Tips by a Therapist: 6 Ways to Handle Postnatal Depression
Tips by a Therapist: 6 Ways to Handle Postnatal Depression
Childbirth is a life-altering process for everyone in a family, more so for a woman who may experience postpartum/postnatal depression after childbirth. Although common among women, men may also experience postnatal depression. We have come up with this blog as we need more awareness around this topic. In this blog, we will tell you the symptoms, the causes and the methods to handle postnatal depression.
Symptoms of postnatal depression
Many women feel anxious, irritable, and tearful in the first week after giving birth to a child. This is termed “baby blues” and is considered completely normal.
The problem arises when this anxiousness does not go away and lasts for more than two weeks.
What are the signs of postnatal depression?
Persistent sadness and melancholy.
Loss of interest in social activities.
Lack of stamina, loss of concentration.
Difficulty bonding with your baby.
OCD – is the baby alright?
Feeling estranged from your partner.
Causes of Postnatal Depression
Though the exact cause of postnatal depression is completely clear, there are a few things that make you susceptible to it –
– troublesome relationship with the spouse
– having no one to support and assist you during pregnancy.
– a history of mental health-related issues, particularly chronic anxiety/depression, earlier in your life
– physical or psychological abuse, such as domestic violence
– the death of loved ones during the time of pregnancy
– complications during pregnancy
and even if you haven’t experienced any of the above, you may still undergo postnatal depression, because having a baby in itself is a life-changing thing.
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How can you manage postnatal depression?
So many parents suffer from postnatal depression, it is imperative to take care of their mental health. So if you or your loved ones are suffering from it, please go ahead and read the tips given by a therapist to handle your depression –
Spend more time with loved ones
Be around people who care for you and who support you. At such times you might need some reassuring words and kind gestures.
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Spend time with yourself
Although we know it’s tough to take care of yourself when you have to focus all your energy on rearing and feeding the child, you should steal a little time for yourself. In this time you can engage in activities that give you joy and help you relax. You can play music, dance a little, take a walk or draw something. It entirely depends on you!
Connect with other moms
It’s always good to connect with new moms like you. When you have a group, you can always share your feelings and experiences. You can also learn some tricks to support yourself during this transition period from fellow moms.
Take help to look after the baby
The birth of the baby may change your dynamic with your partner a little. You might find it difficult to spend time with your partner. You might find it difficult to spend time with yourself and you also might find it difficult to find time for the things you love doing. This can become a cause of frustration. So in such cases, you can ask your family member or someone reliable to babysit.
Rest
during the first year, it is taken that your sleep cycle will get affected as the baby needs to be breastfed frequently. So you may have to find time in the daytime to relax and rest. You can take help from your family and your partner and ask them to engage with the baby for time being.
Seek help from professionals
Just because people tell you “it happens with everyone”, does not mean you should ignore the signs. When you see that the depression symptoms aren’t going away and are bothering you, you should consult a therapist. The therapist will help you to navigate this tough time. It is better if you help your therapist to connect with your doctor so that they can work and have the relevant information about your pregnancy and related issues if any.
Antidepressants may be prescribed if other remedies aren’t proving helpful.
Caution – Do not try to take any antidepressants without a doctor’s prescription.
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