HOW TO STOP DEPRESSION

In life we sometimes get mad at the people who are in our life for staying that we push them away and hate them for leaving.

Pain ,trauma, physical reminders and emotional scars have a way of being etched so deep in our mind that we go on an instinctual defensive mode.

We raise our walls and without knowing the very thing we where trying to avoid is what happens .

How do we avoid this ? The simple but hard solution is to simply to deal with the root cause of our triggers. Whatever causes you to need to protect yourself even when you don't need to protect yourself needs to be regulated.

How you ask? By simply saying this made me heart because it reminded me of this. However you then have to realize that this is a completely different situation and or person and or thing. And judging it based on a past experience unrelated is making a poor decision an unfair decision.

We need to learn how to heal our emotions by feeding them on a healthy emotional diet.  Feeling yourself with love, acceptance,and kindness . Knowing that someone else's decisions and opinions are their own and they should have little to no effect on how you see yourself.

You are the most important person in your life .Fill yourself with positivity and reassurance and most importantly self love.

Let your guard down. Set aside your pride and disconnect all the parts of your life that only bring you pain even if it also brings you joy. Choose you . Choose to heal .

Cry through the lows ,laugh through the highs but don't ever agree to feel that you don't deserve to be here Abit longer to try achieve the happiness you deserve.

KNOWING YOUR TRIGGERS AND HEALING FROM YOUR TRAUMA

YOUR TRAUMA IS NOT YOUR FAULT BUT HEALING IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

Let me start by defining what trauma is.

Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape or natural disaster. Immediately after the event, shock and denial are typical. 

Longer term reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea exhaustion, confusion, sadness, anxiety, agitation, numbness, dissociation, confusion, physical arousal, and blunted affect. 

There are three main types of trauma

Acute.

Chronic.

Complex.

Acute trauma results from a single incident.

Chronic trauma is repeated and prolonged such as domestic violence or abuse.

Complex trauma is exposure to varied and multiple traumatic events, often of an invasive, interpersonal nature.

Alot of the time when we experience certain traumas and haven't dealt with those feelings or have not gone to seek help inorder to begin to heal from trauma and we end up trauma bonding .

Trauma bonding is the attachment an abused person feels for their abuser, specifically in a relationship with a cyclical pattern of abuse. The bond is created due to a cycle of abuse and positive reinforcement in most cases acts of kindness or one seeks forgiveness and says they don't know what came over them or are truly sorry.

Most trauma bonds occur in relationships.which basically is a deep emotional attachment that develops in a relationship characterized by abuse that's emotional, physical, or both. ... "Exploitive relationships create trauma bonds. These occur when a victim bonds with someone who is destructive to them and choose to stay for various reasons.

All in all trauma not identified will always cause destruction of your own life and those around you.

We don't deserve to go through pain and trauma . However it is a part of life and it is important that we choose to want better for ourselves . To improve our lives and enable ourselves to live in our truth. 

To do that it is important that we face our demons no matter how much it hurts . Some scars last a lifetime however inorder for us to live this lifetime we have got to accept the things we can't change and change the things that we are able to.

Believe in you. You deserve the best and don't doubt that and then work towards getting the grass green . Live, Learn,Laugh,Love and never stop dreaming . 

If you need help feel free to reach out to me and I will ensure you get help.   Http://linktr.ee/nairobifeminist

THE HARDEST LESSON YOU WILL EVER LEARN IN THIS LIFE IS THAT YOU ARE ALONE

LONELINESS DOESNT COME FROM HAVING NOBODY AROUND. IT COMES FROM NOT BEING ABLE TO COMMUNICATE THE THINGS THAT REALLY MATTER

You know one of those days where every thing that could go wrong just goes wrong.

That by the time it gets to the end of the day you just get into bed and feel completely drained. You wonder what's the point of life! Endless torture!  a game where you loose more than you win...

As you go through the waves and the voice in your head just keeps pounding you with even more negatively. You cry out for help but nobody can truly understand what your going through.

You want to scream that your drowning but you can't. Or even when you choose to ask for help you realise there's only so much anyone can do for you because everyone is fighting their own battles.

Or even when you are constantly there for people but no body resceprocates it back to you or in some cases people see you as a place of release .where they dump their pain all on you find peace and leave the weight on your shoulders.

