Self Care Articles

Is this your symptom?

• Feeling depressed or anxious much of the time during the period up to one year after having a baby(postpartum)
• Not taking good care of yourself or your baby
• Do not feel a bond with the baby

Risk Factors for Postpartum Depression:

• History of mental health problems
• Mental health problems during pregnancy
• Unplanned pregnancy
• Recent major life events (death of a loved one, divorce, job loss)
• Substance use or abuse (drugs, tobacco, alcohol)
• Low birth weight, still birth or sudden infant death syndrome
• Depression in the father of the child, poor relationship with partner or parental stress after the birth
• Difficulty getting pregnant
• Thyroid problems

Causes and Conditions that Impact Mental Health After Birth

• Postpartum Psychosis (serious) is a rare but serious form of mental illness that puts the mother and baby at risk. The mother may have symptoms which range from low mood to losing touch with reality. She may think of harming herself or her baby. Seek help right away if these symptoms occur.
• Depression. The cause is unknown. Some people are more likely to develop depression than others. It may be inherited. It may also be triggered by life events. Women are more likely to develop depression than men. The risks are higher after childbirth and at the time of the menopause.
• Anxiety is a feeling of being tense or fearful. There may be physical symptoms such as dry mouth, nausea, sweating, shaking or palpitations (thumping heartbeat). In severe cases there may be chest pain and rapid breathing. Anxiety is normal in stressful situations. It is abnormal if it lasts after the stressful situation has gone away or if it happens without stress. Treatment involves self-help, trying to understand the reason for the anxiety and/or depression, talking therapies and meds, if needed.
• Adjustment Reaction. This is like anxiety but it grows over a period of days or weeks in reaction to something that has happened (like a divorce). It may include depression. Treatment involves self-help, trying to understand the reason for the anxiety and/or depression, talking therapies and meds, if needed.
• Phobia is a strong fear or dread of something that is out of proportion with the reality of the threat. Coming into contact with the situation/threat, or in some cases just thinking of the threat, can bring on symptoms of severe anxiety. Examples include agoraphobia (fear of going outside), arachnophobia (fear of spiders), fear of flying and many others. Behavioral therapies can have great success. Meds may also be used.
• Social Anxiety Disorder (social phobia). This is a type of phobia in which you become very worried about what people think of you. It limits your ability to interact with other people in social situations.
• Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder. A panic attack is the sudden onset of symptoms of severe anxiety and panic for no apparent reason. This can be overwhelming with all the symptoms of severe anxiety and in addition pins and needles and spasm of the hands and feet muscles due to over-breathing (hyperventilation). The person may look ill and appear white around their mouth. They rarely pass out and the attack often passes off after about 10 minutes. It can be difficult to tell whether the symptoms are due to panic or a heart condition. If in doubt Call 911. Panic disorder is diagnosed if you have repeated panic attacks at variable intervals.
• Depression from Health Problems. A number of physical conditions can cause low mood and may be mistaken for depression. It is important to rule out physical conditions as treatment of the underlying condition may be needed. These include:
  • Underactive thyroid (a gland in the neck which produces thyroxine). Low levels can make you feel low, weepy and tired
  • Underactive pituitary gland (a gland in the brain which makes various hormones). Low levels affect sex drive and fertility as well as causing weight gain and low mood.
  • A head injury, even if it happened many years ago
  • Polymyalgia Rheumatica (an inflammatory condition) causing joint pain and stiffness as well as depression.
  • Early dementia may present as depression
• Seasonal Affective Disorder. Some people get depression in the winter months only. The cause is thought to be due to lack of sunlight. Symptoms include trouble waking up. The symptoms become worse as the hours of daylight become shorter. The most severe symptoms tend to occur between November and January. Treatment includes getting as much natural sunlight as you can and/or light therapy from a lightbox with a bright light. The usual therapies for depression may also help.