Stages of postpartum depression (Ultimate Guide) are as a result of its diverse levels of complications which may exacerbate if not quickly looked into by the one suffers it. According to research, the postpartum depression affects roughly 15% of women after childbirth. What then is this kind of very destructive psycho-emotive defect if allowed to wallow unchecked in the mind.
Postpartum depression which also called postnatal depression, is a type of mood disorder associated with childbirth, which can affect both sexes. Symptoms may include extreme sadness, low energy, anxiety, crying episodes, irritability, and changes in sleeping or eating patterns. Onset is typically between one week and one month following childbirth. PPD can also negatively affect the newborn child.
The exact cause of postpartum depression is unclear, the cause is believed to be a combination of physical, emotional, genetic, and social factors which could be as a result of some hormonal changes and sleep deprivation, including its other risk factors such as bipolar disorder, a family history of depression, psychological stress, complications of childbirth, lack of support, or a drug use disorder. Postpartum depression can interfere with normal maternal-infant bonding and adversely affect acute and longterm child development. Postpartum depression may lead mothers to be inconsistent with childcare.
While most women experience a brief period of worry or unhappiness after delivery, postpartum depression should be suspected when symptoms are severe and last over two weeks. When one is consumed with fear as to whether this psychological condition can ever subside, psychosocial support like community support such as food, household chores, mother care, and companionship, or counselling, or therapeutic medications, etc. may be protective in preventing PPD.
Stages of Postpartum Depression (Ultimate Guide).
The stages of postpartum depression (ultimate guide) are like the growth process of organisms–if its symptoms are not nipped in the bud at an early stage, it may deteriorate into its very worst kind through its degenerative stage development.
1. Emotional Stage
Postpartum depression, PPD onset usually begins between two weeks to a month after delivery, and at this stage, it is often an emotional problem before it grows to the second stage where it rather goes physically expressed through behaviors. Below are the symptoms at this stage:
- Persistent sadness, anxiousness or “empty” mood
- Severe mood swings
- Frustration, irritability, restlessness, anger
- Feelings of hopelessness or helplessness
- Guilt, shame, worthlessness
- Low self-esteem
- Numbness, emptiness
- Exhaustion
- Inability to be comforted
- Trouble bonding with the baby
- Feeling inadequate in taking care of the baby
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
2. Behavioral Stage
This stage is resultantly the last stage of its growth in both man and woman who are its victims. At this level, the postpartum depression has probably spent just more than six weeks of its growth and thus becomes ingrained in the mind around over two months of its being, expressing itself through behavior and social relations in what may be termed negative personality traits:
- Lack of interest or pleasure in usual activities
- Low libido
- Changes in appetite
- Fatigue, decreased energy and motivation
- Poor self-care
- Social withdrawal
- Insomnia or excessive sleep
- Worry about harming self, baby, or partner
For fathers, several studies show that men experience the highest levels of postpartum depression between 3–6 months postpartum. However, PPD may last several months or even a year in individuals.