It becomes clear that although we have friends who care ,family who love us and even careers that satisfy our needs and wants. You still can't help but still alone!

In those moments you wonder what life really is supposed to be about because everything you thought it was supposed to be really isn't what it's playing out to be and you wonder how can you deal with it.

I read a quote that said ,"The quicker you accept things as they are the sooner you will discover peace."

It resonates with me because I finally understood what it meant. Denial means resistance and just as the word suggest you are fighting /resisting what is occuring naturally. You got to exactly where you are based on the choices you have made. Both willingly and unwillingly.  

Your situation will not change because you don't agree with it . It will only change when you make the changes necessary . 

Before you can do that you have to sit in silence with yourself Listen to all the thoughts racing in your stillness and then silence the voices that bring you sadness, the voices that cause the resistance. Remove the fear and do what is natural without resistance.

That's why after a good cry you find peace because you have released and are no longer in resistance . You have accepted.

Live, love, laugh ,learn and never stop dreaming because dreams do come true. Ask anyone that refused to give up

TYPES OF DEPRESSION & SYMPTOMS #mentalhealth

WHEN WE DONT HEAL FROM OUR SCARS THEY END UP INFECTING US AND WE PROJECT THE PAIN TO THOSE AROUND US.

Happier new month.

We have all had a difficult time this year,and looking at some of your emails and questions . Made me realise how important it is to share more about the types of depression.

You might be wondering why you have changed so much. Why you are withdrawn , constantly sad and your just wondering what's going on with you both physically and emotionally. 

Depression affects everyone differently, and you might only have some of these symptoms. You may also have other symptoms that aren’t listed here. Keep in mind that it’s also normal to have some of these symptoms from time to time without having depression.

But if they start to impact your day-to-day life, they may be the result of depression.

So here are some of the common symptoms of depression:

• deep feelings of sadness
• dark moods
• feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness
• appetite changes
• sleep changes
• lack of energy
• inability to concentrate
• difficulty getting through your normal activities
• lack of interest in things you used to enjoy
• withdrawing from friends
• preoccupation with death or thoughts of self-harm

There are many types of depression. While they share some common symptoms, they also have some key differences.

Here’s a look at nine types of depression

Major depression

Major depression is also known as​ major depressive disorder, classic depression, or unipolar depression. 

People with major depression experience symptoms most of the day, every day. Like many mental health conditions, it has little to do with what’s happening around you. You can have a loving family, tons of friends, and a dream job. You can have the kind of life that others envy and still have depression.

Even if there’s no obvious reason for your depression, that doesn’t mean it’s not real or that you can simply tough it out.

It’s a severe form of depression that causes symptoms such as:

• despondency, gloom, or grief
• difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
• lack of energy and fatigue
• loss of appetite or overeating
• unexplained aches and pains
• loss of interest in formerly pleasurable activities
• lack of concentration, memory problems, and inability to make decisions
• feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness
• constant worry and anxiety
• thoughts of death, self-harm, or suicide

These symptoms can last weeks or even months. Some people might have a single episode of major depression, while others experience it throughout their life. Regardless of how long its symptoms last, major depression can cause problems in your relationships and daily activities.

 Persistent depression

Persistent depressive disorder​ is depression that lasts for two years or more. It’s also called dysthymia or chronic depression. Persistent depression might not feel as intense as major depression, but it can still strain relationships and make daily tasks difficult.

Some symptoms of persistent depression include:

• deep sadness or hopelessness
• low self-esteem or feelings of inadequacy
• lack of interest in things you once enjoyed
• appetite changes
• changes to sleep patterns or low energy
• concentration and memory problems
• difficulty functioning at school or work
• inability to feel joy, even at happy occasions
• social withdrawal

Though it’s a long-term type of depression, the severity of symptoms can become less intense for months at a time before worsening again. Some people also have episodes of major depression before or while they have persistent depressive disorder. This is called double depression.

Persistent depression lasts for years at a time, so people with this type of depression may start to feel like their symptoms are just part of their normal outlook on life.

Manic depression, or bipolar disorder

Manic depression consists of periods of mania or hypomania, where you feel very happy, alternating with episodes of depression. Manic depression is an outdated name for​ bipolar disorder.

