Do you have PostPartum Depression?

Postpartum Depression, Clinical Depression, and Major Depressive Disorder are all linked together. Postpartum Depression is a condition that can occur after childbirth. How soon does Postpartum Depression start after birth? It can start as soon as you give birth to your child. If you notice any of these symptoms you may have Postpartum Depression. If you have any of these symptoms please seek help immediately.

• Loss of appetite
• Frequent crying spells
• Irritability
• Feeling worthless
• Staring
• Feeling numb
• Racing thought
• Suicidal thoughts
• Hard time concentrating
• Unwanted thoughts
• Insomnia (even when baby is sleeping)
• or constantly sleeping
• Loss of interest in doing things that you enjoyed
• Poor concentration

How long does Postpartum Depression last? It can last a few weeks or even longer if you already have a mental illness such as Bipolar. People with Bipolar are more likely to get Postpartum Depression after giving birth. If you are having the symptom of suicidal thoughts then it is best to call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 for further help. Don't be ashamed to get help. It is better to get help rather than feel miserable.

You can also mistake postpartum depression for the Baby Blues, which I am sure you have heard of before. If you have the Baby Blues do not worry. It does not last long and you usually do not need medication to recover. A few symptoms of the Baby Blues are.

• Uncontrollable mood swings
• Depression
• The feeling of sadness
• Fatigue
• Frequent crying

What is the cause of the Baby Blues? Well, the exact cause has not been determined at this time. Scientists are still trying to figure out why this happens. Being overwhelmed with the new baby could be a cause of the Baby Blues. It does get stressful with a new baby in the home. Getting used to a routine of waking up all through the night to feed baby. You will be feeding your baby every 3 to 4 hours which for a lot of people can be pretty stressful, especially when your not getting enough rest.

There is hope for you! Don't think because of the way you are feeling that it can not be cured because it can in fact be cured and here are some treatment methods others have used.

1. You could attend a support group therapy sessions and share you experience with others. Maybe you would like to talk to others about what your going through. You might find out that you are not the only one suffering. Others may even look to you for advice in their issues. By helping others, you can also help yourself.
2. Behavioral Therapy. Maybe you don't like big groups. You might enjoy a one on one conversation with a professional. A therapist may just be right up your alley. Therapist can help you find way to cope with your depression and help you understand it better.
3. Medications. There are many medications which are useful in helping Postpartum Depression. Lamictal being one of them. Lamictal is my recommendation of medications that help almost any type of depression. Lamictal will not help everyone. You may have to try different medications to find the right one fit for you. Everyone's body is dunique and take medicines differently. If you are interested in taking Lamictal please talk to your doctor, so they can tell you all the side effects. Taking Lamictal incorrectly can lead to a rash called Stevens Johnson Syndrome which is a life threatening rash.
4. Self help. If medication is not for you, then you could also try home remedies. Natural medicines such as

• CBD oil, CBD vape juice, CBD lotion.
• You could also try aromatherapy. I find that aromatherapy has a lot of benefits. There are aromatherapy diffusers that you may enjoy. If you would like aromatherapy on the go then you could also try a aromatherapy necklace or bracelet.
• Read books. Something to take your mind off of things
• Good nutrition, eating and drinking healthy can make your body feel better as if it has more energy. Lord knows we all need more energy!
• Exercise daily. This one might be a little tough since you probably just delivered your child. If your able to exercise then please do so for at least 20 to 30 minutes a day. If you can go longer then go longer. Exercise is a necessity of a healthy lifestyle, mentally and physically. Start from the outside in for a better mental health.
• Go for a walk. Sometimes the fresh air is all you need to perk up your spirits.
• Take long relaxing baths with bath bombs or epsom salts. Maybe turn on some of your favorite tunes while you enjoy your bath. If you recently had your baby then you may not be able to take a bath, that okay. I have more options for you.
• Get breaks from taking care of child. Ask someone you trust to watch them for a few hours.
• Get a little help with housework
• Take a break from work
• Avoid stressful situations

It may take some time for any of these self help remedies to work depending on the severity of you Postpartum Depression. The medication option is the quickest way to get help. The medications will take about a month to get into your system and start helping you whereas the self help options could take longer than one month to help.

I am not a professional in the medical career. I am speaking from personal experience. Please check in with your medical provider for further help with your Postpartum Depression.

Thanks for Reading!