It is important for Latinas to know that postpartum depression is a common medical condition that has nothing to do with being weak or not being a good mother. It is a treatable disorder and there are many treatment options available. If you feel sad, overwhelmed or disconnected from your baby for a long time after delivery, it’s important to seek help. Here we tell you what is postpartum depression and how long does it last.
Postpartum depression is an emotional disorder that affects 1 in 7 women after giving birth. It not only affects your mental health, but also your physical health and your ability to care for your child. For Latina women, addressing postpartum depression can be especially difficult because they face cultural and language barriers in the United States.
How long does postpartum depression last?
Without professional help, postpartum depression can last for months or even years. However, there are effective treatments that can help women control their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
The Office of Women’s Health advises women who have recently given birth to seek help for postpartum depression if they experience persistent feelings of emptiness, sadness, or apathy for more than 2 weeks.
Researchers behind a review of studies that looked at the risk factors that make some women more prone to how long postpartum depression lasts than others found that symptoms of depression often subside over time. .
However, the results also suggested that 38% of women with postpartum depression experienced chronic symptoms and ongoing depression.
About 50% of women who received medical care for depression continued to experience symptoms more than 1 year after delivery.
Of those with postpartum depression who were not receiving clinical treatment, 30% still had symptoms of depression up to 3 years after delivery.
Resource: Get Help for Postpartum Depression
In these links you will find useful information and how to ask for help:
Understanding postpartum depression
Latinas often face unique challenges in their motherhood experience, including the pressures of having children, the role of family in raising children, and the cultural expectation of being “tough” and the emotional challenges of resisting. These challenges can make it difficult for Latinas to seek help and increase the duration of postpartum depression.
In addition, language barriers can make it difficult to access the information and resources needed to treat postpartum depression. Many Latinos may not be comfortable talking about their feelings in English, which can make communicating with health care providers and support groups difficult.
There are many ways Latina women can get help for postpartum depression. They can talk with their healthcare provider about their symptoms and get a referral to a therapist or psychiatrist. They can also look for support groups online or in person to connect with other moms going through the same thing.
Symptoms of postpartum depression
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the following symptoms, it is important to seek immediate medical attention and support. Symptoms, although they may seem minor, can affect both mother and baby:
- depressed mood
- difficulty bonding with your child
- Change in eating habits (weight loss or gain)
- sleep problems (insomnia or excessive sleepiness)
- lack of energy and fatigue
- loss of interest in pleasurable activities
- irritability and anger
- feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness
- difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- anxiety and panic attacks
- thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby
- recurring thoughts of death or suicide
When should you see a doctor?
If you feel sad after the birth of your baby, you may resist admitting it, feel ashamed, or believe that these feelings will soon pass. However, if you have any symptoms of baby blues or depression, call your primary health care provider, OB/GYN, and make an appointment. If you have symptoms that indicate you may have postpartum psychosis, get help right away.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, consider these options:
- seek immediate help from a health care provider or mental health professional
- Call the US Suicide and Crisis Prevention Line at 1-888-628-9454 or dial 988. You can also use Lifeline Chat.
- Talk to a close friend or loved one.
- Contact a spiritual leader or someone in your religious community.
