Post by aka on Oct 16, 2007 6:30:49 GMT -5
What causes postnatal depression?
There is often a mixture of causes which can include any of the following. It is not usually just due to one simple reason.
Biological/physical causes
Sometimes there is depression in the family so the tendency for this kind of illness is inherited.
It can be partly be caused by being worn out and lack of sleep.
It can be caused by not enough thyroid hormone.
Psychological/emotional causes
Sometimes low self esteem (not feeling good about yourself as a person) can contribute to depression.
Some mothers are troubled by memories of their own parents and how they were parented.
It sometimes happens to women who tend to be perfectionists, and want to do everything perfectly (no- one can do that with a new baby), and then blame themselves when they find they can't.
Some women have a need to be in control (again not possible all the time with a new baby).
It can come from grief, eg for previous loss of a child or a pregnancy.
Social reasons
There can also be social causes that contribute to post natal depression.
It could be changed social circumstances. You might be away from family and supports at this time when every new mother needs support, e.g. your parents may not be there.
There could be relationship problems with your partner. The big adjustment of having a baby can be a time when partners lose the ability to understand and support each other - just when you need it most. Depression is also quite common in partners, due again to the big changes.
Sometimes there are problems getting on with other family members.
How do you know it is post natal depression?
These are some of the things that could be happening to you that can be symptoms of postnatal depression.
How you feel and think
Mood changes - feeling anxious, depressed, tearful for a lot of the time.
Thought changes - having gloomy, hopeless thoughts in your head.
Obsessional - always seem to be worried. Worrying about your feelings for the baby. Not being able to stop the worries going round and round in your mind.
Behaviour changes - not being able to get going, sitting around all the time, not taking an interest in how you look or taking care of yourself.
Problems with organising routines and activities.
Physical changes - lacking energy, poor concentration, always tired (most new mothers might say this), sleep difficulty (lying awake after feeding the baby). Sometimes there can be excessive sleep, poor appetite or excessive eating for comfort. You don't feel like sex (many new mothers feel this at least for a time), crying a lot.
Getting on with others
Every little thing makes you cross and irritable.
Getting angry with people a lot (there may be other reasons for this such as changes in family life).
Finding it hard to love the baby (many women feel this at first but with depression it hangs around - feeling you can't relate to the baby, then feeling guilty about it and so on).
Feeling angry with other family members such as other children.
Problems with friends.
If you have post natal depression these things are not your fault, you can't just 'pull yourself out of it'. You need help.
How you know when more help is needed?
If you feel bad enough to ask for help - but often mothers can feel really bad and not ask for help so don't rely on this.
If the problems have been there without improving for at least two weeks.
If you have thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby.
If you don't feel able to love the baby and it isn't getting better (it often takes a bit of time at the start).
If there are ongoing problems with getting to sleep, or waking up early or wanting to sleep most of the time.
If you are not able to do the everyday things that make your home work - get dressed, bath yourself and the baby, get meals etc.
Problems with your relationship with your partner, friends or family starting or getting worse.
You have had depressive illness before.
You or others are really worried about what is happening.
What you can do
Talk it over right now with someone supportive, e.g. your partner, mother, sister, other relation, girlfriend.
Talk it over as soon as possible with your family doctor, obstetrician, pastor or other trusted person.
In South Australia you could contact OPND (see Resources below) - they prefer to be involved after you have spoken to a doctor. In South Australia contact Helen Mayo House staff (see Resources below). In South Australia call the Child and Youth Health Parent Helpline 1300 364 100.
Information for partners
Postnatal depression is not something your partner can help, and her being angry and irritable with you is part of the illness. Try to let it pass by you rather than reacting. Avoid responding to anger with anger.
Postnatal depression takes a long time to heal - don't expect too much too soon.
Try to understand your partner's feelings. Even though it does not seem reasonable to you, it is real for her at the time.
Spend time with your baby. Making a close relationship with your baby and doing lots of caring for him or her will help the baby to be able to relate to your partner when she is better and help the baby to not miss out while she is not well.
At the same time reassure your partner that you are wanting to support her, not take her place.
When women are depressed and tired sexual intercourse may seem like just another demand. With patience and understanding things will get better.
Things that won't help your partner are:
telling her to pull herself together
telling her to be grateful that she has a lovely baby
telling her she will get through it, everyone feels bad sometimes
telling her to relax and she will feel better.
Take care of yourself. Make sure you have some breaks because you will probably be your partner's best support and you need to ensure you can stay in there for the long haul.
Let your family and friends know what is happening. Support from those close to you will be a big help at this time.
Don't be too proud to accept help. Everyone needs help sometimes.
It can be very hard for partners to keep coming home to an unhappy house but it is important to hang in there - getting better takes a long time.
Medication
Most women with PND will eventually feel better and more able to do things they enjoy but that can take many months and sometimes years.
Anti depressant medication may speed up this recovery time and help mothers to manage, especially to sleep better.
Some medications can be used safely while breastfeeding but occasionally breastfeeding needs to stop.
