Usually, this form of depression develops within a few weeks after birth and manifests itself with rather intense and lasting symptoms.
It is a condition that greatly affects the ability to take care of the newborn, as well as the quality of life of the woman who suffers from it, therefore, timely diagnosis and treatment are essential.
For further information: Postpartum Depression it can be triggered by a set of concomitant factors, such as the hormonal changes that occur in the puerperium, the lack of sleep and rest, the lack of help from the partner and / or family, the environmental and social conditions in which one lives. Furthermore, it appears that genetic predisposition may also play a major role in the development of the disease., increase or loss of appetite, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, drowsiness, lethargy, headache, dizziness, muscle aches, social isolation, delusions, nervous breakdowns and decreased libido. Women who suffer from this form of depression can go I also encounter complications, such as the development of major depression.
In addition, postpartum depression can affect the newborn. This is because, often, mothers with this disorder struggle to establish a relationship with their child and all this can cause delays in the cognitive, social and emotional development of the same child.
Finally, postpartum depression can also cause suicidal thoughts and / or behaviors, also increasing the risk of infanticide.
For further information: Postpartum Depression Symptoms post-partum psychological support and psychotherapy are very important, which can be accompanied by pharmacological therapy based on antidepressant drugs; remembering, however, that the intake of most of these medicines requires the interruption of breastfeeding.
In any case, when starting an antidepressant treatment, it is essential to follow all the instructions that will be provided by the doctor.
The type of antidepressant to be taken and its dosage will be established on an individual basis for each patient, since the response to treatment can vary greatly from one individual to another.
Among the drugs that could be used are, for example, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
