TRAVELS OF BEING A NEW PARENT.

Being a new parent is challenging and different for everyone. You might be doing something you've never done before and need to build new support systems to work through new experiences. For some people, this includes psychiatric disorders like depression, which is common in new parents. It's not just the person who gave birth that can experience it. If that's your experience, you're not alone. There are tools that can help you navigate new parenthood, and they've been verified by peer-reviewed science.

Symptoms of postpartum depression in women often include mood swings, frequent crying, trouble bonding with the baby, tiredness, fear of not being a good mother, and feelings of worthlessness or shame. Women may also experience restlessness and impaired decision-making. Postpartum depression in men is less studied, making it difficult to determine how many new fathers experience it. Some experts believe that men may present as more anxious than women when depressed, making it challenging to diagnose. There is ongoing debate about the causes of postpartum depression, with theories ranging from hormonal changes to the intense life adjustments that come with parenthood. Ultimately, postpartum depression is believed to be caused by a combination of biological and social factors, creating a challenging and stressful experience for new parents.

The most important factor is if their female partner has ppd, with 25 to 50 percent of new fathers experiencing this type of depression if their female partner also has it. Even if we don't know exactly what causes ppd, we do know that it's bad for the child. There's a lot of research showing that parental depression can affect children's development.

Having two depressed parents is even more of a risk factor for these problems than one. The good news is that ppd can be treated with therapy. Several studies have found that women who received interpersonal therapy recovered from their depressive episodes significantly better than those in a waiting list condition. Cognitive behavioral therapy has also been shown to work. Medications can help too, but breastfeeding women need to be careful about which ones they take.

Many women believe their ppd was a normal reaction to new motherhood or were ashamed of it. We have to destigmatize this stuff so that people can get the help they need without fear or shame. Experts have advocated for making ppd screening and treatment a normal part of prenatal care. Depression can be debilitating, especially during this sensitive time of having just become a parent. But depression is not the only postpartum psychiatric disorder.

Depression and anxiety disorders can be influenced by various factors such as marital status, finances, family support, and food security. Research suggests that these factors may impact hormone levels or gene expression, leading to symptoms. For example, postpartum depression can cause overwhelming sadness, fatigue, and loss of interest in daily activities. In the U.S., it affects up to one in five parents who give birth. However, numbers may increase with food insecurity or lack of access to healthcare.

These factors can also affect the development of postpartum generalized anxiety disorder and postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder. Some conditions, like postpartum PTSD, have specific environmental causes. Postpartum psychosis, on the other hand, is a rare and severe illness that requires immediate intervention. It is believed that genetics and hormones also play a significant role in mental health disorders.

Postpartum psychosis, for instance, occurs in about one or two out of every thousand births and symptoms appear shortly after delivery.

Delusions, mood swings, OCD, and anxiety can lead to severe impairments, putting a child at risk. Treatments are available, but scientists are still studying risk factors. Bipolar disorders seem to be a major factor, with postpartum psychosis possibly being an extreme form. It's important for those with a history of these conditions to talk to their doctor before giving birth. Understanding the risks is crucial for making informed decisions. There's no shame in seeking help for mental health issues after having a child.