What is Postpartum Depression ? What is the reason for Postpartum Depression ?
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a complex mixture of physical, emotional, and behavioral changes that occur in a woman after birth. The onset of PPD is a form of major depression that occurs within four weeks after birth. When diagnosing postpartum depression, not only the length of time between birth and its onset but also the severity of the depression is taken into consideration.
Postpartum depression is linked to the chemical, social, and psychological changes associated with having a baby. It is the description of the physical and emotional changes many new mothers experience. Postpartum depression can be treated with medication and counseling.
The rapid decline in hormones after birth causes chemical changes. The true link between this decline and depression is not yet clear. But it is known that the levels of estrogen and progesterone female reproductive hormones increase tenfold during pregnancy and drop immediately after birth. Levels of these hormones become pre-pregnancy within three days after birth. In addition to these chemical changes, the social and psychological changes associated with having a baby increase the risk of depression.
Symptoms of postpartum depression are similar to those experienced by all mothers after birth, such as lack of sleep, changes in appetite, extreme fatigue, decreased libido and ever-changing mood, all these symptoms are accompanied by major depression symptoms in postpartum depression. Major depression symptoms include: depressed mood, loss of pleasure, feeling worthless, hopelessness and helplessness, thoughts of death or suicide.