Having the Blues About the Baby: Postpartum Depression

In the past few months, there has been a debacle between Tom Cruise and Brooke Shields on the issue of postpartum depression. As an adherent of Scientology, Tom Cruise believes that we are capable of healing ourselves through natural means rather than taking medications that would do more harm than good. With this belief in mind, Tom Cruise allegedly reacted and disapproved when Brooke Shields opted to treat her postpartum depression with antidepressants. Healthy exercises would have been the cure to her illness, cited Tom Cruise, but Brooke Shields resorted to another measure to cope with postpartum depression. Postpartum depression.

Majority has the idea that it is a feeling of despondency of a woman after giving birth. Postpartum depression is actually similar to major forms of depression, only it is experienced by women who have just given birth. There had been tragic stories wherein mothers murdered their infant. It seems unthinkable as motherhood is supposed to be an experience of joy and miracle, but this horrendous act is actually possible. The culprit? Postpartum depression. This disorder that has beset a lot of women can become some sort of insanity if left untreated. Postpartum depression can be attributed to physiological and psychological factors.

Having been pregnant for nine months, the mother normally undergoes tremendous hormonal and physiological changes. This can cause stress and distress as hormones usually affect the moods and emotions as well. The mother may experience mood changes and even altered mental state that could lead to postpartum depression. Underlying psychological issues may also beset the mother, especially if she is not ready or hesitant about motherhood. She may be harboring deep rooted ill feelings or anger toward the baby for several reasons- it can deter her from a successful career, or may strip her of the freedom of being single, or maybe it can be because she has gained weight and has become less attractive and unloved because of the baby.

Childbirth is also an agonizing process, and the physical stress of bearing a child can also cause postpartum depression. When we think of depression, what comes into mind is merely a sad, dejected feeling. But depression can be an intricate web of underlying entangled emotions of not only despondency but possibly also of guilt, anger, fear and insecurity, resentment or remorse, frustration and lack of self-esteem among others. Postpartum depression is a disorder than can be threatening not only to the mother but to the infant as well. When a mother is afflicted with this disorder, it is not only a matter between the mother and the baby, but of other relationships as well such as that with the father and the family.

Depression itself for an individual is distressing, much more so to a mother who has a responsibility and connection to the infant. Postpartum depression can possibly be prevented if the mother initially has a healthy mindset and would resolve all issues about the pregnancy and motherhood prior to giving birth. In this process, support system from family and friends is essential for the mother-to-be. Regular pre-natal check-ups to detect and correct irregularities must also be undertaken as well as proper supplementation to ensure a healthy pregnancy. When a mother is afflicted with postpartum depression, it is best to seek professional help.

Medications, if appropriate and necessary, are usually prescribed as well as psychotherapy to resolve underlying emotional and psychological issues. To experience the best of the joys of motherhood, it is wise to seek treatment for postpartum depression as it is curable. And after postpartum depression, it is possible for a mother to go on living a healthy and new life- with a new life in her hands.