How To Help Individuals Coping With Postpartum Depression
Since postpartum depression affects around one in ten women and men, it is quite probable that you will know someone who has or is going through this condition. Signs of postpartum depression (PPD) might present themselves at any point throughout pregnancy, after delivery, or even several months later.
The good news is that there are many different methods for you to be of assistance, including the following:
Acquaint yourself with the manifestations of PND.
PND is similar to depression that can occur at any other time in a person’s life, and common symptoms include difficulty sleeping, hopelessness, crying, obsessive thinking, anxiety, hopelessness, negative ruminations, and loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed. Some new parents may have feelings of alienation from their infant and may even entertain the idea of hurting themselves or their child as a result.
Inspire them to discuss their concerns with a healthcare practitioner.
Even if you can be there to give support, there are instances when the situation calls for the assistance of a professional. Encourage them to discuss their choices with healthcare experts, such as their NHS general practitioner, midwife, or health visitor, and support them in doing so. It is their responsibility to provide assistance, and there is a wide range of treatment and support options available, some of which may include psychotherapy and/or medication. You might also consult with one of our specialist psychologists who has expertise assisting people who are suffering from postnatal depression.
Find support and treatment for postpartum depression online at Clarity Chi.
Stay there and pay attention; you won’t be expected to make any changes.
Just be present and enjoy the time you have with your loved one. Give them a place where they may safely express their feelings and be heard, regardless of what it is that they are experiencing. Things’s natural to want to pitch in and provide advise, try to figure it out on your own, or look for ways to “fix it,” but doing so might not be productive.
Exhibit compassion, caring, and understanding towards others.
It is essential to understand that premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMD) is not anyone’s responsibility, either yours or theirs. Adjustments need to be made in all facets of life during pregnancy, including social, relational, physical, and emotional states, as well as shifts in one’s identity and one’s duties in life. It’s not surprising that a lot of individuals have trouble because this material is challenging. Recognize that most of what occurs in our brains is not our responsibility, and that we do not deliberately choose to be depressed.
Encourage them to maintain a nutritious diet, stay active, and get enough of rest.
It is critical to ensure that the fundamentals are covered (at least to the extent that it is possible with a new baby!). According to research, maintaining a good diet, getting enough sleep, and being active can provide a significant buffer against the symptoms of depression and even compete with the impact of drugs with a natural sleep aid.
Increasing one’s accomplishments and one’s participation in rewarding activities
People who suffer from depression have a tendency to accomplish less and less over time, and possibilities for fulfillment may entirely vanish; even the act of dressing themselves or brushing their teeth may feel like too much.
Even if the person has to push themselves to do the activity, it may be of tremendous assistance to encourage them to complete a simple task each day that provides them with a feeling of accomplishment or satisfaction. Plan activities together for the future; they do not need to be huge activities; simple (and tiny) activities go a long way, such as bringing baby out for a stroll. If you plan activities together, they do not need to be major activities.
Seek general support
Is there anything that those in your larger support network can contribute or do to assist you, and do you have such a network? Whether it be doing the laundry, going a stroll with the dog, or preparing a supper for the family. Others are usually willing to lend a hand, in spite of their pride or their misgivings about “putting people out.”
In their capacity as parents, you should provide words of support.
People who suffer from depression frequently become mired in excessively self-critical thought patterns, in which they constantly berate themselves and tell themselves they are “terrible parents.” It is essential for a mother or father to communicate to their child that they are doing a good job, even in the face of difficulties, and that the individual is significant to the parent.
