Coalition of Mental Health

Postpartum depression is a specific, clearly defined psychological disorder. It is something women experience after giving birth, but not all women experience it. Most women feel a lack of energy and focus after giving birth, and many also feel somewhat down because of how their lives have changed, their lack of sleep and energy, and the loss of freedom that comes with having a child. This does not mean, however, that they are suffering from postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression will only be diagnosed if the new mother continues to have trouble focusing and functioning after a prolonged period of time, especially if it seems the baby might be suffering from the mother's condition. This form of depression can hit a new mother any time during the first year after giving birth. It does not have to happen right away in the first few weeks. Women who suffer from bi-polar disorder or other types of psychiatric disorders will find that they are more subject to getting postpartum psychosis, but it is still rare in that out of every one thousand births, one or two will end up with this problem.

Getting Help
It would be a good idea for all soon to be mothers to learn about postpartum depression so they can understand the signs and symptoms of the disorder. This way, they will be able to spot a problem sooner rather then later. The sooner a person gets treatment for their postpartum depression, the better off they, and everyone else involved, will be. There is nothing to be ashamed of by getting help as all women are at risk for this type of depression and with help, you are doing yourself a lot of good.

If you feel that you may be suffering from postpartum depression, seek help from your doctor right away. Depending on how severe your case is, your doctor may set you on a treatment plan and provide you with some helpful tips to manage through your day. Some good ideas for helping to cope with postpartum depression include getting rest whenever you can, such as when the baby is resting. Also, do not be afraid to ask your spouse, family, or friends for help with the household chores so that you are not putting too much pressure on yourself.

Make sure to also give yourself some quality time alone with your partner so that you can have some relaxing adult time without the baby crying for you. Talk to other mothers, both the experienced and new, in order to vent your frustrations and feelings. This is an excellent way to learn that you are not alone in your struggles with postpartum depression and they may be able to help you with some ideas for getting your life back on track. Whatever you do though, try to avoid spending too much time alone as this is not good for anyone suffering from postpartum depression, no matter the type it is.

It is not easy for parents to face teen depression when it hits their own child. Many parents will feel at that point that their relationship with the teen has spun completely out of control. While many teenagers report feeling lost or isolated, many parents of teens experience the very same thing - and often, neither is quite sure how to bridge the gap.

So many teens face problems that their parents are never aware of and this is part of the reason for the feeling of a distance between the generations. Because of the problems that occur in so many lives of teenagers, it is noticed that teen depression seems to be on the rise. Teen depression is something that should be taken seriously but too often it goes overlooked.

The reason most parents overlook the seriousness of teen depression is because they just do not realize that it really is depression in the first place. Most adults just view the teenager as being a normal teenager who struggles with their parents and with authority. Some adults and parents may just assume that their child is just showing really bad behavior. So the parents often punish the teenagers for their actions without ever putting much more thought into it other then for that. 

Signs To Look For

If you suddenly notice a big change in the behavior of your teenager, it is time to sit down and think a few things through. If possible, is there any sort of traumatic event that has taken place recently that you are aware of? If so, there may be a link but even if there is not anything in particular that you can think of, it could still be teen depression that you are facing. Learning about teen depression is the best way to try to understand what your son or daughter may be feeling as they may not have the tools to explain it all to you on their own.

Don't feel like you are on your own - there are people who can help if you fear there is a real problem your teen needs help dealing with. Speak to your child's doctor if you notice serious mood swings (one moment down, next acting like a sociopath, similar to bipolar disorder (Bipolar Test)), changes in their eating or sleeping patterns, differences in the way they dress, or a lack of interest in their appearance. These are just a few of the warning signs but are among the most common teens will display. The sooner you take action, the better you can help your teen before the situation really gets out of hand, and the less they will have to struggle.

Teen depression is a very serious disorder that can lead to suicide attempts, however, with proper medical assisstance every teen and their family can learn to cope, and hopefully return to normal life.