While both situations do share several symptoms, pregnancy depression is unrelated to childbirth, while postpartum sadness occurs after the birth of a baby
Depression is a common and serious medical illness many people across the world go through. While there can be many reasons for it, experts believe that, apart from being genetic, there are lifestyle and dietary changes that can cause it. Depression is associated with the imbalance of three neurotransmitters - dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. One of the most underrated and least talked about is depression among women—pregnant or postpartum.
While both situations do share several symptoms, pregnancy depression is unrelated to childbirth—while postpartum sadness occurs after the birth of a baby—and is often misunderstood and not even diagnosed, causing both mental and physical health issues among women.
What is pregnancy depression?
Pregnancy depression, also known as prenatal depression, can affect a woman at any time during the gestation period. According to doctors, prenatal depression can lead to extreme sadness, apart from heightened anxiety, fatigue, and trouble sleeping. If you have this mood disorder, you may withdraw from family and friends and not have any interest in activities you once enjoyed.
Experts say it is also important to note that prenatal depression is different from the “baby blues" - which usually resolve within two to three weeks. Meanwhile, prenatal depression would not go away without treatment.
Who gets prenatal depression?
While any pregnant woman can be affected by this mental health issue, you are more likely to have the condition if you or your immediate family members have a history of:
Anxiety disorders
Panic attacks
Mental illness
Mood disorders
Prenatal depression is also common among women who:
Are carrying a child with a health problem or special needs
Are dealing with stressful life events like health issues, financial problems, work issues, or relationship-related stress
Have changes in body and pregnancy discomfort
Are expecting twins or triplets
Did not have a planned pregnancy
Do not have a supportive partner
Have undergone trouble getting pregnant due to infertility issues
Doctors say pregnancy depression is among the most common issues pregnant women face—with statistics revealing around 5 per cent of women across the world have undergone this mental health problem.
What are the signs and symptoms of prenatal depression?
While pregnancy-related depression can last for weeks or months, it is important to identify the symptoms, which include:
Anxiety, excessive worrying
Changes in appetite and unexplained weight loss
Decreased interest in activities you like
Always feel fatigued and sleep more
Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and guilt
Irritability and excessive crying
Loss of interest in sex
Physical symptoms like headaches, muscle pain, and gastric issues
Problems concentrating, remembering things, reasoning or making decisions
According to doctors, many women with this disorder have thoughts about harming themselves or the developing fetus as well.
What is postpartum depression?
Postpartum depression is a serious type of mental health issue that affects more than 15 per cent of women across the world. It involves extreme feelings of sadness, depression, tiredness, and being overwhelmed after having a baby. Doctors say it is normal to have feelings of worry or doubt, especially if you are a first-time mother, but if your feelings include extreme sadness or loneliness, severe mood swings, and frequent crying spells, you may have postpartum depression.
It does not just affect the birth mother but can be diagnosed in surrogates and adoptive parents as well due to hormonal, physical, emotional, financial, and social changes after having a baby.
According to experts, postpartum depression is a far more serious condition than baby blues, affecting about 1 in 7 new moms. Doctors say having postpartum depression once can increase your chance of having it to 30 per cent in each pregnancy. You may experience alternating highs and lows, frequent crying, irritability, and fatigue, as well as feelings of guilt, anxiety, and inability to care for your baby or yourself.
(Pic: NIH)
What are the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression?
Symptoms range from mild to severe and may appear within a week of delivery or gradually, even up to a year later. Although symptoms can last several months, treatment with psychotherapy or antidepressants is very effective. Apart from feeling sad, a few of the signs are:
Feeling on the edge
Loss of interest in hobbies
Changes in appetite or not eating
Loss of energy and motivation
Trouble sleeping or wanting to sleep all the time
Crying for no reason or excessively
Difficulty thinking or focusing
Thoughts of suicide or wishing you were dead
Lack of interest in your baby or feeling anxious around your baby
Thoughts of hurting your baby or feeling like you don't want your baby
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