Learning about PPD

A few days back a local newspaper published a report ‘depressed mum hit tragedy baby’. It stated that the father admitted seeing his wife abusing their seven-week-old baby; she punched, threw and aggressively shook the infant.
 
This was a clear case of postpartum depression (PPD). To make it worse, the lady was already suffering from depression before conceiving.
 
Do we know what PPD is? Does it hit every new mum? Is it hormonal and do we have no control over it? These are the questions that crop up.

After delivery, estrogen, progesterone and other hormones secreted by the thyroid gland drop sharply in females leaving her with mood swings and crying. If it happens with every childbirth, then why do some women get depressed, some don’t and many women feel depressed at one childbirth and not at others. The exact medical reasons for PPD are still unknown.

To understand it better let’s look at the emotional reasons for PPD. Researchers have found the most common response is that mothers feel they have lost control over their life. They doubt their ability to take care of their newborn, a lot of guilt and helplessness is associated when they are unable to understand what is happening with them and their baby. Mums understand what I am talking about here, emotionally it is a roller coaster ride.

It is quite overwhelming trying to provide for your child while dealing with mood swings, sleeplessness and not getting any time for yourself. It leads to stress, anxiety, sadness, irritability and crying but normally it fades away and is replaced with excitement and the joy of being a mother. This is called baby blues.

If these baby blues are consistent, intense, long-lasting in nature and interfere with daily routines and the ability to take care of the baby, one should visit a doctor or therapist. It may be PPD and symptoms may include loss of appetite, sleeplessness, severe irritability, anger, loss of interest in intercourse, feelings of guilt and helplessness, severe mood swings, not feeling any attraction to baby, thought of harming oneself or baby and not being interested in family or friends.

The severe condition of PPD is called Post Partum Psychosis and signs of this stage are confusion, disorientation, hallucination, delusion, paranoia and attempts to harm baby or oneself.

What we need to be aware of is when baby blues are actually PPD. A new mother might not like this, but it is always good to seek professional help if symptoms do not fade away in two to three weeks.

Women who have a history of any psychological disorder like depression, anxiety, eating disorders, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder etc, should take extra care during pregnancy and after delivery. There should be regular supervision and support.

Now, let’s go back to the story about the mother who suffered from depression, even before conception. This results in high chances of being affected by a mental disorder after delivery, not just baby blues and the father has seen her condition. Is it not lack of awareness that the mother was not given help and support during these days and left alone with the baby?

Studies have shown that one in every seven woman go through it in one way or another. Researchers have also noted that mothers of newborns don’t come out and talk about it because they feel that they would be judged as bad mothers.

Education about baby blues/PPD during pregnancy is the solution. Mothers should be made aware that if they do not reveal their condition then it can be harmful to their babies. They must be made to understand that their own baby can become the victim of these stressful events. Repercussions can be seen in babies from behaviour problems to delays in speech.

Dr Puja Taneja Malhotra,
Ph.D. Psychology,
Psychological Consultant, Trainer & Coach.