Inside Motherhood

Avoiding PostPartum Depression

by robyn on November 2nd, 2006

Is depression avoidable at all? For some, No. But since the majority of women who suffer with postpartum blues are mildly affected, there is a possibility that they could avoid it. Do you think you are one of those who are destined to suffer? Read this from Psychology Today:

It has became fashionable to call depression a disease, to medicalize it. And certainly neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine are involved in depression. But if you ask the more critical question—is biology the cause of depression?—the best data suggest that genes account for about one in five cases. The idea that a chemical imbalance causes depression, rather than reflects it, ignores the fact that the brain’s biochemistry responds to our ways of thinking—in short, to life experience.

If you did, however, suffer from postpartum depression before, then you are more likely to experience it in subsequent pregnancies. But, don’t get depressed ::grin::, there are ways to better your chances at avoiding it.

1. Avoid the triggers
There are two things to consider here. One is that you are healthy. Make sure that you take your vitamins, eat healthfully, check your iron/blood sugar and exercise (endorphins are like happy pills). A body that isn’t crying out for attention may be more able to support you after the traumatic experience of birth. The other major consideration with the trigger tip is to avoid what makes you overly reflective or sad. Make your home a haven of comfort (keep it clean and cozy) and consider taking time away from your overly stressful job (you just had a baby!). If guests don’t help the family atmosphere (and do the ever, really, help?), kick them to the curb.

2. Lessen your tech
While avoiding technology will make some of us instantly depressed, it’s recommended for people who struggle with depression:

Depending on whose data you believe, Americans watch between four and seven hours of television per day. This has insidious effects on our culture, such as reducing our tolerance for frustration. Watching major problems occur and get resolved in 30 minutes, with two commercial breaks really does lead us to underestimate the complexity of things.

3. Postive people
There is no need to be around negative people during this time. It’s not healthy for you, and you have to be healthy for your baby. Don’t allow negatives in the birthing room, or to stay overnight in your home. If they have an extended time in your town, get them a hotel. This one thing may be the biggest difference in your outlook during this period.

3. Check your outlook
A person who sees the worst in people and often takes things personally will be more likely to suffer.

For example, some people develop the tendency to take things personally, even when things are not personal. Or they tend to engage in all-or-nothing thinking. Either way, the result is that they draw wrong conclusions about events and make the mistake of believing those conclusions rather than testing them.

Here are some questions to help you decide if your outlook is a little off:
When people are looking at you, do you:
a. Think there must be someone behind you
b. Get annoyed that they are staring
c. Remember how fat you look and wish you hadn’t worn the top that shows your fat rolls so well
d. Think they need a hobby

When you get reprimanded at work, do you:
a. Get embarrassed, mad or sad
b. Decide that it’s the bosses’ fault and proceed to sabatoge her job
c. Take the criticism constructively and work towards fixing the problem

In both examples, the last one is the only healthy answer. The way I see it, taking things personally and being fatalistic are the easiest ways to ensure you will have depression, well other than letting your mom come and stay a few weeks with you…

If you’re pregnant now, talk with your doctor and see if he can help you come up with more ways to avoid the baby blues.

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POSTED IN: Healthy choices, Internet Mommy, Mothering