By Jennifer L. Chiras, MS, QMHP, Christian Psychological Associates, John R. Day & Associates
For most women, having a baby is an amazing and joyful occasion. However, those early moments of baby snuggles and bonding can sometimes be interrupted by the tremendous hormonal effects of pregnancy and childbirth on a woman’s body. Fluctuations in hormone levels combined with the many life changes associated with new motherhood can affect a new mom in many ways including how a woman feels emotionally. It has been estimated that 50 percent of women who have recently given birth experience “postpartum or baby blues” and up to 20 percent of women experience major postpartum depression.
“Postpartum blues” or “baby blues” usually occur within four weeks of giving birth (but could present any time within the first year after birth) and might include mild mood swings and bouts of crying. The “baby blues” typically last only a few days and seem to subside naturally. The “baby blues” are fairly common with half of new moms reporting some form of mild depressive symptoms.
Postpartum depression is a more severe form of the “baby blues” with symptoms that are more intense and longer lasting. Fifty percent of women who experience postpartum depression have also experienced some form of depression and anxiety during their pregnancy (the DSM-V refers to this as depression with a peripartum onset). Also, women who have experienced mood disturbances outside of pregnancy (prior diagnoses of depression, bipolar, etc.) are at a higher risk of developing depression during pregnancy or soon after. Adjustment and environmental issues including complications during pregnancy or birth; baby with health issues or poor temperament, death or loss of a loved one; conflict with partner, other family member or friends; lack or limited social support; and, financial issues can also influence the likelihood of a new mother developing postpartum depression. Symptoms of postpartum depression include:
- Depressed mood
- Loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities
- Insomnia or hypersomnia (sleeping more than usual)
- Feelings of shame, guilt or inadequacy
- Withdrawal or isolation from family and friends
- Difficulty bonding with baby
- Appetite disturbances
- Decreased ability to concentrate or make decisions
- Loss of energy
- Increased feelings of hopelessness
- Thoughts of hurting self or baby
Brooke Shields (2005) chronicled her battle with postpartum depression in her book Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression: “Why was I crying more than my baby? Here I was, finally the mother of a beautiful baby girl I had worked so hard to have, and I felt like my life was over. Where was the bliss? Where was the happiness that I had expected to feel by becoming a mother?….I started strongly believing that I couldn’t be a mother. I was already proving to be incompetent, and we hadn’t been home a day! What had I done? Why didn’t I want to be near my baby?
If you suspect you are experiencing symptoms consistent with postpartum depression contact your health care provider. Most forms of postpartum depression can be properly treated with counseling and/or medications.
Postpartum depression in its most severe form presents with psychotic features and affects one in 500 to one in 1,000 women after childbirth. First time mothers, women who have experienced prior postpartum depression and women who have had prior history of depression and/or bipolar disorder are at a higher risk for developing postpartum psychosis. Symptoms of postpartum psychosis typically present within two weeks of delivery (but have been seen to present any time during the first year) and can include symptoms consistent with postpartum depression as well as:
- Confusion or disorientation
- Hallucinations and/or delusions
- Paranoia
- Intense thoughts of hurting self or baby
If postpartum depression with psychotic features is left untreated devastating outcomes could occur including suicide or infanticide. If you are experiencing symptoms consistent with postpartum psychosis, seek medical help immediately.
If you believe a loved one might be experiencing postpartum depression or psychosis, offer emotional support, aid her, and encourage her to access appropriate medical care and offer to help with caring for baby or helping with other daily tasks.
Jennifer L. Chiras has a master’s in psychology and is a clinical mental health counseling intern at John R. Day & Associates, Christian Psychological Associates, located in Peoria, Normal, Canton, Pekin, Princeton and Eureka. For more information or for help, call us at 309-692-7755 or visit us online at christianpsychological.org.
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