Early signs of PPD you should know
It is an understatement to say that the early weeks and months of being a new parent are intense and overwhelming. There is a huge shift in your sense of self, your body is doing CRAZY things it may never have done before, your hormones are going crazy and you now have a tiny human who is wholly reliant on you for everything. Suffice it to say, it’s a lot to work through. While all of the intense change that you are experiencing is likely to take a toll on just about everyone, there are degrees to which these things can impact you.
In the first couple of weeks after you have a baby, there are some incredibly intense hormonal shifts happening in your body. This can bring on bouts of unexplained crying. In a new moms group session the other day, one mom was talking about how she spent many days of that first 2 weeks after her baby was born bursting into tears for unknown reasons. Her partner would ask her what was wrong or why she was crying and she had no answer. This is the baby blues. Other symtpoms can be mood swings, anxiety, feelings of being overwhelmed, irritability, appetite problems (either more or less then usual) and trouble sleeping. Most typically, the baby blues improves by the end of the first two weeks postpartum. There isn’t actually treatment for this experience because it usually resolves on its own. If it is not resolving, then it can turn into a more serious experience of postpartum depression, which is treatable.
Postpartum mood disorders (PPMDs of which postpartum depression, anxiety and OCD are all part of) are the most common complication of pregnancy, impacting at least 20% of all moms. Dads too can experience PPMDs. The estimate is that 1 in 10 days experiences a postpartum mood disorder. I strongly suspect that PPMDs are underdiagnosed for both parents due to all of the reasons that we minimize our mental health concerns, especially at a time in life when there are so many other things happening (like caring for a small child). PPMDs most often onset between 4 and 6 weeks after giving birth but it can still be diagnosed through the end of the first year after having a baby. Here are some symptoms to watch for:
Increased crying
Difficulty bonding with your baby
Loss of appetite or eating more then usual
Loss of interest in pleasurable activities
Hopelessness
Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt, or inadequacy
Inability to concentrate
Inability to sleep even when your baby is sleeping
Intense irritability, rage, anger
Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
Thoughts of death or suicide
The important thing to remember is that treatable. There is help for parents who are experiencing these emotions. It may feel very lonely though because often people don’t talk about these things or they may be very good at hiding what is going on “behind the scenes.” Here in Chicago, we are very lucky that there are so many incredible providers who are trained to work specifically with postpartum parents. Many are covered by health insurance and those who are not, often work on sliding fee scales for those who would otherwise be unable to pay. Many also continue to work over telehealth which means that you don’t have to leave your house to get the care and support that you need. In Chicago, I recommend reaching out to either The Wildflower Center for Emotional Health or Flourish Counseling and Wellness. At either of these practices, the intake team can help you identify a therapist who will be a good fit for you. For a comprehensive approach which may include consultation with a psychiatrist, I also often recommend the Compass Program at Northwestern Hospital. If you don’t live in this area, Postpartum Support International has many resources on their website and offers a provider directory where you can locate a trained support professional in your area. With help, you will be well ❤️❤️❤️