Talk to your doctor about medication. Depression, like other illnesses, often needs specific treatment, not only 'support.'
www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=114&np=141&id=1537
There is often a mixture of causes which can include any of the following. It is not usually just due to one simple reason.
Biological/physical causes
Sometimes there is depression in the family so the tendency for this kind of illness is inherited.
It can be partly be caused by being worn out and lack of sleep.
It can be caused by not enough thyroid hormone.
Psychological/emotional causes
Sometimes low self esteem (not feeling good about yourself as a person) can contribute to depression.
Some mothers are troubled by memories of their own parents and how they were parented.
It sometimes happens to women who tend to be perfectionists, and want to do everything perfectly (no- one can do that with a new baby), and then blame themselves when they find they can't.
Some women have a need to be in control (again not possible all the time with a new baby).
It can come from grief, eg for previous loss of a child or a pregnancy.
Social reasons
There can also be social causes that contribute to post natal depression.
It could be changed social circumstances. You might be away from family and supports at this time when every new mother needs support, e.g. your parents may not be there.
There could be relationship problems with your partner. The big adjustment of having a baby can be a time when partners lose the ability to understand and support each other - just when you need it most. Depression is also quite common in partners, due again to the big changes.
Sometimes there are problems getting on with other family members.
How do you know it is post natal depression?
These are some of the things that could be happening to you that can be symptoms of postnatal depression.
How you feel and think
Mood changes - feeling anxious, depressed, tearful for a lot of the time.
Thought changes - having gloomy, hopeless thoughts in your head.
Obsessional - always seem to be worried. Worrying about your feelings for the baby. Not being able to stop the worries going round and round in your mind.
Behaviour changes - not being able to get going, sitting around all the time, not taking an interest in how you look or taking care of yourself.
Problems with organising routines and activities.
Physical changes - lacking energy, poor concentration, always tired (most new mothers might say this), sleep difficulty (lying awake after feeding the baby). Sometimes there can be excessive sleep, poor appetite or excessive eating for comfort. You don't feel like sex (many new mothers feel this at least for a time), crying a lot.
Getting on with others
Every little thing makes you cross and irritable.
Getting angry with people a lot (there may be other reasons for this such as changes in family life).
Finding it hard to love the baby (many women feel this at first but with depression it hangs around - feeling you can't relate to the baby, then feeling guilty about it and so on).
Feeling angry with other family members such as other children.
Problems with friends.
If you have post natal depression these things are not your fault, you can't just 'pull yourself out of it'. You need help.
How you know when more help is needed?
If you feel bad enough to ask for help - but often mothers can feel really bad and not ask for help so don't rely on this.
If the problems have been there without improving for at least two weeks.
If you have thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby.
If you don't feel able to love the baby and it isn't getting better (it often takes a bit of time at the start).
If there are ongoing problems with getting to sleep, or waking up early or wanting to sleep most of the time.
If you are not able to do the everyday things that make your home work - get dressed, bath yourself and the baby, get meals etc.
Problems with your relationship with your partner, friends or family starting or getting worse.
You have had depressive illness before.
You or others are really worried about what is happening.
What you can do
Talk it over right now with someone supportive, e.g. your partner, mother, sister, other relation, girlfriend.
Talk it over as soon as possible with your family doctor, obstetrician, pastor or other trusted person.
In South Australia you could contact OPND (see Resources below) - they prefer to be involved after you have spoken to a doctor. In South Australia contact Helen Mayo House staff (see Resources below). In South Australia call the Child and Youth Health Parent Helpline 1300 364 100.
Information for partners
Postnatal depression is not something your partner can help, and her being angry and irritable with you is part of the illness. Try to let it pass by you rather than reacting. Avoid responding to anger with anger.
Postnatal depression takes a long time to heal - don't expect too much too soon.
Try to understand your partner's feelings. Even though it does not seem reasonable to you, it is real for her at the time.
Spend time with your baby. Making a close relationship with your baby and doing lots of caring for him or her will help the baby to be able to relate to your partner when she is better and help the baby to not miss out while she is not well.
At the same time reassure your partner that you are wanting to support her, not take her place.
When women are depressed and tired sexual intercourse may seem like just another demand. With patience and understanding things will get better.
Things that won't help your partner are:
telling her to pull herself together
telling her to be grateful that she has a lovely baby
telling her she will get through it, everyone feels bad sometimes
telling her to relax and she will feel better.
Take care of yourself. Make sure you have some breaks because you will probably be your partner's best support and you need to ensure you can stay in there for the long haul.
Let your family and friends know what is happening. Support from those close to you will be a big help at this time.
Don't be too proud to accept help. Everyone needs help sometimes.
It can be very hard for partners to keep coming home to an unhappy house but it is important to hang in there - getting better takes a long time.
Medication
Most women with PND will eventually feel better and more able to do things they enjoy but that can take many months and sometimes years.
Anti depressant medication may speed up this recovery time and help mothers to manage, especially to sleep better.
Some medications can be used safely while breastfeeding but occasionally breastfeeding needs to stop.
Talk to your doctor about medication. Depression, like other illnesses, often needs specific treatment, not only 'support.'
www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=114&np=141&id=1537