Postpartum depression is the most common type of mental disorder in women. It is a series of changes in the body, emotions, and psychology caused by hormonal, social, and psychological changes after childbirth. Its impact can be significant, and early detection and treatment are crucial!
Causes of Postpartum Depression
1. Changes in Hormones
In the late stages of pregnancy, estrogen, progesterone, corticosteroids, and thyroid hormones significantly increase in the body.
After childbirth, these hormones suddenly decrease, leading to a decrease in monoamines in the brain and endocrine tissues, which affects higher brain activities.
2. Other Physiological Factors
For example, severe pain in the incision after childbirth, physical weakness and fatigue, the pressure of taking care of the newborn, and lack of sleep at night, etc.
3. Psychological Factors of the Mother
(1) Excessive fear and panic caused by the process of childbirth.
(2) Change of role and lifestyle, discomfort with the role of motherhood.
(3) Introverted personality. Fragile personality. Studies have shown that conservative and stubborn mothers are more prone to this condition.
What to Do When Experiencing Postpartum Depression
1. Shift Attention
Do not focus all your energy on negative things. Pay more attention to pleasant things or things you enjoy.
2. Don't Strive for Perfection
No one can be a perfect mother. Don't have too high expectations for yourself. Lowering your psychological expectations can relieve some burden.
3. Relax Appropriately
Taking care of a child is physically demanding, and the child's sleep patterns are irregular. So when the child is resting, try to rest yourself and adjust your lifestyle accordingly.
4. Seek Help Proactively
When feeling helpless and emotionally overwhelmed, you can confide in your partner, close friends, and parents, seek help, and not carry everything on your own.
What Family Members Should Do
Pay attention to the condition of the mother, share the responsibility and pressure of taking care of the child and the family, and manage the relationships between family members well.
Communicate and accompany more, let the new mother know that she is not alone in this battle.
When the condition of the mother does not improve, it's important to seek help from a doctor.
Postpartum depression can be treated with medication. For breastfeeding mothers with postpartum depression, please inform your psychiatrist about your situation, and the doctor will choose safe medication based on individualized principles.
What Foods are Good for Postpartum Depression
1. Drink Rose Tea
In traditional Chinese medicine, rose flowers have the effects of regulating qi, resolving depression, promoting blood circulation, and regulating menstruation.
Rose flowers have very gentle properties, which can nourish the heart, liver, and blood vessels, relieve internal depression, and have a sedative, soothing, and anti-depressant effect.
2. Fish Reduces Psychological Anxiety
Eating fish can improve mental disorders because the omega-3 fatty acids in fish produce effects similar to antidepressants, reducing psychological anxiety.
3. Vitamin B Fights Depression
A study recently published by the British Medical Committee of the Psychiatric Institute showed that vitamin B is helpful in treating depression.