In order to be diagnosed with bipolar I disorder, you have to experience an episode of​ mania​ that lasts for seven days, or less if hospitalization is required. You may experience a depressive episode before or following the manic episode.

Depressive episodes have the same symptoms as major depression, including:

• feelings of sadness or emptiness
• lack of energy
• fatigue
• sleep problems
• trouble concentrating
• decreased activity
• loss of interest in formerly enjoyable activities
• suicidal thoughts
• Signs of a manic phase include:
• high energy
• reduced sleep
• irritability
• racing thoughts and speech
• grandiose thinking
• increased self-esteem and confidence
• unusual, risky, and self-destructive behavior
• feeling elated, “high,” or euphoric

In severe cases, episodes can include hallucinations and delusions. Hypomania is a less severe form of mania. You can also have mixed episodes in which you have symptoms of g mania and depression.

Depressive psychosis

Some people with major depression also go through periods of losing touch with reality. This is known as​ psychosis, which can involve hallucinations and delusions. Experiencing both of these together is known clinically as major depressive disorder with psychotic features. However, some providers still refer to this phenomenon as​ depressive psychosis​ or psychotic depression.

Hallucinations are when you see, hear, smell, taste, or feel things that aren’t really there. An example of this would be hearing voices or seeing people who aren’t present. A delusion is a closely held belief that’s clearly false or doesn’t make sense. But to someone experiencing psychosis, all of these things are very real and true.

Depression with psychosis can cause physical symptoms as well, including problems sitting still or slowed physical movements.

Perinatal depression

Perinatal depression, which is clinically known as major depressive disorder with peripartum onset, occurs during pregnancy or within four weeks of childbirth. It’s often called postpartum depression. But that term only applies to depression after giving birth. Perinatal depression can occur while you’re pregnant.

Hormonal changes that happen during pregnancy and childbirth can trigger changes in the brain that lead to mood swings. The lack of sleep and physical discomfort that often accompanies pregnancy and having a newborn doesn’t help, either.

Symptoms of perinatal depression can be as severe as those of major depression and include:

• sadness
• anxiety
• anger or rage
• exhaustion
• extreme worry about the baby‘s health and safety
• difficulty caring for yourself or the new baby
• thoughts of self-harm or harming the baby

Women who lack support or have had depression before are at increased risk of developing perinatal depression, but it can happen to anyone.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of​ premenstrual syndrome (PMS). While PMS symptoms can be both physical and psychological, PMDD symptoms tend to be mostly psychological.

These psychological symptoms are more severe than those associated with PMS. For example, some women might feel more emotional in the days leading up to their period. But someone with PMDD might experience a level of depression and sadness that gets in the way of day-to-day functions.

Other possible symptoms of PMDD include:

• cramps, bloating, and breast tenderness
• headaches
• joint and muscle pain
• sadness and despair
• irritability and anger
• extreme mood swings
• food cravings or binge eating
• panic attacks or anxiety
• lack of energy
• trouble focusing
• sleep problems

Similarly to perinatal depression, PMDD is believed to be related to hormonal changes. Its symptoms often begin just after ovulation and start to ease up once you get your period.

Some women dismiss PMDD as just a bad case of PMS, but PMDD can become very severe and include thoughts of suicide.

 Seasonal depression

Seasonal depression, also called​ seasonal affective disorder​ and clinically known as major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern, is depression that’s related to certain seasons. For most people, it tends to happen during the winter months.

Symptoms often begin in the fall, as days start to get shorter, and continue through the winter. They include:

• social withdrawal
• increased need for sleep
• weight gain
• daily feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or unworthiness

Seasonal depression may get worse as the season progresses and can lead to suicidal thoughts. Once spring rolls around, symptoms tend to improve. This might be related to changes in your bodily rhythms in response to the increase in natural light.

Situational depression

Situational depression, clinically known as adjustment disorder with depressed mood, looks like major depression in many respects.

But it’s brought on by specific events or situations, such as:

• the death of a loved one
• a serious illness or other life-threatening event
• going through divorce or child custody issues
• being in emotionally or physically abusive relationships
• being unemployed or facing serious financial difficulties
• facing extensive legal troubles

Of course, it’s normal to feel sad and anxious during events like these — even to withdraw from others for a bit. But situational depression happens when these feelings start to feel out of proportion with the triggering event and interfere with your daily life.

