In honor of January being Mental Health Awareness Month, I thought I would make a post on my personal experience with Mental Health issues. My experience was with postpartum depression. Instead of writing a post, I decided to make a video instead. Please watch the video and then read the symptoms of postpartum depression that are listed below. You never know, you could save a life.
Here are the symptoms of the baby blues and these usually last only a week or two at the most:
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Sadness
- Irritability
- Crying
- Decreased concentration
- Trouble sleeping
Postpartum depression may seem like the baby blues at first but the symptoms are more intense and longer lasting and eventually will interfere with your ability to care for your yourself and your family and also hinder your ability to handle other daily tasks. Untreated, postpartum depression may last for many months or longer, sometimes years.The symptoms may include all of the symptoms of the baby blues and as well as:
- Loss of appetite
- Insomnia
- Intense irritability and anger
- Overwhelming fatigue
- Loss of interest in sex
- Lack of joy in life
- Feelings of shame, guilt or inadequacy
- Severe mood swings
- Difficulty bonding with your baby
- Withdrawal from family and friends
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
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postpartum psychosis is a rare condition that typically develops within the first two weeks after delivery but can occur later due to untreated postpartum depression. The signs and symptoms are even more severe. Signs and symptoms of postpartum psychosis may include all of the signs of postpartum depression and as well as:
- Confusion and disorientation
- Hallucinations and delusions
- Paranoia
- Attempts to harm yourself or your baby
If you're feeling depressed after your baby's birth, you may be not want to admit it or be embarrassed or ashamed about it but it's important to call your doctor if the signs and symptoms of depression:
- Don't get begin to get better after two weeks
- Are getting worse
- Make it hard for you to care for yourself or your family
- Make it hard to complete everyday tasks
- Include thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
If you suspect that you're developing postpartum psychosis, seek medical attention immediately. DO NOT WAIT AND/OR HOPE FOR IMPROVEMENT. SEEK PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL CARE IMMEDIATELY. Postpartum psychosis may lead to life-threatening thoughts or behaviors aimed towards yourself or your family or both.