How do I know if I have postpartum depression?
Postpartum depression is a serious illness yet treatable! Don't take it lightly by considering it just like a normal mood swing. It's way worse than that. It can lead to an unpredictable situation if not treated within time. Women need to stop running away from the postpartum depression hardship. It's not an illness or a problem to run away from. The more you try to escape it, the more it is going to chase you. Acknowledge this feeling, let it flow, and get treated within time by setting an appointment with the doctor. The major problem comes with the diagnosis part - most people & doctors fail to detect it at the early stages of life. Due to this, doctors today are becoming more conscious in their approach towards the patients than ever. During the initial visit of a patient regarding the pre-parental care, they look up the symptoms of postpartum depression. It helps to stop growing it further by making the mother's situation under control.
In the article beneath, you are going to get detailed knowledge about how you can understand whether you have postpartum depression or not.
What are the ways to analyze whether I am going through postpartum depression?
Many times you might end up confusing yourself if you are having an overwhelming period of life or a severe postpartum condition. The following signs below are enough to tell you that you are having postpartum depression. Irregular sleeping or any changes in it, a sudden wave of sadness, feeling of guilt is the primary symptoms that you shall see in yourself if you are the victim of postpartum depression. By almost 60%, you can access postpartum depression at your home. Once you are educated enough about the symptoms, feelings, and the results of it you can detect this problem yourself. Although, many actions can end up confusing the sudden sadness for the feeling of bombarding emotions as postpartum depression that's not the case at all. You need to strictly keep a track of how you are feeling and what has been your condition in the last 7 days. It will be extremely helpful for you to come to the conclusion if postpartum depression is the actual reason for all kinds of false feelings you have been struggling with. To be more sure, you can take a few tests online, it will even help you to get closer to the answers. Once you see that this sadness is not going away for more than 1 or two weeks, then you should immediately approach the doctor. The doctor further will assess your situation and based on that he will let you know if this is the case.
How do doctors assess that you are going through postpartum depression?
During the entire phase of pregnancy, doctors can easily check if a woman is undergoing stress, mood changes that might lead to postpartum depression. After the baby is born, the people staying with the mother like her spouse, and other close family members should keep their eye on the health of a mother. See if she acts differently which isn't just a mood swing or a normal reaction to pregnancy. Also, at least till 6 weeks after the baby is born, you should take your wife to the doctor to make sure that she ain't going through any postpartum depression problems.
You should understand that doctors won't take your blood test or perform the scanning of your body to reveal whether you are having postpartum depression or not. What the doctor will do is ask you a few questions. The answer you provide to these questions tells about your mental state of mind. The doctors generally perform screening tests of postpartum depression in new mothers.
- PHQ-2, 2-Question Patient Health Questionnaire
It is generally a very small screening test that doesn't take much time; a woman is asked to draw answers to questions that have various choices. These questions are expected to be based upon the mental health that she has been having for the past two weeks. She will be asked questions like if she has had depressive episodes, mood swings, a sudden feeling of emptiness, and she is losing her interest in doing the daily activities. Based on the choice, she needs to tick the right answer that shall lie from not at all situations to highly felt in an everyday situation.
- EPDS - Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
In this method, doctors provide a total of 10 statements to the patient. It is their way to assess if the mother is suffering from postpartum depression. The statement was provided but the doctors need the patient's answer where she will write about her feelings in the last 7 days. The statements can be like, - 'I attempted to harm myself,' 'I have been anxious for the last few days.'
- PHQ-9, 9 Question Patient Health Questionnaire
If the results formed by PHQ-2, reveal that they have symptoms of depression, then, the case will be carried further. The doctor will ask you if you are struggling with eating disorders or sleeping disorders. The more you have these symptoms, the more surety there is that you are undergoing postpartum depression.
Key Takeaways
Educate yourself in the best possible manner so you can avoid any problems later. The more knowledge you have about the subject of postpartum depression, the more you will be able to overcome this phase of life with ease. Take note of every symptom and feed it carefully in your mind. Also, keep in mind that postpartum depression is a treatable problem, so there is nothing to worry about. In just a few seconds, you can get the right help from professionals. It will help you to stay safe recouping the life of yourself, and your child both. Also, some professionals are willing to provide home services. In such cases, you are not asked to visit the clinics, you can sit at your home and the doctor will visit you for your check-up.
References
https://www.webmd.com/depression/postpartum-depression/early-warning-signs-postpartum-depression