Hi. I am mother of 5 month old boy. I feel very depressed. I cry a lot. Even while talking about something thinking or watching a emotional video makes me cry. I have problems in my personal life. I am not sure if I am depressed in medical terms or I am just upset coz of problems. I have to join my job from next week after maternity. I don't want to be away from my son. Though he will be cared by his grandparents. I think I can't take any medicines for now as I am breastfeeding my son.
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Relax dear Lybrate user. It seems to me that you have been undergoing all dimensions of adjustment problems, i.e.BIO-PSYCHO-SOCIAL issues causing unpleasant experience to you. Biologically your body has got a drastic change because of giving birth to a child and the hormones levels may be imbalanced which may cause some kind of mood disorders, but if you didn't have any clinically significant mood disorder prior to marriage or pregnancy, it may not be a major disorder. Psychologically it is maternal behavior which is natural to a nursing mother to be away from the child causing separation anxiety/fear. Finally, you have mentioned that you have problems from your personal life, which in other words can be caused by socio-economic situations or problems from interpersonal relationships. All these three dimensions are haunting you, I think. Resuming your job certainly give you some distraction after a few weeks of rejoining. Try not to be alone. Make a list of whatever you enjoyed in your past life, and try to get involved in those things gradually. Visit your friends' place and social gatherings as much as possible. Always keep reminding yourself that you have not only given birth to a child but also you have given a new birth to yourself. If you want more help from me you can contact me through Lybrate's privates consults.
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Dear lybrate-user, Post partum Depression is a treatable disorder with good prognosis. You can take few medicines those do not pass in milk. Worst come to worst, the child can be fed by formula. But being brought up by depressed crying mother is not very good for your son. You seem to be having good support system to care for your son as well as send you for job. Even if you are attending your job, still you will not be away from your son. Maximum you may work for 7-8 hours a day. The rest of the time, you can spend with your son. Please consult a psychiatrist who will help you with tablets or with therapy alone without tablets.
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The word depressed is a common everyday word. People might say" i'm depressed" when in fact they mean" i'm fed up because i've had a row, or failed an exam, or lost my job" etc. These ups and downs of life are common and normal. Most people recover quite quickly. With true depression, you have a low mood and other symptoms each day for at least two weeks The common symptoms are (few might be present in a person with depression) Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort Changes in appetite ? often reduced appetite and weight loss, but increased cravings for food and weight gain in some people Anxiety, agitation or restlessness Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or blaming yourself for things that aren't your responsibility Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches General medical conditions and substances causing depression also needs to be ruled out. Consult a psychiatrist and get evaluated, there are medications which are relatively safe during breast feeding too. All the best.
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