Most of us are familiar with postpartum depression but there is a condition that many new mothers experience that has gone virtually unnoticed. Postpartum anxiety is a relatively common condition that affects many women. The symptoms of this condition are a little subtle but if you take all of them into consideration you may find that you want to seek treatment.
The first thing that you want to consider is your overall history. If you have never experienced a panic attack or anxiety in general, you are less likely to develop postpartum anxiety after giving birth. However, if you have had panic attacks and general anxiety in the past then you may develop this condition after having a baby.
One of the tell-tale signs of postpartum anxiety is heart palpitations. These palpitations are quite noticeable and sometimes overwhelming. A woman who has postpartum anxiety can have heart palpations that are so bad that she will seek treatment for a heart condition.
Other symptoms include shaking and dizziness along with insomnia. There is definitely something wrong when you can’t sleep when you are so exhausted. Women who have postpartum anxiety can’t sleep but they feel very tired. In addition, the rapid heart rate and chest pains that they often experience interfere with their sleep patterns.
Some of the symptoms of postpartum anxiety are quite similar to depression. The individual feels a sense of impending doom and tends to have a gloomy outlook on life. She may lose her appetite and have difficulty relaxing and concentrating. She may seem distracted and detached to things going on around her.
It is very difficult to face a condition like this when you are supposed to be so happy. The birth of a child should be a time of great joy but a condition like postpartum anxiety can interfere with the mother’s mood and outlook. This unfortunate condition often goes overlooked, even by physicians.
My sister was experiencing extreme heart palpitations that actually showed up on a test that she took at the doctor’s office. Her physician put her through many different tests to see if she had thyroid problems or a serious heart condition. All tests came up negative. Unfortunately, my sister found out about postpartum anxiety just as she was starting to feel better.
If you feel that you may be at risk for postpartum anxiety it is important that you speak to your doctor. Make sure that your physician considers this syndrome common to new moms before you take any unnecessary tests.
author: Caroline Bourke
New mothers spend a lot of time getting the house ready for the new baby that will be arriving along with mentally trying to prepare themselves for the big event. While that is all fine to do, it is important that every mother to be spend some time researching and learning about postpartum depression. By taking the time to read up about postpartum depression, if you find that you are experiencing the signs and symptoms of it, you will not be so shocked. You will also have a good sense of what actions you should take in order to resolve the issue at hand.
A lot of the pregnancy books out there that women are reading do cover a little bit about postpartum depression but you may find that there is just not enough information in there. A good place to find information about postpartum depression is from your doctor as he or she can give you all sorts of valuable information. Also, picking up a postpartum depression book is a great way to learn all about it. Another place to look for advice and information is from other mothers who have actually experienced that form of depression themselves. First hand experiences are a great way to learn all about postpartum depression.
Seeking Help
As soon as you, or someone close to you, feel that you are suffering from depression, you need to look for help from your doctor. The thing about postpartum depression is that if it is left alone and not attended to, if may end up getting worse. Some women find that they are able to pull themselves out of it over time, but others find that it only gets worse without professional intervention. So do not be shy or embarrassed about talking with your doctor about the things you are feeling or experiencing.
After seeking help from your doctor, it would not hurt to group a discussion group for new mothers as there will probably be women there that you can talk to about postpartum depression. If you are not able to leave the house to attend face-to-face meetings for whatever reason, there are plenty of online discussion groups that you can find with a quick search on the Internet. Remember, always ask for help because there is no way that you can do everything yourself. When you want to need assistance, make sure you seek it as this can only help with the depression.
When looking into what is and what is not postpartum depression, it is important to think about the history of postpartum depression as a lot of answers to questions can be found there. The history of postpartum depression is what doctors and counselors use when giving their warning signs of this issue. It is what has happen in the past to other men and women that give us the warning signs to pass onto to other people in hopes of being able to help the lives of other people around you.
The history of postpartum depression shows us through studies that women in the poverty level of income are more likely to get postpartum depression versus a women who’s household brings in much more money. Also, single mothers or mothers that have a very small support system are also at a much higher risk for getting postpartum depression to one extreme or another. It is also important to keep in mind that the history of postpartum depression is not the same for everyone experiencing it as it effects everyone differently as no one is exactly alike.
Signs And Symptoms
There are several signs and symptoms to keep an eye out for when it comes to postpartum depression. The studies done and the close eye on the history of postpartum depression are what is used to compile lists of warnings and things to watch out for. This information on postpartum depression can be read about in books, read about on the Internet, or even discussed with you doctor. Either way, if you feel that you are experiencing any problem with depression, no matter the type, it is time to seek help. The faster you act on getting help, the better you will be in the end.
Things that the history of postpartum depression has shown us to be careful of are a withdrawal from social settings, lower energy, frustration, a feeling of emptiness, and problems sleeping. Also, eating issues, feelings of being inadequate in terms of taking care of the baby and feelings of extreme guilt are also signs of a possible problem with postpartum depression. If you or someone you know is experiencing these signs of possible postpartum depression, make sure that they seek professional help right away. Whether it is a medical doctor or a counselor, it is important to seek the help of someone with a vast knowledge on the subject of depression.