Women's Mental Health Series: MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN POST-PARTUM PERIOD
The arrival of a newborn is often a source of great joy for both the mother and the family members. However, it also means a lot of adjustment and adaptation to a new and challenging situation, especially for new mothers. Physiological, hormonal and biological changes can increase a woman’s vulnerabilities for mental health issues. The awareness around postpartum disorders is gradually improving and many women are opening up about their struggles, still there are many who have to suffer in silence due to several reasons. We must understand that silence is never the answer of any mental health disorder and when neglected, they can impact both mother and the baby, even beyond the post-partum period. There are several types of mental health disorders in the post-partum period: 1. Postpartum blues: These are also known as “Baby blues” and are very common, often reported in upto 85% of women. The symptoms are crying spells, irritability, confusion and agitation...