Depression is often dismissed in rebellious teenagers as a passing phase. However, it is important to recognize that depression can manifest in different ways and affect people of all ages. It has become a significant social issue impacting a large portion of the global population.
This article explores in depth into one such form - postpartum depression (PPD), a perinatal mood disorder that is caused by a drastic shift in hormones after giving birth.
Causes & Symptoms
Research has shown us that the levels of estrogen and progesterone are linked to PPD. They drastically increase during pregnancy and drop rapidly after birth - usually it takes about three days postpartum for the body to reset its hormonal levels back to normal, a similar level to pre-pregnancy stage.
However, hormonal fluctuations postpartum can lead to mood swings, irritability and fatigue which could result in depression. Other factors like sleep deprivation, stress from adjusting to a different lifestyle, and potential pre-existing mental health conditions, might also be contributing factors to symptoms of depression.
A mother may have PPD if she experiences the following symptoms - thoughts of harming herself or the baby; recurrent suicidal thoughts; feeling sad, worthless or hopeless; struggles with focus; loss of interest in hobbies; loss of energy; loss of appetite; having trouble sleeping or always exhausted; crying excessively or for no reason at all.
Treatment
Although there’s no cure for PPD, there are preventable measures that mothers can take to stabilise themselves progressively. They can reach out to their healthcare providers for antidepressants, antipsychotic medications and mood stabilizers; or undergo psychotherapy, and in a severe case of PPD, undergo electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to reset their brain. Other ways of coping include socialising with support groups and friends, and most importantly, adequate rest and self-care
Historical Mistreatment of Women with PPD
It is important to acknowledge that throughout history, gender bias has shaped medical treatment, often leading to harmful and unethical practices in managing women’s mental health. In the mid-20th century, women, including mothers with PPD, were disproportionately subjected to hazardous treatments such as lobotomies and heavy tranquilizers. A study of U.S. psychiatric facilities between 1949 and 1951 found that the majority of lobotomy patients were women.
Another dehumanizing treatment was the rest cure, a six-to-eight-week regimen of enforced bed rest and isolation. Women undergoing this treatment were forbidden from engaging in any intellectual stimulation and were subjected to a high-fat diet rich in milk and meat. Electrotherapy without anesthesia and massage were routine components of this so-called treatment. The inhumane nature of the rest cure was famously exposed in The Yellow Wallpaper, a semi-autobiographical short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, which critiqued the misogynistic medical practices imposed on women diagnosed with "hysteria."
Conclusion
Despite advancements in modern medicine, stigma and outdated narratives surrounding women’s health persist. These harmful misconceptions not only affect medical outcomes but also strip women of their bodily autonomy. Women should not have to suffer in silence due to society’s failures. Instead, we must advocate for awareness, challenge stigmas, and empower each other to seek the support and care we deserve.
