Let’s talk about postnatal depression
Actualizado: 8 may
"During pregnancy and the postpartum period, biochemical, hormonal, psychological and social changes take place, creating a greater vulnerability in women to developing depressive symptoms. Due to a lack of information, these symptoms are often not recognised as an illness. Instead, they are frequently attributed to a mother’s supposed inability, lack of strength, or lack of determination to cope with motherhood.”
For this reason, many women who do not receive timely assessment and support are unable to access appropriate treatment. As a result, symptoms may intensify or become chronic, negatively affecting the quality of life of the mother, the newborn baby, the partner and the wider family.
There are three psychiatric mood-related conditions associated with postnatal depression, which can be divided into: postpartum blues, postnatal depression and postpartum psychosis. “Baby blues” or postpartum melancholy lies at the mildest end of the spectrum, while postpartum psychosis is considered the most severe form of postnatal depression.
Baby Blues
Commonly referred to as the “Baby Blues”, this condition is described as a temporary mood disturbance and is often experienced as sadness after giving birth. Mothers may experience episodes of crying. The intensity and duration vary, and symptoms usually appear between two and four days after childbirth.
This postpartum sadness is mainly linked to hormonal changes, as well as the social and family adjustments that mothers face after birth.
Symptoms generally resolve spontaneously within two to three weeks after childbirth and usually do not require medical or psychological treatment.
As part of the support process, it is often recommended that mothers receive companionship and family support during this period, helping them move through this stage with greater ease. However, it is important to emphasise that if symptoms worsen or have not disappeared after two to three weeks, a healthcare professional should be consulted.
Postnatal Depression
Postnatal depression, on the other hand, involves persistent symptoms that may begin during pregnancy or after childbirth. The main symptoms linked specifically to motherhood include difficulty bonding with the baby, feelings of ambivalence towards the child, overprotectiveness, breastfeeding difficulties, difficulty and/or inability to care for the newborn, obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours related to the baby, negative thoughts towards the baby, especially fears of harming the baby, and thoughts of self-harm or harming the child.
Symptoms may include:
Persistent sadness or frequent crying
Loss of interest or reduced ability to enjoy everyday activities
Changes in eating and sleeping patterns (particularly insomnia)
Chronic tiredness or fatigue
Anxiety, which may escalate into panic attacks
Feeling overwhelmed, helpless or incapable
Low self-worth and self-criticism, often related to feeling inadequate as a mother
Difficulty, reluctance or inability to seek help and support
Irritability
Problems with concentration, attention and memory
Difficulty bonding with the baby
Feelings of ambivalence towards the child
Overprotectiveness towards the baby
Breastfeeding difficulties
Difficulty and/or inability to care for the newborn
Obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours related to the baby (for example, repeatedly checking whether the baby is breathing while asleep, or excessively washing and disinfecting the baby’s belongings)
Negative thoughts about the baby, particularly fears of causing harm
Feelings of guilt
Thoughts of harming oneself or the baby
Distressing or frightening thoughts
Suicidal thoughts or ideation
It is important to note that mood disorders such as postnatal depression must be diagnosed by a qualified healthcare professional. This article aims to guide and inform mothers, fathers and families so that symptoms can be recognised and professional support sought when necessary.
Early identification and preventative intervention for women at risk of developing postnatal depression can help prevent symptoms from worsening and support recovery. Treatment generally involves two forms of therapeutic intervention:
Therapy (individual or group therapy), and/or
Medication
In moderate to severe cases of postnatal depression, the ideal approach is often a combination of both.
Referencias: Medina-Serdán, E. (2013). Diferencias entre la depresión postparto, la psicosis postparto y la tristeza postparto. Perinatología y reproducción humana, 27(3), 185-193.
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