Mental Health Monday: dealing with post-partum depression

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - Postpartum depression or PPD, also known as postnatal depression, is a mood disorder that can affect people of any gender after giving birth. It can cause intense feelings of sadness, anxiety, and fatigue that make it difficult to care for yourself and your baby.

While it is common to experience “baby blues” after giving birth, PPD is a different form of sadness. While baby blues typically go away on their own, PPD has to be professionally treated for it to go away, which usually happens within a few weeks if treated promptly. PPD can appear days to weeks after the baby is born.

Some warning signs of postpartum depression are a loss of interest in doing things, a change in eating habits, high anxiety and panic attacks, and intrusive thoughts. feelings of guilt and excessive crying, mood swings, thoughts of hurting yourself or the baby, and fear of being alone or not being a good mother. If you notice yourself showing signs of these symptoms, put your baby in a safe place and call for help.

If you or anyone you know needs help, call the national crisis hot line at 988. Call 911 in case of an emergency.

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