Article: Postpartum Depression Fact Check
Postpartum Depression Fact Check
Postpartum depression, also called PPD, is a serious mood disorder that causes intense sadness, anxiety, and despair after childbirth. This makes daily tasks and caring for the new baby difficult. It lasts longer and is more severe than baby blues. It’s very important to know facts versus myths about postpartum depression, so you can help yourself, or someone you love, struggling with PPD.
from: MGH
You just have the baby blues.
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Maybe. Baby blues can be normal the first few weeks after birth. However, if you are feeling extremely anxious, or sad, several weeks or months after birth it could be more than baby blues. Check with your doctor.
from: Moms on Call
Postpartum depression starts right after birth.
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False. Postpartum depression can begin as early as during your pregnancy or even as late as a year after giving birth. Most commonly, postpartum depression starts in the first few months after giving birth.
from: Postpartum Progress
Postpartum depression goes away on its own.
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False. Postpartum depression does not go away on its own. Baby blues do go away on their own, but not postpartum depression. Even though postpartum depression doesn’t go away on its own, it is treatable. Speak with your doctor, who may recommend: antidepressants, psychotherapy, exercise, or change in nutrition.
from: CDPHP
Postpartum depression is preventable.
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False. There is nothing you can do to ensure you don’t get postpartum depression.
from: Shutterstock
Postpartum Depression only happens to women.
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False. While sufferers of postpartum depression are predominantly women, men can also suffer from postpartum depression. Many studies show that nearly 10% of new fathers get postpartum depression.
from: iStock
Postpartum depression makes you a bad parent, cry all the time, and harm your baby.
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False. Postpartum depression is a mental health condition, this means it is not a reflection of your parenting abilities. Crying is an aspect of postpartum depression, bu can happen irritability, anxiety, sleepiness, and even emotional numbness.Very few moms with postpartum depression harm their children.
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/depression/postpartum-depression/common-misconceptions
https://cambridgepsych.org/busting-some-myths-about-postpartum-mental-health/
