Postpartum Depression vs Baby Blues: Tell the Difference

 March 30

A woman goes through many changes when she is pregnant and even after she gives birth. Aside from physical changes, mothers may get extremely emotional and suffer from mental health issues.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, 70 to 80 percent of women in the United States experience baby blues after the arrival of their newborns. Of these women, some 10 to 20 percent develop clinical postpartum depression.

But how can mothers tell if they are experiencing postpartum depression or baby blues? Here are some signs to determine the difference.

Indications of Baby Blues

Baby blues make moms feel sad or moody in the first few days of the baby’s birth. The instance doesn’t last for more than two weeks, though, and the “sadness” usually goes away on its own. Mothers will not need to seek medical treatment for baby blues.

Some of the indications of baby blues include:

  • Bouts of crying
  • Sadness, moodiness or crankiness
  • Trouble sleeping and eating
  • Feeling overwhelmed and not in control

Indications of Postpartum Depression

If a mother’s baby blues don’t resolve after two weeks, she could be suffering from postpartum depression. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, postpartum depression is a mood disorder that does not have a single cause.

However, experts believe that it might be triggered by the sudden drop in the mother’s hormones. It’s also possible for mothers to develop postpartum depression when their bodies haven’t fully recovered from childbirth.

Some indications of postpartum depression include:

  • feelings of depression
  • feelings of shame, failure or guilt
  • feeling scared or panicked
  • severe mood swings
  • no interest in doing anything, including caring for the newborn
  • feeling tired or fatigued
  • changes in the weight (either gain or loss)
  • trouble sleeping and eating
  • not bonding with the baby
  • thinking about hurting the baby or herself
  • having suicidal thoughts

Getting Diagnosed for Postpartum Depression

A diagnosis from a professional is necessary to determine if a mother is really suffering from postpartum depression. Since this scope is broad, it’s important to go into a proper consultation with an expert in depression treatment in Palm Beach County.

Some women are of greater risk if they have had substance abuse problems or previous mental health diagnosis in the family. A woman may also be severely depressed if she finds no strong emotional support from her partner, family, and friends.

Regular counseling is needed for treating postpartum depression. In some cases, the therapist may prescribe antidepressants to help regulate the hormones that affect mood disorders.

If postpartum depression is ignored, the effects may last for months or years. It could also have serious consequences on the mother’s overall health as well as her relationship with her spouse and children.

Getting ketamine infusion in Palm Beach Gardens is a new way to treat depression and, along with psychotherapy, patients can feel better and function normally as they did before.

Learn more about Depression Treatment in Palm Beach County

Postpartum depression is not a joke and health measures should be taken to help the mother recover. At Allay Health and Wellness, there is a clinical psychologist to sit with you during ketamine IV therapy. We believe that there has to be a psychotherapeutic engagement with the client to maximize the results of ketamine infusion therapy.

If you or someone you know is suffering from postpartum depression, it would be best to see a specialist in Allay Health and Wellness as soon as possible to facilitate the treatment plan and to discuss the best cost of ketamine infusion treatment.

If you would like more information about ketamine infusion, contact us or call us at (561) 421-6444.

The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.

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