Generally, a woman who has just given birth will feel happy because she already has a child. Even so, there are also quite a few people who experience depression or mental problems after giving birth. This usually happens to mothers who give birth to their first baby. Usually, this disorder is also called baby blues syndrome.
However, not always the problem is caused by baby blues syndrome. Mothers can experience mental disorders due to postpartum depression. Even so, what is the difference between the two disorders? Here is a more complete review of the differences!
What is the Difference Between Baby Blues Syndrome and Postpartum Depression?
Baby blues syndrome is one of the disorders that can occur after giving birth. This is caused by sudden hormonal changes and a combination of stress , lack of sleep, and fatigue. Women with this problem can suddenly cry and be very fragile emotionally. Generally, this condition will disappear for a few weeks, but if it continues to worsen, the mother may experience postpartum depression.
Meanwhile, postpartum depression is a mood disorder that can affect women after giving birth. This causes sufferers to experience feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and fatigue. This problem affects a woman’s ability to care for herself or her baby. This disorder is considered more severe than women who experience baby blues syndrome.
Know some of the differences that can be seen between baby blues syndrome and postpartum depression:
1. Duration of Symptoms
One of the conditions that distinguishes the two disorders is how long the disorder can last. Baby blues syndrome generally only occurs in a few days and will last for a maximum of about 2 weeks. However, if the mother experiences postpartum depression, the disorder can occur for 1 month, up to 1 year after delivery.
2. Symptoms Caused
Mothers who experience baby blues syndrome are characterized by emotional ups and downs, as well as experiencing feelings of sadness, being more sensitive, to feelings of stress. Women with this problem can suddenly cry and experience feelings of anxiety because they are afraid of not being able to be good mothers.
This disorder is similar to postpartum depression but is relatively mild and short. Mothers who experience baby blues syndrome can still do their daily activities. Meanwhile, mothers who experience postpartum depression will cause more serious symptoms.
This disorder can make sufferers lose their appetite or even eat excessively. This problem can also make it more difficult to sleep and often feel tired even though you have slept all night. This also makes the mother hurt herself and even her baby.
3. Causal Factors
New mothers can experience baby blues syndrome caused by changes in the systems in the body. The severity is influenced by several psychological factors after childbirth.
Then, the cause of postpartum depression is a psychosocial factor that is mainly caused by excessive stress levels. This can occur with a combination of hormonal changes and ongoing problems.
That is the difference that can be known related to baby blues syndrome with postpartum depression. These two disorders are indeed very similar to each other. Therefore, if the mother experiences symptoms of postpartum problems, it is better to check with an expert.
Recognize the Early Symptoms of Baby Blues Syndrome during Postpartum
New mothers certainly need assistance and support from their closest family. This is because the mother’s body is still recovering. In addition, new mothers are very susceptible to baby blues syndrome. This condition occurs when the mother experiences rapid mood swings.
The signs can be seen when the mother experiences feelings of sadness, stress, anxiety, and crying for no reason. Although the initial symptoms that appear are usually not so clear, but baby blues syndrome that is not immediately treated will have a bad impact on the mother’s mental health. What are the early symptoms of baby blues syndrome that need to be watched out for? Here’s the discussion!
These Are the Early Symptoms of Baby Blues Syndrome
A few days after the birth process becomes a new time for a mother. Usually, at this moment the mother and the newborn baby will enter a period of adaptation. The mother will adapt to the newborn baby, as well as the baby who is still adapting to the new environment that he currently has. Well, at this moment many women experience baby blues syndrome .
When a mother experiences baby blues syndrome, they will feel a very rapid change in mood. The feeling can be a feeling of happiness changing to sadness, and vice versa. Hormonal changes that occur suddenly after the birth process are one of the triggering factors for why mothers experience baby blues syndrome. In addition to the rapid change in mood, here are some other early symptoms of baby blues syndrome :
- Crying for no apparent reason.
- Often feel impatient.
- Get angry more quickly.
- Feeling restless.
- A feeling of prolonged fatigue.
- Unable to sleep or rest.
- Constant feeling of sadness.
- Having trouble concentrating.
If you experience a number of early symptoms of baby blues syndrome, do not hesitate to ask a psychologist. Baby blues syndrome that is not treated immediately can worsen. This condition is known as postpartum depression. The symptoms themselves are almost the same, but the duration is longer and the impact can be dangerous for the mother’s health. In addition, postpartum depression can cause mothers to have difficulty getting close to their babies, lose their appetite, have excessive fear of not being able to be a good mother, feel helpless, have explosive emotions, panic disorders, and even think about hurting themselves and their babies.
Treat Baby Blues Syndrome Immediately
It is better to immediately check yourself to the nearest hospital when the mother experiences early symptoms of baby blues syndrome. Do not let health problems turn into postpartum depression. After giving birth, get to know more deeply the conditions experienced. Baby blues syndrome is normal for mothers who have just given birth and generally only lasts for a few weeks. Here are some simple steps to overcome baby blues syndrome :
- Talk to people close to you that you can trust. By telling them what you feel, this condition can make you feel more relieved.
- It is better to fulfill the nutritional and nutritional intake needs of the body. After giving birth, mothers need more nutritious intake to keep the body healthy.
- If mom feels bored, there’s nothing wrong with taking a break by going outside and enjoying the fresh air. Even for a moment, it can change your mood for the better.
- Ask your closest family for help to ease the work the mother needs to do related to taking care of the baby.
Of course all parents want the best for their children. However, do not expect mothers to be able to do everything perfectly. Do your best and allow yourself to try to get used to the new routine you have. Do not forget to do other fun things to keep your mental health well maintained.
