Do You Have Postnatal Depression?
If you or someone you know is in search of a Pediatrician in Levittown, our team at Pediatric Associates of Plainview is here to help you!
Postnatal depression, also known as postpartum depression, is a mental illness affecting 1 in 5 new mothers. It typically occurs within the first 3 months after giving birth, but there is still a chance for it to develop for up to a year postpartum. The condition tends to be overlooked and difficult to detect, as most symptoms reflect normal stress and sleep changes that new mothers are expected to experience. Thankfully, however, there are proper screenings that can be conducted by our pediatricians in Levittown at Pediatric Associates of Plainview to properly detect postnatal depression.
Warning Signs and Symptoms
While screenings are important and extremely helpful in diagnosing this condition, it is also important to check-in with your loved ones or yourself. Making yourself aware of the warning signs and symptoms of postnatal depression can prove to be extremely beneficial as it can help you to identify the issue early on before it worsens. Among the most common warning signs and symptoms are:
- Sleep Problems: It is very common for newborns to disrupt their mother’s sleep-cycle. But it is abnormal to be sleeping too much or to have extreme difficulty falling asleep when you have the chance.
- Overwhelming Sadness or Guilt: It is common to experience a decline in your mood for the first 2 weeks after birth. However, if these feelings do not subside or they lead to crying spells, it may be indicative of the first signs of postnatal depression.
- Difficulty Making Decisions. If you are struggling to decide between everyday tasks to fulfill such as taking a shower, changing your baby’s diaper, going on a walk, or getting out of bed, these may be early warning signs of postnatal depression.
- Appetite Changes. When people are depressed, it is common for them to eat more or less than usual. This symptom causes people to either look to food for comfort or lose their appetite altogether.
- Harmful or Suicidal Thoughts. This symptom is extremely serious and should be addressed immediately. If you or a loved one is having thoughts regarding harming themselves or their baby, they may be experiencing advanced signs of postnatal depression and they should be treated urgently.
While it is good to know these signs, it is important to know that this is not a full list of the symptoms of postnatal depression. It is worth looking into more warning signs, as symptoms may vary. It is beneficial to acknowledge and treat this condition as soon as possible so that it does not worsen into chronic depression or interfere with your quality of life.
Contact Our Pediatrician in Levittown
If you are a new mother experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, Pediatric Associates of Plainview may be able to help! Here at Pediatric Associates of Plainview, we offer screenings for postnatal depression so that we can properly detect and diagnose it, ensuring you get the treatment you need. Our goal is to keep both parents and children as healthy as possible. Be sure to contact us today to discover the many ways our pediatrician in Levittown can help you and your child stay healthy through all phases of life.