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Postpartum Depression- Symptoms and Treatment

For many years the condition known as postpartum depression remained ignored and unrecognized, "swept under the rug" by public concern and the medical profession. The often severe sense of melancholy that some women suffer after giving birth was believed to be "all in a woman's head." Extreme cases, such as the 2001 Andrea Yates tragedy where a new mother drowned all five of her children in the bathtub has brought the problem to the forefront. Though few cases of postpartum depression end in such tragedy, postpartum depression is a real problem that needs to be taken seriously. Many women, including celebrity Brook Shields, have come forward to share their experience with postpartum depression.

Now, PPD is a recognized problem believed to affect as many as one in ten new mothers. The condition is believed to be caused by a sudden shift in hormone levels. During pregnancy, the levels of estrogen in the body are high. After birth, they drop sharply. While some women adjust easily to this sudden shift, for others the disruption may cause a variety of symptoms such as mood swings and moderate to severe depression. This usually occurs during the first twelve months after giving birth.

Symptoms of Postpartum Depression

Emotional symptoms pf PPD may include sadness, anxiety, irritability, and mood swings. Fear of harming the new baby is also a symptom of Postpartum Depression. Physical symptoms may include exhaustion, headaches, lack of sex drive, and weight gain.

List of Common Postpartum Symptoms:

*Exhaustion/trouble sleeping

*Difficulty coping with day to day activities

*Decreased appetite

*Depression/crying

*Lac k of Interest

*Low self esteem

Treatment for Postpartum Depression

It is crucial that a woman believed to be suffering from Postpartum Depression get help right away. The first step is to make an appointment with a doctor or gynecologist. Hormone therapy in the form of estrogen replacement is often used to counteract the rapid drop in estrogen following childbirth.

If no physical cause can be found, Postpartum Depression is often treated with counseling and antidepressant medication. Certain antidepressant medications called SSRIs work by altering the levels of serotonin in the brain and can be very effective in treating the symptoms of Postpartum Depression.

Sertaline (Zoloft) is often the first choice in treating PPD in mothers who choose to breast-feed. Other antidepressants that may be used to treat PPD include paraoxetine (Paxil), fluoxetine (Prozac), and citalopram (Celexa).

Support Groups

Sometimes isolation and sudden changes in lifestyle can make Postpartum Depression symptoms worse. Joining a support group may help a new mother cope. Newspapers, hospitals or mental health clinics may have postings of support groups for new mothers. There are also many groups on the Internet where new mothers can share their feelings and concerns.

Resources:

Office on Women's Health, Department of Health and Human Services-informational site

iVillage: Postpartum Depression-Are you at Risk Quiz

The Onlline PPD Support Group

Down Came the Rain :book about personal experience with postpartum depression by Brooke Shields

Learn more about this author, Vickie Britton.
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