Women who are lucky enough to become mothers know firsthand that giving birth to a child is not easy from a physical point of view. Most often, after some time, the body returns to normal, but what to do if, after such an event, the psyche is experiencing extreme sadness and despair?
To begin with, you should figure out whether you really have depression or just another "autumn gloom". According to psychologists, the postpartum condition experienced by women is divided into several stages depending on the symptoms:
1. Post-traumatic syndrome, which is observed within 24-48 hours after a difficult childbirth. Nightmares that repeat images, events, and general anxiety of a woman are symptoms (prevalence - 2%).
2. Postpartum sadness. Usually, it occurs three days after childbirth. Symptoms: irritability, tearfulness, anxiety, and an overwhelming feeling of sadness (prevalence - 30-75%).
3. Postpartum depression (frequency - 20-26%). The peak of symptoms occurs in the 4-6th week and is characterized by the so-called emotional numbness, often accompanied by detachment from the child, the family, and even the whole world. Such women experience constant fatigue, sleep problems, sudden changes in appetite towards uncontrolled overeating, or, on the contrary, almost complete loss of appetite. Also, unexpected metamorphoses may occur in the women's relationship with the child. A mother in postpartum depression can become fixated on her child (in this case, the child's father may suffer as well, as all attention is focused on the baby). This behavior of the mother and excessive care often become the ground for various conflicts in the family. Or, there is another scenario in which the mother seems to forget about the child and loses interest in it. From the point of view of the emotional component, this situation is more harmful (since the case of hyper-care rarely seems like something bad and is most often perceived as normal behavior), but the lack of interest in one's child can greatly shake the mother's psyche, which is already under constant stress.
Will depression disappear by itself, and how to overcome it?
You can relax in case of post-traumatic syndrome and postpartum sadness, which tend to disappear after a certain time. But if you've seen many of the symptoms of postpartum depression, here are some tips to help you deal with it:
1. Talk about your condition with loved ones.
Tell them what worries you, what you are afraid of, and what thoughts bother you. In such a state is very important to receive support and care from the people who surround you.
2. Adhere to proper nutrition.
Thanks to a healthy diet, you will receive many useful trace elements. Try to plan your diet for a week and experiment with new dishes. It will help distract you, and your body will thank you!
3. Add physical activity to your life.
Start exercising at least 10 minutes a day or take long walks. It has been proven that physical activity alleviates the symptoms of depression and has an antidepressant effect.
4. Rest and take time for yourself.
Try to set aside 1-2 hours for yourself every day. At this time, you can read your favorite book, watch a new movie or just sit in silence. Also, do not forget about quality sleep, which is the key to a good mood and a productive day.
Follow these tips regularly and the results won't make you wait! And remember — every woman can face postpartum depression. The main thing is to try your best to put your world together and, if necessary, seek help from a psychotherapist in time.
