What You Need to Know About Post-Natal Depression

Post-natal or postpartum depression affects millions of women. Nearly all new mothers experience the "baby blues," which usually dissipates in the first days and weeks following pregnancy. However, an additional 10% to 20% will experience a more severe form that interferes with their daily living activities — some even progress to psychosis.

Understanding postpartum depression symptoms and causes can help you find the right treatment. It can also help you better support the one you love if they're struggling. Here's what you need to know about post-natal depression.

1. Know Where to Find Postpartum Depression Treatment

Unfortunately, finding postpartum depression treatment isn't the easiest thing to do. It's wise to talk to your obstetrician well before birth. The intake process for mental health services can take roughly forever, especially if you rely on government health insurance. You may have to sit for long hours awaiting an intake appointment — not a convenience for new moms.

Giving birth is expensive, but hopefully, you'll hit your out-of-pocket max. After that point, your insurer should pickup the cost of treatment. If possible, try to start services the same year you give birth so your insurance doesn't reset, leaving you with looming deductibles and copays.

What if you are among the millions without insurance? Some clinics provide sliding-fee-scale services — investigate your options. Many states offer extra care services for new mothers as well. You can also explore the world of mental health apps, which can help you manage your postpartum depression treatment even when you can't get to a therapist. Many new moms find these useful because they demand less time away from their new babies.

2. Learn How to Lend a Hand With Postpartum Depression Symptoms

Postpartum depression symptoms can make it seem like someone has hijacked someone you love. Their neurobiology is to blame — however, you can make a meaningful difference in their recovery by lending a helping hand.

One of the most meaningful things you can do is help with daily chores. New moms have a ton on their plate. If you're their partner, please remember your job is to do more than help. You're an equal participant — although you may need to pick up more than your fair share of the slack for a few weeks to months after birth.

Everyone has different postpartum depression symptoms. Some moms may experience physical signs like continued nausea with their severe case of the baby blues.

3. Understand the Physiological Processes Postpartum Depression Causes

It helps to understand many postpartum depression causes arise from physical changes. One of the culprits behind postpartum depression is sleep deprivation. There's a reason armies worldwide employ this to torture people — it can seriously mess with your mind.

What's worse, depression itself messes with your sleep-wake cycle. You could find yourself caught in a negative feedback loop where too little sleep the night before leads to excessive daytime sleepiness. Considering your baby will wake you during the night, it's okay to power nap.

Another cause is the steep drop in estrogen and progesterone levels after birth. You could notice this shift as you start shedding the lustrous locks you grew during pregnancy. Your hormones impact your neurotransmitters — those brain chemicals influencing your mood.

When you recognize this, your postpartum depression becomes easier to understand — some women find that understanding the biology helps them cope. Knowing the postpartum depression causes allows you to recognize your struggles are not your fault.

4. Remember This Will Pass

Please tell yourself two things if you're a mom struggling with postpartum depression:

●      Your emotions might seem overwhelming, but they are temporary.

●      You are not your emotions.

When the worst of the blues strike, take a moment to center yourself through mindfulness. Take five minutes to sit and focus only on your breath. It helps to repeat a mantra, such as the one suggested by the great Buddhist leader Thich Nhat Hanh. "Breathing in, I am aware that I am breathing in. Breathing out, I am aware that I am breathing out." Regulating your breath helps activate your parasympathetic nervous system, calming anxious feelings that can make postpartum depression worse.

You will get through this. Postpartum depression might present frustrating symptoms, but understanding the causes, seeking treatment and giving time a chance to work its magic could have you feeling back to normal soon.

Postpartum Depression Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

It's crucial to understand postpartum depression's causes and symptoms. Knowing the signs helps you determine when it's time to seek treatment.

Consider talking to your obstetrician today if you're an expectant mother concerned about post-natal depression. Establishing a support system in advance can make the birth process and the weeks that follow much more manageable.

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Beth, the Managing Editor and content manager at Body+Mind, is well-respected in the mental health, nutrition and fitness spaces. In her spare time, Beth enjoys cooking and going for runs with her dog.