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Stacy Overton, PhD.
Counselor
I am an enthusiastic life-long learner and also a professor of counseling. I have a passion for peoples stories and helping to guide and empower the human spirit.
Top Rated Answers
The first step is to identify your emotions and how you're feeling. If you're not comfortable with speaking with someone there are helpful tools and resources available online that could help you identify the severity of your depression. In this case, I recommend seeking a professional. At 7 cups of Tea we would be happy to help you seek the proper resources you'll need!
Having a new baby is a great change in your life, it's normal to feel stressed especially with irregular sleep.
You know you're depressed if you cry for prolonged times, feel as you don't like your baby,feel as your partner doesn't support you, and the most important feeling is as your life has ended
Sadness or guilt consume your thoughts. Feeling upset once in a while is normal. But if you have crying spells, or you often feel unhappy about being a parent, or you're often "down on yourself" as a mom, these may be among the first signs of postpartum depression.
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is developed for screening postpartum women. This test can be completed in less than 5 minutes!
Postpartum depression is the most common complication of childbearing. This 10-question self-rating scale has been proven to be an efficient and effective way of identifying patients at risk for “perinatal” depression.
While this test was specifically designed for women who are pregnant or have just had a baby, it has also been shown to be an effective measure for general depression in the larger population
It is strongly recommended that this set of questions is completed with a health professional!
https://psychology-tools.com/test/epds
Good luck
If the stress and your character is vastly different from your previous days after delivery please get yourself check by a therapist/counselor. Meaning of postpartum depression is: depression suffered by a mother following childbirth, typically arising from the combination of hormonal changes, psychological adjustment to motherhood, and fatigue.
Anonymous
March 30th, 2016 3:41pm
You can't know for sure. You need to set an appointment with a specialist in order to find out. Just assuming won't lead you anywhere.
you meet a doctor and they tell you. that's it. you can also google it and compare your symptoms to the ones listed here
The best thing to do in this situation is to see a professional as I highly doubt anyone here is legitimately qualified but in any case, you're better off seeing your doctor as they will have your medical records, family history and they will be able to give you advice based on their knowledge and expertise as well as refer you to anyone they feel is suitable to your needs.
Postpartum depression is the feeling of sadness, separation, emptiness after you have your child. Even though you can hold your baby in the flesh, most mothers feel like the child is not apart of them anymore.
The best way to find out is most likely to get a professional opinion, and a second opinion on the particular situation.
You will know if you have postpartum depression because after your baby has been born you may feel weepy, anxious, moody or irritable. You can also lose your appetite, suffer from insomnia, have panic attacks and feel inadequate to take care of your baby. You may also feel suicidal, and have negative thoughts about your baby.
You get overly irritated about almost everything. You feel stressed and overwhelmed especially when it comes to infant care things. Mood swings, extremely emotional, feeling tired and or unmotivated most of the time.
There is no way to know unless you go to your doctor and he/she diagnoses you with it. If you believe you do, please visit your doctor and find advice from them.
Anonymous
May 14th, 2016 11:43pm
If you started having depression as soon as you gave birth to your child then you may have postpartum depression but if your looking for symptoms for postpartum depression, Here are the main symptoms of the depression.. 1. Depression immediately after childbirth, 2. Difficulty bonding with your child and 3. Resentment, Anger or Sadness towards your child for how your life is going.
After having the baby or after being pregnant you have a feeling of extreme sadness or extreme anxiety or both, you could be dealing with postpartum depression. Get help immediately that you are not dealing with this on your own.
Anonymous
May 21st, 2016 4:54am
You'll know if you go see a therapist/ your family doctor and talk it out with them - they will help you know for sure if you have it. No worries in the meantime until then.
By telling a healthcare professional how you are feeling and expierencing. People with postpartum depression begin to notice a change in their daily life. Example :they may no longer be interested in the things that were once important to them.
Along with symptoms similar to those of the baby blues, such as weepiness and anxiety, you may also become moody and irritable. Women with PPD can lose their appetite or their ability to sleep. Some have panic attacks. A small number of women believe they can't adequately care for their baby. Others report feeling suicidal or having disturbing negative thoughts about their baby.
Anonymous
May 22nd, 2016 2:50pm
Try and talk to a local doctor or maybe see a councilor if you're having concers about your mental health
Anonymous
May 28th, 2016 2:10pm
You should go see your doctor and talk with them about your symptoms and make a plan on how to treat it.
Everyone is different, and many people can tell you things, or you can read different things on the internet. And you may believe that all of them fit the description of what you are going through. However if you are experiencing what you think, feel, or believe is Postpartum depression, the best thing for "both" you and your child, are to seek the help of a medical professional/Healthcare provider who is trained to diagnose your symptoms and also help you in gaining the treatment that you need to cope and move forward.
You should see a therapist, somebody professional who can help you. If you want to vent with me, however, I'm here.
Anonymous
June 2nd, 2016 11:18pm
You can look on the NHS website online to find information on postpartum depression, you can also visit your assigned doctors to seek further advice and information from them.
You'll know if you have postpartum depression if you experience symptoms such as irritably and insomnia.
Only a doctor can say for certain if what you're experiencing is Postpartum Depression. If you're experiencing strong emotional feelings that are worrying you it's best to seek medical help for you and the safety of your baby.
Only a trained professional can diagnose depression. If you are concerned for your well being, consult with your OBGYN for resources related to postpartum depression and seek mental help.
Anonymous
July 23rd, 2016 8:08pm
You know you have pospartum depression when you just gave birth and are feeling down and even the thought of your child depresses you.
Do you have low energy, sadness, crying episodes, irritability, or changes in eating or sleeping? These are just signs of postpartum depression. Even if you just really don't have a desire to hold your baby or communicate with anyone. If you need to talk, I'm here. ~
I think postpartum depression is not just something you might immediatly recognise by yourself, but I think that you need to ask yourself if you are enjoying the current situation you are in. You just got a baby so its normal that you might feel overwhelmed, or anxious about whether you are doing it right or not. But are you enjoying your little baby despite of that? I think that is your answer is no, you should start to think of a postpartum depression. I think thats ofcourse it is not just that, but that it is important that you ask yourself that, so that help can be asked for in time.
Access this with a clinical physician or therapist. Postpartum depression is something to be taken seriously. Don't just rely on internet strangers.
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