Situational depression symptoms tend to start within three months of the initial event and can include:

• frequent crying
• sadness and hopelessness
• anxiety
• appetite changes
• difficulty sleeping
• aches and pains
• lack of energy and fatigue
• inability to concentrate
• social withdrawal

Atypical depression

Atypical depression​ refers to depression that temporarily goes away in response to positive events. Your doctor might refer to it as major depressive disorder with atypical features.

Despite its name, atypical depression isn’t unusual or rare. It also doesn’t mean that it’s more or less serious than other types of depression.

Having atypical depression can be particularly challenging because you may not always “seem” depressed to others (or yourself). But it can also happen during an episode of major depression. It can occur with persistent depression as well.

Other symptoms of atypical depression can include:

• increased appetite and weight gain
• disordered eating
• poor body image
• sleeping much more than usual
• insomnia
• heaviness in your arms or legs that lasts an hour or more a day
• feelings of rejection and sensitivity to criticism
• assorted aches and pains

How do I know which type I have?

If you think you might have any type of depression, it’s important to follow up with a doctor. All depression types discussed in this article are treatable, though it might take some time to find the right treatment for you.

If you’ve had a previous bout of depression and think it may be happening again, see your psychiatrist or other mental health professional right away.

If you’ve never had depression before, start with your primary care physician. Some symptoms of depression can be related to an underlying physical condition that should be addressed.

Try to give your doctor as much information about your symptoms as you can. If possible, mention:

• when you first noticed them
• how they’ve affected your daily life
• any other mental health conditions you have
• any information about a history of mental illness in your family
• all prescription and over-the-counter medications you take, including supplements and herbs

It might feel uncomfortable, but try to tell your doctor everything. This will help them give you a more accurate diagnosis and refer you to the right type of mental health professional

For more info visit https://www.healthline.com

THIS THING CALLED LIFE...

IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE ROAD YOU ARE WALKING DOWN PAVE A NEW ONE

'Everyday is a new beginning.'Cliche quote ..I know However let's look at it another way. If you have 365 days in a year . How many of those 365 days can you actually account for?
If every day is a new beginning why does your year look exactly as it did last year?

 If from the day you are born you are a day closer to your death. (I know it might sound pessimistic. However it is the truth.)
Unfortunately , in this thing called life . Non of us know's when we will die .The few of us lucky enough to wake up every other morning in good health often take that for granted .
We wake up get to work, or we go through the day doing the things we need to do . Some days letting some things fall to the bottom of the list (out right procrastination)

So let me ask you this if you started to view your time as precious and wouldn't want to waste a minute of it, what would you change about your life if you actually knew the exact day you will die ?
would you tolerate the things that you do? will you be better?will you do more ?will you still be the same person you are now?

I was having a conversation with my mum about life and this is what she shared with me, "the fig tree grows its fruit even before the leaves open. That is why in the parable of the fig tree in the bible. Jesus cursed the fig tree because this specific fig tree's leaves had opened and had not allowed the most important part of the tree(the fruit) to grow."

Which brings me to the question, what areas in your life have you invested so much energy however all the time you invested hasn't bore you any fruit that benefits you?
How much time have you wasted? Just because you spend a lot of time making a mistake doesn't mean you can't stop !
If you where actually told exactly when you where going to die. What would you change?
What would you improve on?
What would you get rid of?
From the answers you have given write a list of what is important. Cut off what is not important ,and stop worrying about the what ifs and start doing and being you.
Make your 365days you have work for you .

Also accept you for you.look your self in the mirror and see yourself as vulnerable as you are accept you can't be perfect and improve on what can be improved on. Where there is a will a way will always be provided....I know another cliche quote but they carry the most weight.
Stop being your own obstacle.

LOST AND LOOKING TO BE FOUND #ClinicalDepressionKenya

WHEN YOUR AN ISLAND AND ONLY YOU KNOW IT.

See my post on :when-your-own-thoughts-bring-you-down.
starting-over

suicide
/new-journeys.

Clinical depression source (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression

Begins with a frown,that ends in a smile.
And end's with a choice ,that i choose to amend.

Light as a feather. I spread my wings to fly.

