How do I know if my friend has postpartum depression?
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Last Updated: 12/16/2020 at 3:15am


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Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
October 8th, 2016 9:39am
It's not wise to diagnose other people, friends, family or not. Only that person knows what they are experiencing, how they feel, what they are thinking. You should have a conversation with this person before you continue talking about them behind their back. Say something like "I'm worried about you. Can we talk? How are you feeling lately?" When appropriate say, "I've gotta be honest: I'm worried you might have postpartum depression. I'm worried about my friend and I'd feel better if you read some postpartum material with me, or looked into it on your own time."
Only a professional (psychologist / psychotherapist / psychiatrist) can diagnose your friend, but you can see some of the symptoms which can make you suspicious about it and it is a good sign to look for help. You should look if your friend showing any depression symptoms for example: low self-esteem, persistent sadness, anxiousness or feeling od emptiness. Does your friend feel worthless or hopeless? Has suicidal or self-harm thoughts? Feels inadequate in taking care of the baby? Problems with sleep? Stopped self-caring? There's more signes which can make you worry about your friends condition. As I said. If you're seeing that something is wrong, you should contact with someone who can help professionally. I hope that i've helped you :)
Anonymous
May 25th, 2016 3:07pm
if she feels overwhelmed, guilty if she is irritable and cries Depends how well she seems to bond with her baby
Look for any major changes in him/her after childbirth. They may have great sadness, low energy, may be very tired, be irritable, have anxiety, might not be eating well or eating more than they normally do and may have crying episodes.
Anonymous
August 27th, 2017 8:18am
Postpartum depression looks different (it effects all women that have it differently) so it is not that easy as just looking at your friend and "knowing" she has postpartum depression. being a new mum can be isolating, challenging and even a little scary at times. Speaking with your friend and being there for her is the best way for her to feel comfortable to open up to you if she is feeling a it more than the baby blues, and if she does open up to you and let you know she might be struggling, support her and help her get help, speaking with her dr or a therapist might be a good idea for her. if you are worried about your friend and you have tried talking to her but you still feel unsure then there is this website http://www.postpartumprogress.com/the-symptoms-of-postpartum-depression-anxiety-in-plain-mama-english
I would still say speaking with your friend is the best way to help her and to know what is going on with her though.
may have a detachment to the baby, may show a lack of self care (dirty clothes, unkempt hair etc), crying, unable to sleep, lack of emotions. sadly, postpartum depression can look different depending on the person and the severity so the most important thing is to just look for things that are out of the ordinary while keeping in mind that having a new baby can make everything a little out of the ordinary
there are a lot of symptoms to look for when understanding post part depression, feelings of sadness or hopelessness are some of the first signs. It is normal for a new mom to be tired and overwhelmed but losing interest in activities or reduced social interactions is a sign for concern. If your friend is also continuing to worry and stress about being a good mom this might be a sign of postpartum depression. It is important to monitor these symptoms and if they don't diminish in 2 weeks it is best to find your friend a mental health professional. This professional can talk to your friend about these feelings and help her work through this hard time. It sounds like you are a really good friend and she is lucky to have you in her support system.
Anonymous
March 28th, 2020 12:14pm
Check in with her, and ask open ended questions like 'how are you feeling' and 'what have you eaten today?'
If you are concerned about her answers, straight out ask 'do you think you could be experiencing postpartum depression?'
If you have the space to be of support to her ask 'how can I best support you during this time?'
Things that can often be appreciated are:
Offer to make meals, get groceries, or drive her to doctors appointments.
Ultimately, know it is not your responsibility to 'save her from depression.' That is beyond your control. Extending support can be gracious, make sure you are not trying to replace professional medical / psychological support.
Anonymous
December 16th, 2020 3:15am
Oftentimes, asking directly yet sensitively is the best approach. Especially for something like postpartum where the parent/guardian's main focus is their child rather than their own wellbeing. Assuming or imposing a diagnosis on your friend, even if you happen to be correct is tricky because it could corner them or come across as if it appears they are doing something wrong in their newfound parenthood. They would likely appreciate you being there for them and that first step could just be acknowledging their struggle as a new parent/guardian and offering your genuine support and care. We don't know anything for sure until it comes from the source(s) itself, so why not go to them! You got this!
