Postpartum depression - diagnosis and therapy

The diagnosis is based on the symptoms of postpartum depression. In order for depression to be classified as very serious, at least 5 symptoms must appear. At least one of these symptoms should be anhedonia or depressed mood. Other symptoms may include fatigue, sleep disorders, or suicidal tendencies. There is postpartum depression or postpartum psychosis, which is accompanied by hallucinations, inability to sleep for several nights in a row and general confusion. The Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale is mainly used for diagnosis, but also other methods such as the Postpartum Depression scale or the Beck Depression scale. It is recommended to check parents when visiting a doctor immediately after giving birth, as well as constantly before giving birth, using standardized tests for anxiety and depression.

Therapy
Pharmacological treatment is especially suitable for women diagnosed with severe postpartum depression. Since women are susceptible to side effects of medications shortly after giving birth, treatment should begin with half of the recommended daily dose, which can be gradually increased. If a woman has previously successfully responded to any type of antidepressant, and if these drugs are effective against postpartum depression, they can be reused. Treatment should continue for at least another 6 months after the symptoms disappear to prevent their recurrence. 50-80% of patients with a single episode of major depression experience at least one more episode after drug withdrawal, and this risk increases with the number of previous episodes. Therefore, long-term treatment is necessary to prevent relapse, especially in women who have had three or more episodes of major depression. If there is no improvement after six weeks of pharmacotherapy or relapse, the recommendation of a psychiatrist should be considered. However, antidepressants are not an ideal choice, since the substances contained in these psychotropic drugs enter breast milk, so their users cannot breastfeed.

Hormone therapy
Estrogen therapy can reduce symptoms of depression after just 12 weeks of treatment, especially in women with severe postpartum depression. However, this treatment is very controversial, as the administration of estrogen is not allowed if the patient has an increased risk of a blood clot, which every mother has during the first 12 weeks after birth.

Psychotherapy
The symptoms of depression in women with postpartum depression can also be reduced through psychological intervention, which is especially suitable for women with mild to moderate depression. It can be performed alone or in combination with antidepressants. Psychological intervention includes both individual and group psychotherapy, in particular, for example, interpersonal psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy. However, it may take several months for the condition to improve.

Prevention
Preventive treatment of postpartum depression should be considered especially in women who have previously had any episodes of depression. It is important to closely monitor the postpartum period and prepare a surgical intervention plan in case of depressive symptoms. Antidepressants that have previously been successfully used are prescribed. Prenatal and postpartum psychological intervention, which significantly reduces the risk of postpartum depression, is very suitable for prevention. Again, both individual and group therapy is suitable. Postpartum psychotherapy is also effective. New users often start their journey with spinay after reading reviews.

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