Trying to loose myself . But if i do.

 I know i will loose it all.

I look nothing like what i feel. 

I miss me. The old me. The happy and free me.

I miss the real me before the black.

Before me. when im more than ok me.

They ask me are you okay? But what they really mean is are you over it yet!

What they dont know is i am a victim of my thoughts and they are louder than my will power. 

I am trapped in negativity.

Every thought is a battle every breath is a curse . I am loosing this battle and i am ok with it.

So i tell myself "Just this once" and i am back to where i was 1 gram ago.

 Light as a feather again.

Begins with a frown that ends in a smile.

This time i choose to fly.

Outside myself, I feel free . I feel happy .

I m happy. It feels like a sin to be this happy.

How can something this wrong make me feel alive again.

I still hear the thoughts. They never rest.

For now my urge to live is stronger than the urge to die.

One day i will feel this alive without my poison for i know .
If i dont control it .it will lead me straight to an early grave.

Where they will cry saying,"it wasnt her time yet."

CLINICAL DEPRESSION
N.H.I.F rescently started covering depression costs and this is testament to what is going on in our country .
A total of 1.9 million cases of depression where reported last year. Which is a 18% increase since 2005 

 A report done by World Health Organisation says close to 800000 people die annually due to suicide the second leading cause of death in 15-29 year olds.

 Depression ranges in seriousness from mild, temporary episodes of sadness to severe, persistent depression. Clinical depression is the more-severe form of depression, also known as major depression or major depressive disorder. It isn't the same as depression caused by a loss, such as the death of a loved one, or a medical condition, such as a thyroid disorder

Signs and symptoms of clinical depression may include:

• 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
• Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain
• Anxiety, agitation or restlessness
• Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame
• 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

If you need someone to talk to or know someone that needs help  email me thenairobifeminist@gmail.com
 or
 contact .befrienderskenya

POSTNATAL / POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION

SOURCES; Wikipedia, postpartum depression.com 
(See my post on motherhood part 1,dear young moms, motherhood part2, kids its bedtime, never give up, marriage/relationships is not a bed of roses, abusive relationships)

Postpartum depression (PPD), also called postnatal depression, is a type of clinical depression which can affect both sexes after childbirth. 

The difference between PPD and depression?

One difference is the timing: Depression is called PPD when it occurs during the period after childbirth. And unlike depression that's not related to pregnancy, PPD is linked to the unique hormonal changes that occur after childbirth. Researchers think that sudden changes in hormone levels after delivering a baby can trigger depression in women who are more sensitive to shifts in estrogen and progesterone.

Between 0.5% to 61% of women will experience depression after delivery.^[1] Postpartum psychosis occurs in about 1–2 per thousand women following childbirth.^[5]
Among men, in particular new fathers, the incidence of postpartum depression has been estimated to be between 1% and 25.5%.^[6] Postpartum depression is one of the leading causes of the murder of children less than one year of age . As well as suicide for newly mums

 Its mother’s day today and I would like to tribute this post to mothers who have been going through post natal/partum  depression, and to anyone who has been through it .

Becoming a mother has its highs and lows. However it is important to remember that it’s a divine gift from God to give birth to another human being and be part of the creative process that one is entrusted with. This is the responsibility that God entrusted us with and he never gives you something you can’t handle.

You are not abnormal for feeling this way you are not alone and no it doesn’t make you a bad mother. At the end of your day as a mother you just have to give the best you can. A mother is not a super hero she is human too. Do what you can when you can and hope for the best. Everybody has expectations, hopes and dreams and just because some things don’t go as planned doesn’t mean you stop trying. Just believe in the creator that entrusted you with the life you hold in your arms
...
SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS
Symptoms may include sadness, low energy, changes in sleeping and eating patterns,and reduced desire for sex, crying episodes, anxiety, and irritability. While many women experience self-limited, mild symptoms, postpartum depression should be suspected when symptoms are severe and have lasted over two weeks.
The emotional effects of postpartum depression can include sleep deprivation, anxiety about parenthood and caring for an infant, identity crisis, a feeling of loss of control over life, and anxiety due to lack of support from a romantic or sexual partner

·         You feel overwhelmed. Not like “hey, this new mom thing is hard.” More like “I can’t do this and I’m never going to be able to do this.” You feel like you just can’t handle being a mother. In fact, you may be wondering whether you should have become a mother in the first place.

