What Postpartum Depression Really Looks Like. This is the first part of a series that I am doing on women’s mental healthcare topics.
This video was based on a question that Dr. Mohammed El Sherif, an obstetrician-gynecologist, asked. He asked me to help him understand postpartum depression.

Perinatal depression is a form of depression that occurs during, after and before pregnancy. It’s known as antenatal depression during pregnancy and postpartum depression anytime after 4-6 weeks. Many more women develop baby blues which is mostly sadness, irritability and sleeping problems, but baby blues resolve within the first 10 days.

Depression after pregnancy can cause sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness. It can cause problems with functioning and lasts longer. These symptoms can last from weeks to months. This can be a sign that a recurring illness is beginning in a woman’s life. It may last for many months or even years.

Postpartum depression can be as severe as other forms of depression. These symptoms include a depressed mood, low appetite, and poor sleep. This could look like your baby having trouble sleeping at night. Suicidality, irritability and decreased appetite can also be symptoms. These symptoms can show up in the first 72 hours after you give birth. It can happen quickly.

This video explains what causes postpartum depressive symptoms and the risks involved. In another video I will discuss how to treat postpartum depression.

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References
Marlene P. Freeman, Paul E. Keck, Jr., And Susan L. Mcelroy. Postpartum Depression with Bipolar Disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry 2001 158:4, 652-652

Ellen Leibenluft and Kimberly A. Yonkers are M.D. The Ties that Bind: Maternal and Infant Interactions and the Neurocirry of Postpartum Depression. American Journal of Psychiatry Vol 167, Issue 1101 Nov 2010

Feldman R., Granat A., Pariente C., Kanety H., Kunit J. Gilboa–Schechtman E. Maternal depression, anxiety, and infant social engagement, fear regulation and stress reactivity. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2009; 48: 919-927
Park M, Brain U, Grunau RE, Diamond A, Oberlander TF. The trajectories of maternal depression from pregnancy to three years after delivery are linked with children’s behavior at three and six years and their executive functions. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2018 Jun; 21(3): 353-363. Epub 2018 Jan 16.

Evans J, Melotti R, Heron J, Ramchandani P, Wiles N, Murray L, Stein A. A longitudinal study on the timing of maternal depression symptoms and child cognitive growth: J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2012 Jun; 53(6): 632-40. Epub 2011 Dec 23.

Disclaimer: The information contained on this channel is intended for education purposes only and does not constitute specific/personal medical advice. The videos and the answers to questions/comments do not create a doctor-patient relationship. These videos may be helpful for you if you are a patient of your own doctor.

How to Help Someone With Depression

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with depression, you may be wondering how to help them. If your loved one is depressed, you can help by keeping appointments, researching treatment options, and sticking to the treatment plan prescribed. Remember, recovery from depression does not happen overnight, and you should have realistic expectations for your loved one. As a family member, you can also lead by example by maintaining a positive attitude, not drinking alcohol, and seeking support.

What Are The Signs Of Depression

It is normal to feel depressed, sad, or lonely from time to time, but when these feelings are persistent and last for an extended period of times, they are known as depression. When these feelings persist for months or years, they can become severe enough to prevent a person from living an active and fulfilling life. If you are experiencing depression symptoms, you should consult a physician as soon as possible. Untreated depression can lead to physical pain, as well as thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

A common symptom of depression is physical fatigue. Getting out of bed is a struggle. You may find yourself falling asleep excessively, or you may even have trouble waking up. A depressed person will have trouble concentrating or completing even basic tasks. They may also be irritable or risky in their behaviour. Men who suffer from depression are more likely to seek medical help than women, and many sufferers are reluctant to disclose their condition to their doctor.

What Are The Symptoms Of Depression

If you’re struggling with depression, the symptoms of the illness can make life feel unbearable. Symptoms of depression include fatigue, a lack of interest in activities and a persistent feeling of worthlessness. Individuals suffering from depression can find it difficult to move on from mistakes. They may become preoccupied with trivial events or mistakenly believe that a minor error shows their inadequacy. The NHS recommends that people with depressive symptoms see a doctor if these symptoms are persisting.

A doctor may be able to diagnose depression for several reasons. A doctor may want to ask about recent traumatic events and other factors that may have contributed to the symptoms. Some medical conditions are not related to depression. A thyroid disorder may also contribute to depression. While there is no formal test to diagnose depression, your physician can determine if you have a thyroid condition. Once a doctor has ruled out these medical conditions, they may prescribe an antidepressant or suggest a different course of treatment.

How To Support Somone With Depression

If you have a loved one who suffers from depression, you might be wondering how you can support them during this time. This can be a difficult task, and caring for someone with depression is intense work. It is important to make time for your own well-being. Listed below are some tips that can help you care for a loved one battling depression. Follow these tips to give your loved one the support they need.

Learn more about depression. Take time to understand what this illness is and get help when you can. Keeping a secret about depression can be dangerous and unhelpful. Instead, develop a small group of family and friends who can support your loved one. Remember, it is important to keep your own well-being in check, so do not overload yourself with helping others. Also, don’t get stuck in your own depression. Try not to take your loved one’s negative behavior personally.

How to talk to someone about depression

Depression can affect someone’s self-esteem and daily tasks. People who suffer from depression often feel hopeless and helpless. Often they self-medicate to avoid feeling any pain, but this is counterproductive. Instead of making judgments, ask if they’d like your help. It’s likely they’ve thought about your offer of help. Taking action may make the person feel better about themselves. In the meantime, remember to remain patient and understanding.

The first step in helping a loved one with depression is understanding the condition. A person suffering from depression has difficulties understanding the experience of others. It’s important to keep in mind that your loved one may not understand your perspective. Ask them questions about what they’re feeling, and be sure to validate that the treatment is working. Similarly, you can offer your support and advice to someone who is depressed. Remember, this is not a sign of weakness.

Encouraging the person to get help with their depression

When encouraging the person with depression to get help, it’s important to match your language to their level of understanding. Although it might feel uncomfortable at first, it’s important to recognize that your loved one still needs help managing daily tasks. If you can’t afford to give them professional help, you can pitch in by offering to attend therapy appointments with them. That way, they can hear from a mental health provider directly.

When approaching someone suffering from depression, remember that they may not see your concern as a cause for alarm. Although they might have a general understanding of what they’re experiencing, they may still feel embarrassed or reluctant to seek help. However, this does not mean you should make light of the situation or encourage them to cheer up. This illness is a serious medical condition and isn’t easily treated by merely telling them to cheer up or pull themselves together.

https://adhdadulttreatment.com/how-to-help-someone-with-depression-5/

If you never exercised and just walking up a few stairs made your heart race and sweat pour down your back and left you gasping for breath, how would you change that? It would be necessary to get out and walk up lots of stairs. The same process is used to recover from anxiety disorders.

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