Postpartum depression
symptoms
Baby is here and you sure aren’t feeling like yourself. Are these
postpartum depression symptoms? You’re tired, grumpy, nothing
excites you. Is this just how motherhood is or is it
depression?
Depression comes with a lot of symptoms. You may not experience all
of them.
The question is this: are these symptoms keeping you from
functioning in your daily life?
If so, you need to see your doctor.
“Gosh, you always
liked to go for walks, why don’t we walk
anymore?”
If you’ve lost interest in some of your favorite activities, you
have a symptom of postpartum depression.
“I’m bone tired and
don’t even have the energy to shower.”
After the initial sleep loss that is normal with a newborn baby, if
you find that you are too tired to complete basic tasks, you have a
symptom of postpartum depression.
“I can’t for the life
of me remember why I came to the store.”
Are you forgetful? Do you have trouble concentrating? If
forgetfulness and lack of concentration are affecting your ability
to function, you have a symptom of postpartum depression.
“I don’t know what to
do! What if I feed baby the wrong food, he ends up with eczema, and
it turns into asthma?”
If you have difficulty making decisions, you have a symptom of
postpartum depression. Agonizing over the effects of those
decisions and feeling guilt about them are symptoms as well.
“I am so tired but I
simply can’t sleep.”
“I just sleep all the time.”
If you are counting sheep or raindrops falling from the rain gutter
(my favorite), you have a symptom of postpartum depression. Any
change in your sleep pattern could be a symptom of postpartum
depression.
“I’m just never
hungry.”
“I can’t stop eating.”
Just like sleep, changes in your sleeping patterns can be a symptom
of postpartum depression.
“These people are
driving me crazy!”
Everyone feels on occasion like certain people are driving them
crazy. If suddenly most people around you are driving you crazy,
your own tolerance for being “bothered” has likely changed. If you
feel increasingly irritable around people (even if there is good
cause for the irritability) you have a symptom of postpartum
depression.
“What kind of life
will this baby lead with terrorist attacks and global
warming?”
We all ponder these questions, but if these sorts of questions are
consuming you and interfering with your ability to function at home
and work, you have a symptom of postpartum depression.
“If only I had not
had the c-section, baby would have been able to
breastfeed.”
Feelings of guilt and regret are common in birth and in life
generally. If these consume your thoughts and keep you from
functioning, you have a symptom of postpartum depression
“I can’t shake the
headache.”
Chronic headaches and other pain that do not respond to treatment
are possible symptoms of postpartum depression.
“I ponder my own
death.”
We all do this from time to time, but if thoughts of your own death
are consuming you or if you have thoughts about suicide, it’s time
to see a doctor. You have a serious symptom of postpartum
depression.
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Treatment
This website provides information on alleviating depression with
nutrients. Medical research shows that nutrients can help alleviate
depression. For a general overview, read the article on
depression in
pregnancy for
relieving postpartum depression symptoms.