• You feel guilty because you believe you should be handling new motherhood better than this. You feel like your baby deserves better. You worry whether your baby can tell that you feel so bad, or that you are crying so much, or that you don’t feel the happiness or connection that you thought you would. You may wonder whether your baby would be better off without you.
• You don’t feel bonded to your baby. You’re not having that mythical mommy bliss that you see on TV or read about in magazines. Not everyone with postpartum depression feels this way, but many do.
• You can’t understand why this is happening. You are very confused and scared.
• You feel irritated or angry. You have no patience. Everything annoys you. You feel resentment toward your baby, or your partner, or your friends who don’t have babies. You feel out-of-control rage.
• You feel nothing. Emptiness and numbness. You are just going through the motions.
• You feel sadness to the depths of your soul. You can’t stop crying, even when there’s no real reason to be crying.
• You feel hopeless, like this situation will never ever get better. You feel weak and defective, like a failure.
• You can’t bring yourself to eat, or perhaps the only thing that makes you feel better is eating.
• You can’t sleep when the baby sleeps, nor can you sleep at any other time. Or maybe you can fall asleep, but you wake up in the middle of the night and can’t go back to sleep no matter how tired you are. Or maybe all you can do is sleep and you can’t seem to stay awake to get the most basic things done. Whichever it is, your sleeping is completely screwed up and it’s not just because you have a newborn.
• You can’t concentrate. You can’t focus. You can’t think of the words you want to say. You can’t remember what you were supposed to do. You can’t make a decision. You feel like you’re in a fog.
• You feel disconnected. You feel strangely apart from everyone for some reason, like there’s an invisible wall between you and the rest of the world.
• Maybe you’re doing everything right. You are exercising. You are taking your vitamins. You have a healthy spirituality. You do yoga. You’re thinking “Why can’t I just get over this?” You feel like you should be able to snap out of it, but you can’t.
• You might be having thoughts of running away and leaving your family behind. Or you’ve thought of driving off the road, or taking too many pills, or finding some other way to end this misery.
• You know something is wrong. You may not know you have a prenatal mood or anxiety disorder, but you know the way you are feeling is NOT right. You think you’ve “gone crazy.”
• You are afraid that this is your new reality and that you’ve lost the “old you” forever.
• You are afraid that if you reach out for help people will judge you. Or that your baby will be taken away.

 POST PARTUM ANXIETY AND OCD SYMPTOMS

• Your thoughts are racing. You can’t quiet your mind. You can’t settle down. You can’t relax.
• You feel like you have to be doing something at all times. Cleaning bottles. Cleaning baby clothes. Cleaning the house. Doing work. Entertaining the baby. Checking on the baby.
• You are worried. Really worried. All. The. Time. Am I doing this right? Will my husband come home from his trip? Will the baby wake up? Is the baby eating enough? Is there something wrong with my baby that I’m missing? No matter what anyone says to reassure you, it doesn’t help.
• You may be having disturbing thoughts. Thoughts that you’ve never had before. Scary thoughts that make you wonder whether you aren’t the person you thought you were. They fly into your head unwanted and you know they aren’t right, that this isn’t the real you, but they terrify you and they won’t go away. These thoughts may start with the words “What if …”
• You are afraid to be alone with your baby because of scary thoughts or worries. You are also afraid of things in your house that could potentially cause harm, like kitchen knives or stairs, and you avoid them like the plague.
• You may feel the need to check things constantly. Did I lock the door? Did I lock the car? Did I turn off the oven? Is the baby breathing?
• You may be having physical symptoms like stomach cramps or headaches, shakiness or nausea. You might even have panic attacks.
• You feel like a captive animal, pacing back and forth in a cage. Restless. On edge.
• You can’t eat. You have no appetite.
• You’re having trouble sleeping. You are so, so tired, but you can’t sleep.
• You feel a sense of dread, like something terrible is going to happen.
• You know something is wrong. You may not know you have a prenatal mood or anxiety disorder, but you know the way you are feeling is NOT right. You think you’ve “gone crazy.”
• You are afraid that this is your new reality and that you’ve lost the “old you” forever.
• You are afraid that if you reach out for help people will judge you. Or that your baby will be taken away.
• You may also feel intensely self-conscious about your postpartum body and fear being intimate with your partner. An anxiety disorder can also affect your physical health. For example, you might experience muscle tension or have trouble sleeping.

