.
• - Facing loss of interest in normally pleasurable activities.
• - Experiencing physical aches and pains such as headaches, gastrointestinal issues and muscular pain.
• - Withdrawing from or avoiding friends and family.
• - Having problems bonding with the baby or building an emotional attachment towards it.
• - Constantly doubting her abilities to care for her child and considering harming herself or her child.

Treatment

Symptoms of Postpartum Depression usually improve with correct medication and therapy.
It is critical to maintain treatment once you have started, in order to feel better. Stopping treatment too soon, could result in recurrence. Treatment and recovery times may differ based on the degree of Depression and patient's specific needs.
Postpartum Depression can progress to persistent Depression in some circumstances.

Conclusion

Postpartum Depression is now a pretty common condition that is successfully treated on a daily basis. Women who are experiencing these symptoms should contact their Obstetrician or Nurse as soon as possible, to begin therapy that will benefit both them and their infants.

Why us?

Shri Balmukand Apex Hospital in Solan, Himachal Pradesh has a team of professionals that actively examine women during and after their pregnancies, identify at-risk patients and treat them as quickly as possible.