Postpartum depression is the most common type of female psychiatric disorder, and is a series of physical, emotional, and psychological changes brought about by changes in a woman’s sex hormones, social role, and psychology after childbirth. Typically, postpartum depression occurs within 6 weeks after delivery and can last throughout the puerperium, and in some cases, even until young children go to school. The incidence of postpartum depression ranges from 15% to 30%. Postpartum depression usually develops within 6 weeks and can recover on its own in 3-6 months, but severe cases can last 1-2 years, and there is a 20%-30% recurrence rate for another pregnancy.
Causes: 1. Perfectionist personality Because perfectionist women have high to unrealistic expectations of being a mother after giving birth and are unwilling to seek help when they encounter difficulties, they may not be able to adapt to being a new mother. They may also feel great pressure if their husbands rarely take care of the child together or if they lack moral support from their husbands.
2.Pregnant women who have had mood swings during pregnancy. Having severe mood swings during pregnancy, such as moving house, having a friend or relative leave, or war, etc. can make pregnant women more prone to postpartum depression. Many cases have shown that most women have shown signs of postpartum depression during pregnancy, and many of them will continue to deepen their depression after delivery.
3. Endocrine During the process of pregnancy and delivery, the endocrine environment in the body changes greatly, especially within 24 hours after delivery, and the rapid change of hormone levels in the body is the biological basis for the occurrence of postpartum depression. It is found that the release of placental steroids reaches the highest value before delivery, and the patient shows happy mood; after secretion, the patient shows depression when the secretion of placental steroids suddenly decreases.
4, genetic A family history of psychiatric disorders, especially a family history of depression, the incidence of postpartum depression is high, indicating that family genetics may affect a woman’s susceptibility to depression and her personality. The literature also reports that both twin own family practice studies confirm that the incidence of both uni- and bipolar affective disorder is higher in families with postpartum depression.
5, somatic factors Maternal with somatic diseases or disabilities have developed postpartum depression, especially when infection, fever has a certain impact on the promotion of postpartum depression. Then there is the susceptibility of central nervous function, the influence of emotional and motor information processing regulatory system (such as dopamine), may be related to the occurrence of postpartum depression.