Depression Help: Untreated Postpartum Depression Can Be Dangerous
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DES MOINES, Iowa Health Systems will start offering depression screening within the next 10 days to all of their patients who give birth.
Maternity Services Nurse Manager Darlene Gibson stated that unexamined postpartum depression may lead to something worse. It can become postpartum psychosis. And that’s when mom and baby are at greatest risk.
Gibson revealed that “It’s very real, and we know it can be harmful.”
Many of the moms acquire the baby blues. Those go away after about a week without treatment. But, 10 to 15 percent get postpartum depression. It can begin anytime within a year of giving birth.
The following are the symptoms of this depression:
- Feeing sad, angry, hopeless or overwhelmed
- Tired all the time
- Crying a lot
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Eating more or less than what’s normal for you
- Trouble remembering or making decisions
- Concerning about little things
- Feeling worthless or like you are a “bad mom”
Left untreated, depression can lead psychosis, and that’s when your munchkin is most at risk.
According to Gibson “You have that total loss of wanting to care for yourself, care for that child or for your family,” He added “You just don’t care.”
Health professionals want moms to know it is completely fine and necessary to seek out help for themselves and for their babies.
“It’s part of life, and we can treat it and we can deal with it,” Gibson said.
Studies have also shown that babies of mothers who suffer from depression have troubles, too. Their emotional and mental development can be underdeveloped and often their nutrition suffers, too.
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When it turns into psychosis, postpartum depression is so dangerous.
All too often, we read of a mother who has harmed her baby and/or her self. Only to learn later that she was suffering from noticeable postpartum depression. And, no one stepped in to help.
It is OK to seek professional help. It is imperative that those around her be vigilant. And speak up when things just don’t look or feel right.
Christina, this is such an important subject and I am glad you wrote it. Thank You!
Be well