What are Postpartum Psychiatric disorders in women?
25 Nov 2020- Postpartum period is demanding period characterized by overwhelming biological, physical, social, and emotional changes.
- Unfortunately, women in the postpartum period can be vulnerable to a range of psychiatric disorders.
- Perinatal mental illness is largely under-diagnosed and can have far reaching ramifications for both the mother and the infant.
- Many females experience a wide range of overwhelming emotions such as anticipation, excitement, happiness, fulfilment, as well as anxiety, frustration, confusion, or sadness/guilt during pregnancy and postpartum period.
- Traditionally postpartum psychiatric disorders are classified as maternity blues, puerperal psychosis, and postnatal depression. However, the spectrum of postpartum phenomenology is wide.
- Untreated postpartum psychiatric disorders can have far-reaching ramifications for the family and can also adversely affect mother-infant interaction and attachment.
- Most new moms experience postpartum "baby blues" after childbirth, which commonly include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. Baby blues typically begin within the first two to three days after delivery, and may last for up to two weeks.
- But some new moms experience a more severe, long-lasting form of depression known as postpartum depression.
- Postpartum depression signs and symptoms may include:
- Depressed mood or severe mood swings
- Excessive crying
- Difficulty bonding with your baby
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Loss of appetite or eating much more than usual
- Inability to sleep (insomnia) or sleeping too much
- Overwhelming fatigue or loss of energy
- Reduced interest and pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
- Intense irritability and anger
- Fear that you're not a good mother
- Hopelessness
- Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt or inadequacy
- Diminished ability to think clearly, concentrate or make decisions
- Restlessness
- Severe anxiety and panic attacks
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
- Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
- Postpartum psychosis
With postpartum psychosis — a rare condition that typically develops within the first week after delivery — the signs and symptoms are severe. Signs and symptoms may include:
- Confusion and disorientation
- Obsessive thoughts about your baby
- Hallucinations and delusions
- Sleep disturbances
- Excessive energy and agitation
- Paranoia
- Attempts to harm yourself or your baby
Postpartum psychosis may lead to life-threatening thoughts or behaviours and requires immediate treatment.
- Any such symptoms in the postpartum period needs to be reported to the mental health professional for appropriate management.
References:
