Guilt in postpartum depression

For a mother, the moment of giving birth is usually one of the most beautiful, happy and memorable episodes in the lives of most women, as well as their partners.

Although pregnancy can be a source of great joy for mothers, in certain cases it gives rise to experiences of intense emotional pain; On some occasions, a series of psychological problems or alterations may develop, especially after childbirth, at which time some women may begin to experience negative feelings that are not they expected.

Most of these psychological experiences of discomfort after the birth of the baby are characterized by feelings of melancholy, sadness, anxiety or discomfort; however, in some situations the problem becomes so pronounced that it constitutes a phenomenon clinically studied that constitutes a true pathology at the psychological level: depression postpartum. In this article we will see what this alteration is and how postpartum depression is associated with guilt.

What is postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression is a

Psychological disturbance experienced by some mothers, especially new ones, after the birth of their baby, characterized by symptoms of anxiety, discomfort and suffering related to depression. It is a phenomenon approached from psychotherapy, often within the framework of perinatal psychology.

This psychological phenomenon usually appears immediately after childbirth or up to a year after giving birth to the baby, although it usually develops during the 3 months following delivery.

It is an alteration that causes great discomfort in the mental health of mothers who suffer from it; it affects your mood, changes in your habits and also your social relationships.

Although the real causes of the phenomenon are not known, professionals agree that its appearance may be due to the hormonal imbalance suffered by mothers during pregnancy and childbirth.

On top of that, the stress caused by the birth of the baby, the insecurity of being new mothers and the constant care that the new member of the family receives, can also be the cause of depression postpartum.

Symptoms of Postpartum Depression

Since not all people are the same, each woman experiences depression differently postpartum and can develop a series of differentiated and unique symptoms, these are the most usual.

1. Irritability and mood swings

Irritability and mood swings are constant in women who develop cases of postpartum depression, and this It considerably affects your private life and the daily development of your responsibilities and relationships.

In these cases, mothers usually present a clear tendency to argue with the people around them. around, to get angry at the smallest thing that happens to them and to go from states of normality to anger or anger in Little time.

• Related article: "The 6 types of mood disorders"

2. anxiety and stress

As noted, postpartum depression is often caused by the anxiety of caring for a baby for the first time, as well as because of the stress that new mothers have.

In addition to depression, anxiety and stress are usually psychological disorders that profoundly affect women's mental health.

3. uncontrollable crying

Frequent, inconsolable crying is also one of the most common symptoms of postpartum depression.

Being such a visible and obvious symptom, it should be considered as a warning sign of postpartum depression in those mothers who have just given birth to their children.

• Related article: "Is it normal to cry often?"

4. trouble sleeping

Hormonal changes and imbalances in the mother's body also cause sleep disorders, especially sleep. insomnia.

These difficulties in falling asleep they tend to further worsen the health of the person and contribute to increasing their discomfort, irritability and mood swings.

5. Lack of appetite

Lack of appetite and changes in women's lifestyles are also common in cases of postpartum depression.

Likewise, it is also common for the person to abandon the activities that previously gave them pleasure and stop doing everything that previously filled them and made them happy.

6. intense sadness

Sadness is a classic symptom of postpartum depression, just as it is of normal depression., and constitutes a feeling that constantly accompanies the person.

Mothers who develop postpartum depression are unable to find comfort, happiness or fun in any activity, not even in those responsibilities linked to their new condition as mothers.

• You may be interested in: "The 8 types of sadness: characteristics, possible causes and symptoms"

guilt in postpartum depression

Guilt is another of the classic symptoms in postpartum depression and one of the elements that generates greater pain, suffering and anguish in mothers who develop this psychological disorder.

Most mothers with postpartum depression, feeling sad after giving birth, they also feel guilty for not being able to fully enjoy their motherhood and the care of her new child, as any mother would do under normal circumstances. At the same time, the gender roles that link motherhood with femininity come into play; This makes them feel like a failed project as a woman, as they do not conform to the expectations associated with the figure of the mother.

So, the fact not fit in with the classic attitudes expected of a mother devoted to her children and socially imposed gender roles (absolute dedication to caring for children, permanent availability, need and constant willingness to meet all the needs of the family etc.) can also generate feelings of guilt.

Finally, some mothers with postpartum depression may blame themselves for something they feel they have done wrong in the past, and consider that they deserve their depression and their discomfort at having acted badly or having done something bad at some point in their lives or during the pregnancy.