Many women experience postpartum depression and don’t even realize it. But is it because it mirrors other medical conditions that can easily be missed or it’s a lack of awareness? How do you accurately identify it in yourself or someone else? We turned to our go-to expert on all things psychology, Julianna Asare-Amankwah, Art Therapist & Counselor, Evolve Counsel to provide some insight.
How to identify it
“Identifying postpartum depression is tricky to spot from the outside because its symptoms such as loss of appetite, excessive fatigue, decreased libido or even increased irritability are similar to many other illnesses,” explains Asare-Amankwah.
It’s also likely to occur between one and four weeks post-delivery, although some women may experience it months after.
“It describes the range of physical and emotional changes new mothers experience. [This] is due to the psychological (personal readiness to be a mom or readiness to let go of your old sense of self), chemical (rapid drop in hormones after delivery) and social (readiness to take on the expected societal role now enforced on you or not fitting into that role) changes that occur in the body during pregnancy and after,” Asare-Amankwah elucidates. “Without treatment, the condition may worsen and lead to depression. Treatments may be in the form of antidepressants or counseling.”
What it’s like
Unsurprisingly, many new mothers are unprepared for the unique experiences that come with motherhood. From right after childbirth, some are unable to produce enough breast milk to feed and that alone is enough cause for anxiety. Pressure from society to breastfeed exclusively only adds to this overwhelming experience.
Others who may never have dealt with body image issues might find that to be their reality postpartum, especially if takes longer than usual to shed off pregnancy weight. From dealing with receding hairlines as a result of loss around edges to mood swings that may lead to sudden anger outbursts, a new mother is often slapped with a host of convoluted emotions that may be difficult for her to express.
Mind your approach
Asare-Amankwah cautions that if a friend or family member appears to withdraw, be slow to label her as a victim of postpartum depression. First, she advises, engage her and ask relevant questions to help you understand what is happening. Due to the intrusiveness of this, it’s important that you are close enough to the person to inquire. The following list highlights ways to spot symptoms in yourself.
- Are you having difficulty bonding with the baby?
- Do you feel like you can’t concentrate or make simple decisions?
- Feelings of sadness or do you cry a lot, even when you don’t know why?
- Are you exhausted, but you can’t sleep?
- Do you sleep too much?
- Are you aware of the reason you can’t stop eating, or you aren’t interested in food at all?
- Do you have various unexplained aches, pains, or illnesses?
- Why are you irritable, anxious, or angry, do you know?
- Do your moods change suddenly and without warning?
- Are you feeling out of control most of the time?
- Do you have difficulty remembering things?
- Have you lost interest in things you used to enjoy?
- Do you feel disconnected from your baby and wonder why you’re not filled with joy like you thought you’d be?
- Does everything feel overwhelming and hopeless?
- Do you often feel worthless and guilty about your feelings?
- Are you unable to open up to anyone because they’ll think you’re a bad mother or take your baby, so you withdraw?
- Do you want to escape from everyone and everything?
- Have you been experiencing intrusive thoughts about harming yourself or your baby?
How to help
Once postpartum depression is diagnosed in someone, you can help by hanging out with the person. According to Asare-Amankwah, this may help alleviate their depression.
“Whereas you may think they have their hands full so you don’t want to intrude, they may see it as abandonment,” she adds. “Obviously if you are quarantined together, sticking with the above is sufficient. If not, however, you may have to increase the number of times you reach out.”
Some other recommended ways to offer help is to cook meals to be stored in a freezer for them. And if you can, take care of their baby while they nap or take a break to pamper themselves at the spa.
Unfortunately, postpartum depression hits some women harder than others but with the right support system it can be overcome.