Giving birth to a new child is one of the most positive events that should occur during your lifetime. However, Postnatal Depression or the 'Baby Blues' is more common than the general public would believe. Somewhere between ten and fifteen percent of mothers will suffer from this condition in some shape or form. It is not unusual for the drain and strain of giving birth to leave you feeling run down. The more sinister symptoms of Postnatal Depression however that develop normally in the first month after birth can last for months and be severe. An overburden of stress during this time can be hard to deal with and therefore stress reduction and it's management should be taken as a priority.
It is estimated that 1 in 10 women develop Postnatal Depression. Usually the condition develops within four weeks after the birth of the baby. However, it can take up to a year for some women to develop full-blown Postnatal Depression. Without the correct treatment or understanding the condtion is very likely to worsen and potentially impare the bond you create with your new child. So how do you know if you have the condition and how can you cope if you do?
The Signs and Symptoms of Postnatal Depression
The main sign of Postnatal Depression is constantly feeling low. It could become worse at specific times throughout the day but that is not always the case. You will also be extremely irritable. Most women who develop Postnatal Depression will take it out on their partners. This causes a lot of stress and tension within the relationship and it can often lead to feelings of guilt.
Perhaps the most distressing symptom of Postnatal Depression however is a detachment from your child. This is likely due to the worry that you feel over the baby's health. Worrying about every little thing is completely normal in Postnatal Depression and you may find that you are looking for constant reassurance from your partner.
Other common signs of the condition include loss of appetite, feeling constantly tired, losing interest in sex and you may not enjoy anything anymore. It really can be a distressing condition and without treatment, it can potentially last years.
How to Cope If You Develop Postnatal Depression
If you are suffering from Postnatal Depression then the good news is that there is help available. You do not have to suffer in silence. A visit to your physician without doubt should be your first priority. They will be able to fully diagnose the problem and help you to find ways to combat it. It may be suggested in some cases that anti-depressant type medication is the best course of action or counselling sessions may also be recommended.
It would definitely help you to talk to your partner and anybody else who will listen and let them know how you are feeling. Helping you to limit the build up of stress which on a daily basis is a top priority. Many women feel ashamed to admit how they are feeling. The main thing to remember is that Postnatal Depression is actually quite a common condition and it is not your fault if you develop it.
Communicating with those around you is so important, do not attempt everything on your own. Like other forms of depression, a high percentage of women attempt to cope silently with this condition which can make it very tough. Trying to cope on your own and failing to "snap yourself out of it" will only lead to further negative feelings. Always be willing to accept any support offered and whenever possible treat yourself to as much quality rest as you can. New mothers need to try to get as much rest as they when they have a new baby. So sleep as much as possible and that will ensure that you are refreshed and better able to deal with your daily stresses.
Try to get as much exercise as possible. Taking your baby for a walk in the park could be great exercise. If you can get a babysitter, why not take some time out and go for a walk yourself? Getting out of the house on your own will really help you to recharge your batteries.
Finally try not to blame yourself or your partner for the way that you are feeling. Communicating with your partner and family about how you currently feel is important, being affectionate also with your partner and keeping that bond with them intact. Daily hugs for example can be very therapeutic and it can comfort you when you need it the most.
Postnatal Depression can go away by itself but the road to recovery may be extremely stressful and traumatic. Therefore, it is always better to get help and to admit to how you are feeling. The condition can really spoil the experience of being a new mother and it can weaken your relationships with your partner as well as your baby. If your depression is quite severe then you may want to ask your doctor about anti-depressants or indeed he or she may suggest them.
Doing everything that you can to de-stress yourself would be solid advice. As well as the normal stress management practices of eating healthily and living a life with regular exercise you could also take your stress reduction one step further and choose to adopt one of the latest home study stress reduction therapy programs that have been developed with modern lifestyles in mind.
Easy to follow, these systems have been developed to teach you how to best reduce any effects that future encounters with stress may have on you. There are some superb stress reduction therapy programs available now, believe it or not that can be downloaded from the internet! Saving you precious time and causing as little interference with your daily routine as possible.
You can discover all the latest techniques and methods that you will need. From home and at your own pace, to combat any unnecessary stress that you may be experiencing with the arrival of your new baby. This most crucial self improvement learning, can really help you to be in the best place possible to be able to face and conquer the undue stress caused by Postnatal depression. With quality stress reduction therapy you really can make a difference within a few weeks.
It may take you a little time to research and find the best stress reduction therapy program for your needs. However any time and money spent can only help you not only in your immediate needs during Postnatal Depression but also for the rest of your life. You can learn to live a much happier, healthier and stress free existence which reduces the chances of any long term impacts of too much stress. Stress reduction and it's management really has come of age and should be considered a real priority.
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