If he starts to withdraw from activities, and when he goes to the doctor and gets his tests done, the results will show.
If your friends character really changes the moment she steps into motherhood. The definition 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.
If your friends mood really changed going into motherhood. If you are really worried tell her to go talk to her doctor she might have a hormonal imbalance.
Anonymous
March 26th, 2016 6:48am
Without medical advice you cannot diagnose her, you an only be there for her and offer advice when needed, Maybe you can suggest taking her to a doctor.
There are some classic signs about postpartum depression. You can search for them online and if you feel that your friend demonstrates them, you can talk to her directly. You can also share your concren with her family.
Have you asked them? Or have they possibly hinted or shown possible characteristics that point to that? Makes sure to discuss it with your friend. It wouldnt be good to make an assumption.
Have they exhibited symptoms? Has it come up in conversation and they get uncomfortable? Have they shown signs of it or brought it up? Have they told you they might have it?
The internet has lots of useful websites. health.gov is a website than can help identify the symptoms.
Anonymous
May 14th, 2016 11:33pm
It is depression right after childbirth, The symptoms of Postpartum depression are signs such as Difficulty bonding with their new baby, Anger, Sadness, Etc. The same symptoms as regular depression except it happens right after the mother gives birth to her new child.
Anonymous
May 22nd, 2016 2:51pm
Try and recomed them to see a doctor, if not be there for them if they need someone to lend an ear to help
People may experience:
Mood: anger, anxiety, guilt, hopelessness, inability to feel pleasure, mood swings, or panic attack
Whole body: fatigue, loss of appetite, or restlessness
Psychological: depression, fear, or repeatedly going over thoughts
Behavioral: crying or irritability
Cognitive: lack of concentration or unwanted thoughts
Weight: weight gain or weight loss
Also common: insomnia
Anonymous
June 24th, 2016 2:06am
I would know that my friend has postpartum depression if she has been feeling alone, worthless, sad, or despaired after she had recently given birth to her baby. She may also get tearful and cry.
You can ask her. Just don't go playing doctor and studying her like a science experiment. Don't go all psycho-analytic on your friend.
If you want to know, just go online and see the signs of postpartum depression. So if she does show some of the signs, just don't throw it in her face and tell her to get her life together.
Address it in a calm matter, don't make it seem as though she's messed up. Go up to her and say, "Hey, I'm really worried about you. Have you been to a doctor? I'm concerned about your well-being."
See how it goes from there.
Your friend may have postpartum depression after giving birth. You should support her and listen to her in any way you can, and offer assistance. As well, you can suggest her to go to a doctor.
The birth of a baby can trigger a jumble of powerful emotions, from excitement and joy to fear and anxiety. But it can also result in something you might not expect — depression.
Many new moms experience the "postpartum baby blues" after childbirth, which commonly include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. Baby blues typically begin within the first two to three days after delivery, and may last for up to two weeks.
But some new moms experience a more severe, long-lasting form of depression known as postpartum depression. Rarely, an extreme mood disorder called postpartum psychosis also may develop after childbirth.
Postpartum depression isn't a character flaw or a weakness. Sometimes it's simply a complication of giving birth. If you have postpartum depression, prompt treatment can help you manage your symptoms — and enjoy your baby.
The best way to find out if your friend is going through anything is by talking to them, ask them if they are okay, some people just need a hand in the dark
Anonymous
August 3rd, 2016 3:18am
Oooh would be a good idea to look into the symptoms online in as much detail as can be and find a way to discuss this and refer even more help to.
If you have any reason to believe that your friend has postpartum depression, you should tell her parent(s) and tell her to seek professional help.
Anonymous
August 7th, 2016 6:38pm
You can talk to your friend and find some information about postpartum depression. It is good that you care about your friend, do not leave her alone.
just try to be in tune with how they are acting.. do they seem to wanna be alone or inside more of the time? are they more gloomy than usual? how are their grades in school if you are in school? alot of things play into depression. keep tabs on how they are doing and just be there for them no matter what. they need to feel like someone cares. they are lucky to have a friend like you.
Speaking with your friend about what their going through is always a good place to start. Make sure your friend is in a space where they feel safe, and try to be as open and non-judgmental as you can. Make sure your friend knows they can open up to you about anything they are feeling right now, but remember they may not feel comfortable talking about this with you. And that is okay.
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