According to the American Psychological Association (APA), it is estimated that 9-16% of birth mothers display some form of postpartum depression (PPD). While the symptoms of this enigmatic condition differ for everyone, they often include anxiety, irritability, mood swings and trouble sleeping. Sometimes the symptoms are short-lived, but sadly, they sometimes linger and make the early days of motherhood seem impossible.
According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), there is no one cause of postpartum depression. There are a variety of factors, such as hormonal changes and sleep deprivation, that can trigger this disorder. Because it’s a mood disorder and the symptoms are so varied, it can be confounding to women affected by it as well as their loved ones. It can also create a lot of myth and misunderstanding when it comes to getting one’s head around how to manage it. For that reason, we’ve debunked 12 myths about postpartum depression to help clear things up. Hopefully this information can help you or someone in your life who is up against this challenging mental state.
1. Myth • If you have PPD after one pregnancy, you will have it with all.
Just as every pregnancy and every child is different, how you feel after the birth will be different, too. You can suffer PPD with all of your children or none of them. There’s no crystal ball for this one.
Read Related: Tips to Lose Weight After Pregnancy
