After giving birth, many women not only face physical changes but also experience major emotional and psychological changes.
The latest information from the Institute of Mental Health (Bach Mai Hospital) shows that about 10-15% of women suffer from postpartum depression, while some studies in Vietnam record a fluctuating rate of 8-16%. After giving birth to her first child, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha (32 years old, Hanoi) once thought that feeling sad and exhausted was only temporary. But later on, she became more sensitive, easily burst into tears and always felt like she failed in her role as a mother.
“I almost can't sleep every night. As soon as my child cries, I panic, I can't call my husband and no one helps. There are nights when I hug my child and cry because I feel helpless, not knowing how to take care of my child properly” - Ms. Ha sadly shared.
According to Dr. Tran Thi Hong Thu - Hong Thu Counseling and Psychological Therapy Office, after giving birth, most women experience a period of fatigue, easily emotional or more sensitive than normal due to hormonal changes, lack of sleep and pressure to take care of children. This is a fairly common reaction and usually improves after a few days to about 2 weeks.
However, postpartum depression is a real, prolonged and much more serious mental illness.
Many people think that postpartum depression is only caused by hormones, but in fact this is the result of the interaction between biology, psychology and living environment," Dr. Tran Thi Hong Thu emphasized.
Doctor Tran Thi Hong Thu shared that after giving birth, a sudden decrease in estrogen and progesterone can strongly affect the brain and emotions. But what makes a woman "fall" is often not only hormones but also stemming from prolonged pressures beforehand.
We have encountered many cases with a history of anxiety, depression, having experienced psychological trauma, lacking love from a young age or living in a stressful marriage environment" - Dr. Tran Thi Hong Thu said.
Women who tend to be perfectionist, always want to become "perfect mothers", are difficult to share emotions or often blame themselves are also at higher risk.
If not treated, the mother may fall into a state of prolonged mental exhaustion, lose the ability to take care of herself, reduce working function and seriously affect family relationships. Many cases develop into severe depression, anxiety disorders, panic, phobia or even postpartum psychosis. This is a group of pathologies that are at risk of suicide and are dangerous for both mother and child if not detected in time" - Dr. Tran Thi Hong Thu emphasized.
