Bringing home a new baby is one of the happiest moments in a mother's life, whether it's her first or fifth child. But what about when it's not a happy time? Nearly all mothers experience some sort of "baby blues" in the first few days after giving birth -- it's normal and it usually lifts on its own in about a week or two. About 5 to 25 percent of new mothers, though, will continue to suffer. These women are suffering from postpartum depression; they need the support of their family and friends, in addition to treatment from a mental health professional to overcome their illness.
Did you know that men are also vulnerable to postpartum depression? Here we have five things family members need to know about postpartum depression, from the symptoms and the treatments to how it affects fathers as well.
Major depression, as well as bipolar disorder and dysthymic disorder (chronic, mild depression) are types of mood disorders, and according to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 20.9 million Americans ages 18 and older suffer from some type of mood disorder in a given year. Postpartum depression is a mood disorder, similar to major depression.
Symptoms of postpartum depression may include:
Mental health professionals believe that most mental illnesses are caused by a combination of chemical imbalances in the brain along with environmental factors that may trigger onset or episodes. It's important to recognize that new mothers suffering from postpartum depression, just like those suffering from major depression, need treatment and support.
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One important factor in determining whether a woman is at a higher risk for developing postpartum depression is how she felt during her pregnancy. According to the March of Dimes, one out of five women has symptoms of depression during pregnancy (and one in four women will suffer from depression at some point). For some women, the depression lingers after they give birth. "Fifty percent of postpartum depressive episodes start during pregnancy," says Catherine Birndorf, M.D., a psychiatrist specializing in Reproductive Psychiatry and Psychotherapy. "It doesn't matter when or what caused it, just that it was a depression that was untreated."
Did You Know?
In a study presented in February 2010 at the annual Pregnancy Meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, researchers reported that acupuncture might be an effective way to treat depression during pregnancy.
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Understanding Postpartum Depression
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Life and family dynamics change greatly when a new baby comes home -- as such, women aren't the only ones at risk for suffering from postpartum depression. Researchers are just beginning to understand that men, too, suffer from postpartum depression (also known as paternal postnatal depression).
A study conducted at the Center for Pediatric Research at the Eastern Virginia Medical School and presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), found that one out of 10 first-time dads met the criteria for moderate to severe postpartum depression. Postpartum depression in men doesn't necessarily look the same as it does in women. While women are often anxious or withdrawn, men may become irritable or aggressive.
Researchers also found that parents' depression affected their children's development. In the study, it was found that parents suffering from depression were less likely to read, sing and tell stories to their babies, and when dads didn't read to their kids, it affected vocabulary at 24 months.
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Treatment plans depend on the severity of the depression and are created on a case-by-case basis. "Treatment is very similar to treating a depressive episode, but when you're breastfeeding, you may be less apt to try medications," says Birndorf. "A lot of women don't come for treatment because they don't think they can be treated while breastfeeding. You have to be a little more cautious, but, generally speaking, treatment includes therapy and medications."
In a 20-year study conducted by researchers at Women's Behavioral HealthCare at the University of Pittsburgh's Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, it was concluded that while a minute amount of the drugs is passed through breast milk, any side effects tend to be short-term and not harmful to the infant.
Ultimately, treating PPD with prescriptions comes down to a risk-benefit decision. "Healthy mothers equal healthy babies," says Birndorf.
Did You Know?
According to a study published in the February 2010 issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, SSRI types of antidepressants such as Prozac and Paxil may be linked to a delayed start of full milk secretion.
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How are you? When you ask that question, do you really intend to listen to the response or is it more like a greeting?
Look a new mom in the eye and ask her how she is -- and really mean it. "In my office, I look a patient in the eye and ask, 'How are you doing?'" explains Birndorf. It's a simple question that anyone, be it a husband, partner, friend, pediatrician or ob/gyn, can ask. Many new mothers are reluctant to admit they feel anxious, overwhelmed or detached, and family members aren't sure what to say. "The shame is profound," says Birndorf. "Set up the question to remove the stigma," she suggests, "'Postpartum can be a really difficult time -- how are you doing?'"
Be ready to really listen to the response and, whatever the reply, be willing to help.
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Video - Surviving Motherhood: Postpartum Depression
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