Postpartum Depression in Teenage Pregnancy: Facing It Head On

Postpartum mood disorder (PPMD) is not an isolated case. Would you believe that the annual count of women experiencing said condition is at par with the number of individuals who suffer from sprained ankles? Startling, isn’t it? Roughly speaking, at least 10% of women undergo PPMD, which involves postpartum depression (PPD), postpartum psychosis and postpartum anxiety.

Throughout history, people have conducted studies, compiled articles, and presented well-documented incidents that reveal the probable cause of PPD and how to manage the same.

Postpartum depression is a medical condition, which affect women in the first few months after childbirth. PPD is characterized by withdrawal from society, hopelessness, low self-esteem, insomnia, lack of concentration, anger, frustration, irritability and even suicidal inclinations.

More often than not, individuals link PPD to women who cannot cope with the demands of parenthood or women who have recurring episodes of depression prior the pregnancy. But studies show otherwise. Women of sound thinking also experience PPD. Women of good standing also suffer from PPD. And this façade of invincibility as veiled by the community is the same reason why these individuals are having a hard time admitting and accepting that they have a problem.

Causes. PPD appears to be triggered by the sudden alteration of one’s hormone level. The change in level is likely to arise after childbirth. Women who possess some history of depressions have higher possibility to experience PPD. But same does not mean that they are the only ones at risk to such medical depression. Every woman is at the helm of PPD during the initial months after the infant’s delivery.

Management. Like everything else, acceptance is always the first step. Recognizing one’s frailty is hard. One may even go into severe depression. But this has to be done. Look around you, you have family members supporting you. You have a community willing to help you get back on your feet. Nobody said that you should face this alone.

This is not a burden that must be carried by a fragile and lone woman, remember these things:

PPD is fleeting. It will pass. Don’t ever doubt your capacity to overcome the same. Self-doubt is a shackle that can only be released by trust and faith to oneself and to the people that surrounds you. If you can’t seem to find the key to free yourself from the shackle, don’t worry. There are individuals who are willing to help you trudge along the road of recovery.

Take care of yourself. Have a break. Cut yourself some slack. Don’t pressure yourself to be an all-around mom washing dishes, doing the laundry, cleaning after the kids, preparing meals, going shopping, etc. Start small then gradually increase your work load. You can even hire a cleaning maid to help with the chores.

Medical intervention. Don’t be scared to ask professional help. PPD is a transitory phase, however when one is in too deep, there is no other choice but to get advice from the experts. Sometimes all you need is the extended hand of science to pull you out of the gutter of PPD.

Self-affirmation. People can encourage you; they will help you pull through. But they can only do so much. You must take active part in confirming that you are on the path of recovery. Don’t underestimate the power of self-affirmation; it will prove compelling and uplifting.