The period following the birth of your baby can sometimes turn into hell. This is why it is important to recognize the warning signs of postpartum depression.
Last update: 13 September, 2019
Giving birth is, in general, one of the most joyful moments in the life of all women. Yet, this is not the case for all mothers, as in some cases the weeks and months to come can turn into hell. It is therefore important to recognize the warning signs of postpartum depression.
Postpartum depression, although not as widespread, can greatly complicate the lives of mothers who suffer from it. However, according to an Italian study, more than a third of Italian mothers say they have suffered from this mood disorder. This article aims to teach you to recognize it and identify the most common symptoms.
Faced with the inability to understand predictable processes during the puerperium, we believe that everything goes wrong when it is simply a loss of identity, loss of external reference points or various situations of loneliness, abandonment or distress that deserve to be. considered for what they are, without painting them with false interpretations.
-Laura Gutman-
Clarifications on the warning signs of postpartum depression
First of all, we have to make several premises about the alarm bells we are about to talk about. On one side, not all symptoms need to be present to be able to say that you have this condition. Every woman's experience with postpartum depression is personal. Precisely for this reason, this guide can only serve as a reference point, but in the end the woman will be the only one who really knows how she feels during the puerperium.
On the other hand, there are many women who only rarely experience some of the symptoms mentioned here. In these cases, one cannot speak of postpartum depression. It is necessary that a state of mind similar to the one we are about to describe constantly presents itself for at least several weeks.
And finally, it is sometimes difficult to identify postpartum depression because it can present co-morbidities; namely that it can occur simultaneously with other psychological disorders. It is therefore important to familiarize yourself with these symptoms so as to identify them in time and therefore consult a specialist.
List of the most common symptoms
At this point, let's see some of the more common red flags of postpartum depression.
1- Feeling overwhelmed
When a woman gives birth, she often feels quite saturated. This feeling is completely normal and happens to many new mothers. However, in the case of postpartum depression this symptom becomes much more severe and common.
Women suffering from this condition believe they will never measure up and be doomed to fail as mothers. They feel like they are failing and doing more harm than good to the child. These thoughts also tend to be accompanied by other problems, such as generalized and constant anxiety.
On the other hand, this symptom can manifest itself regardless of whether the mother is getting her job done correctly or not. In general, the problem is due to a series of irrational beliefs and not to a real flaw.
2- Sense of guilt
One of the most painful red flags of postpartum depression is guilt. In some cases, mothers with this problem condemn themselves, thinking they shouldn't feel that way. They believe they have a duty to be happier or that their inability to be happier with motherhood indicates that they are not prepared to experience it.
Sometimes these women feel a certain rejection towards i their children. They wonder why they are unable to love him as much and naturally as they had heard he would be. Ruminating so much on these ideas leads them to drift even further away from their children.
This problem is mainly caused by some very specific expectations about motherhood. Having a child will give wonderful moments, there are no doubts, but also bad moments. In any case, the postpartum phase really represents a hard blow, a change of life and identity that takes time to digest and which, moreover, is not easy, given the social expectations it assumes.
3- Emotions out of control
The last of the red flags of postpartum depression is the emergence of very powerful and constantly changing feelings. Thus, a mother with this problem may feel sad at one point and feel angry, cheerful or stressed the next. These changes they tend to drain the woman's energy and make her feel bad about herself.
In some ways, mood swings are normal after having a child, it happens to almost all women who give birth. However, in the case of postpartum depression, this symptom will be much more extreme.
Due to the intense emotions of stress and anxiety, all other feelings will also be out of control. Also, the irrational beliefs that usually accompany this condition can make this symptom worse.
What to do in case of postpartum depression?
Symptoms of this problem can become quite severe. However, first of all it is good to remember that it is normal for this moment to be complicated. It happens to many women and this does not mean that you become a bad mother or have a problem with no solution.
That said, if you think you are in full postpartum depression, we recommend that you seek help from a professional. A psychology professional who specializes in this disorder could help you manage your emotions and feelings. Moreover, he could help you enjoy a moment as special as motherhood much more.