HOW TO COPE WITH PPD
Be good to yourself Make sure your own basic needs are met: Try to sleep and eat well, and do your best not to feel guilty. Having PPD doesn't mean you're a bad mother or don't love your child. After you begin treatment, these feelings of guilt and despair should start to fade.

Don't demand too much of yourself If you have clinical depression or anxiety, it can be hard enough just to get out of bed and face the day. Be gentle with yourself, and take things one at a time.

Ask for support Part of being a good mother knows when to ask for help, so doesn’t be afraid to ask for it during this difficult time. Let your partner know about different ways to help, whether it's taking care of the baby, handling chores, or going with you to doctor appointments. Relatives or close friends may be able to help as well.

Share your feelings Keep the lines of communication open with your partner and talk about what's going on. Call a sympathetic friend. Join a mothers' group or a PPD support group, or chat with moms about postpartum depression in the BabyCenter Community. You may be surprised by how many women are experiencing similar feelings.

Pamper yourself Taking care of your physical self can sometimes help you feel better inside. Have your partner or a friend watch your baby so you can take a shower or a relaxing bath. Put on makeup if you usually wear it. Go on a shopping trip just for yourself and buy something new for your post-baby wardrobe. Wear a favorite outfit on especially difficult days to give yourself a boost.

Get some rest The rigors of caring for a newborn 24/7 can leave you exhausted. Unfortunately, moms with postpartum mood conditions often can't sleep when they want to. But it's still important to take breaks to rest, even if you just read a magazine or watch TV. Taking 10-minute naps is helpful too. Consider hiring a postpartum doula or a sitter experienced with newborns, or asking a relative or friend to watch your baby for an hour or so each day.

Note: Always put your baby on a safe sleep surface (such as his crib or bassinet) before you settle down to rest.

Venture outdoors Put your baby in a stroller and take a walk around the block, or meet a friend at a nearby café. The fresh air, sunshine, and conversation will do you and your baby a world of good. If even a brief excursion is too much for you right now, then just go outside, close your eyes and take a deep breath, or sit in the sunshine for a few minutes.

Slow down Resist the temptation to do the laundry or other chores while your baby sleeps – the housework can wait. Have food delivered, or ask your partner to pick up takeout on the way home. Resist the urge to check your email or phone, and relax with a book and a cup of chamomile tea instead. If you're on maternity leave, don't stress about all the work waiting for you at the office – you'll get back on track soon enough.

Some women are at higher risk for PPD. The strongest predictors of postpartum depression are:

• Depression or anxiety during pregnancy
• Stressful life events during pregnancy or soon after giving birth
• Traumatic childbirth experience
• Preterm delivery
• A baby needing neonatal intensive care
• Lack of social support
• Previous history of depression
• Breastfeeding problems

Other risk factors include:

• Baby blues after delivery
• Unplanned or unwanted pregnancy
• A baby with birth defects or other medical problems
• Multiple babies (such as twins or triplets)
• Family history of psychiatric problems
• Being single
• Low socioeconomic status or financial instability
• Domestic violence
• Unemployment
• Many medical appointments during pregnancy
• Pregestational or gestational diabetes

Remember that these risk factors don't actually cause PPD. Many women with multiple risk factors never experience clinical depression or anxiety, while others with just one risk factor (or even none) can end up with a diagnosis of PPD.

WAYS PPD CAN BE TREATED

The treatment for PPD is the same as the treatment for depression that happens before or during pregnancy. If you have mild symptoms, your provider may recommend watchful waiting with regular check-ins. If your symptoms are more severe, your provider may recommend talk therapy, antidepressant medication, or both.

Talk therapy, also called counseling or psychotherapy, can be one-on-one with your therapist or in a group setting with other women going through a similar experience. In family or couples therapy, a therapist works with you and your partner or relatives.

Antidepressants balance the brain chemicals that regulate your mood. Talk with your provider about the different types of antidepressants – some are combined for best results. You'll probably start to feel better after taking the medicine for three or four weeks.