The period after birth brings about a 180-degree turn in the parent's lives. From being able to take time out for themselves to having sleepless nights, parents change their schedules to accommodate the baby. Being only introduced to the glitz and glam of having a child, the hardships are expressed light-heartedly. They ensure the dos and don’ts for the baby but are rarely concerned about their wellbeing.

By living in such a bubble, the parents fail to realise that postpartum appears different for everyone. The birth of a baby can kindle a wave of emotions, from happiness to fear and anxiety. Basing your opinions on just the pleasing instances can negate one’s unpleasant moments.

Now, this seeks an introduction to the "New Parent Blues."

New Parent Blues: Unravelling Its Meaning

Also referred to as the Baby Blues, these are the feelings of sadness that one may experience in the initial few days after having a baby. It can affect new parents of any caste, creed, race, sex, religion, etc. This mostly lasts from 2-3 days to 2 weeks mainly because of hormonal changes in the mother and emotional changes regarding adjusting to the new schedule, taking proper care of the baby, etc, in both mother and father. These feelings tend to be expressed as aloofness, depression, anger, frustration, etc.

Then how is this different from Postpartum Depression and Anxiety?

Postpartum Depression: Types, Symptoms and Treatment

There are two variations of Postpartum Depression: -

A.   Postpartum Depression

 Also known as PPD, it showcases more intense symptoms that last for extended periods as compared to the symptoms of ‘baby blues.’

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Symptoms

1.    Depressed mood or severe mood swings

2.    Difficulty in bonding with the child

3.    Withdrawing from near and dear ones

4.    Loss of appetite or eating more than usual

5.    Inability to sleep (insomnia) or sleeping too much

6.    Engulfing tiredness or loss of energy

7.    Less interest in activities that you used to enjoy

8.    Intense irritability and anger

9.    Severe anxiety and panic attacks

10. Thoughts of harming yourself or the baby, etc

Treatments

Treatment for postpartum depression depends on the type of symptoms and their intensity. These can involve:

1.    Medications- these involve giving antidepressants, like those used in many kinds of depression. But these might have side effects and may be unsafe if you are breastfeeding.

2.    Psychotherapy- aims to facilitate a positive change in clients by helping them understand the underlying troublesome emotions, thoughts or behaviour and deal with them effectively.

3.    Participating in Support Groups- These are groups or communities where people facing similar difficulties can come together and interact with each other, express their journey, and at the same time gain insights about themselves.

The Other Parent

These symptoms are primarily seen in new mothers. But this doesn’t eliminate the risk of developing postpartum depression in the other parent. Studies show that fathers can also go through postpartum depression. Postpartum depression in fathers, also called paternal postpartum depression, may show symptoms similar to that seen in mothers, such as feeling sad, tired, overwhelmed, anxious, etc. This can harm their relationship with each other and also the child's development.

B.   Postpartum Psychosis

A variation of postpartum depression is postpartum psychosis, wherein the mother can develop severe mental illnesses very quickly within the first three months of childbirth and needs immediate treatment to prevent any further harm, lose touch with her reality, and have auditory and visual hallucinations and delusions.

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Symptoms

These may include-

1.    Feeling confused and lost

2.    Having obsessive thoughts about your baby

3.    Having sleep issues

4.    Being too much energetic or/and feeling upset

5.    Lose touch with reality

6.    Auditory or visual hallucinations

7.    Delusions

8.    Attempting to harm yourself or your child

Treatment

This often requires getting admitted to the hospital and being put on medications.  The medications prescribed could be

·      Antipsychotic Drugs to help with manic symptoms like hallucinations or delusions

·      Mood Stabilizers to stabilize your mood and control symptoms from recurring

·      Antidepressants to help ease depressive symptoms

Postpartum Anxiety: Symptoms and Treatment

This involves excessive worrying after childbirth or adoption. People with postpartum anxiety may feel affected by constant worrying and are mostly nervous or panicked. This kind of worrying can be all-consuming and may cause you to have an irrational fear of unlikely events. Though the symptoms of postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression are similar, both are different from each other. PPD can cause the parent to feel sad, frequently crying or feel not being a good parent. Whereas in postpartum anxiety, the symptoms revolve around excessive worrying rather than extreme sadness.

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Symptoms

1.    Increased palpitations or heart rate

2.    Nausea or stomach aches

3.    Inability to breathe or falling short of breath

4.    Loss of appetite

5.    Inability to relax, racing thoughts about worst-case scenarios

6.    Irritability

7.    Being overly cautious

8.    Being controlling

These changes can be seen in both mothers and fathers.

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Treatment

1.    Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) involves changing behaviour and thought patterns, essential in unlearning negative thought patterns and learning healthier ones.

2.    Medications to improve your behavioural and emotional symptoms.

3.    Support groups to help you deal with your difficulties with community help.

Being a New Parent Is Not Easy; Support Is Key

Adjusting to having a baby can invoke a whirlwind of emotions, including unpleasant ones. However, having constant, recurring unpleasant memories along with visible changes in mood and behaviour is what requires the attention of a mental health professional. At Heart It Out, we assist you with 24/7 support. We have an excellent team of mental health professionals who can help you navigate. If you would like more details, you can contact us. Remember, it is not your fault that you are feeling this way. You can effectively embark on this new journey with proper support and cure.

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