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Depression has become a culprit in teenage life. It has become one of the worst teen problems nowadays. It might not be that obvious like drug abuse and pregnancy, but it destroys your teen kids in silence. Some teenagers are good at hiding problems. Most parents don’t notice it. Some of parents even deny or refuse to believe that their kids are having depression.

Depressed teenagers can be over-achievers, cheerful and active. As parents, you won’t even suspect that they are having such depressing moments. Conversation is a way to ask your kids about it. However, teenagers usually refuse to talk with their parents. They always find if uncomfortable and in a way “invasion of privacy,” or however kids put it. Sometimes teenagers have no choice but to hide their problems away, simply because their parents don’t have enough time for them. Or, kids are afraid to worry their parents. Whatever reasons they have, you still have to talk to them.

However, if you think your kids have such kind of problem and it’s but too late to establish that parent-child talk, you might as well send them to teen boot camps. These facilities can help your teenage children confront their personal issues. Discipline, respect and responsibility are some of the values that teen boot camps provide your depressed teenagers. When they come out from camps, they don’t just honor your authority as parents, but they will become more open about their lives. That conversation you long for quiet awhile now is not impossible anymore.

Being pregnant can be one of the most happiest moments in life that a woman could ever have. It is a time for new beginnings, a time of change, a season of growth for her and the entire family. Pregnancy and the sweet anticipation of having a baby can really help improve the family’s relationship. The wait for the arrival of the new baby puts the entire family in a good mood of expectation. In the process, the family members feel closer to one another.

During this trying stage of a woman, she constantly feels and experiences different thoughts and feelings about her pregnancy and her baby. Sometimes, she can feel good and bright about life. On some days, she can be so depressed and irritable. This sudden shift of feelings can be considered normal for other women, but it can be disturbing not only on the part of the new mother but also to the rest of the family if these episodes of sadness go on for long periods of time.

After giving birth, a woman can experience a thousand thoughts about the baby, whether good or bad. This is what others call the “baby blues” — a point in a woman’s life, usually right after childbirth, when she feels heightened emotions concerning their baby. This state can be felt by the woman three to five days after delivery and can last for up to two more weeks, or perhaps even longer. At this point, the woman experiencing “baby blues” may cry more easily than usual, may have trouble falling asleep or can feel irritable, or she can be so sad and always “on the edge” emotionally. Since “baby blues” are experienced is very common and is almost always expected of every first-time mother, it is generally not considered to be an illness. In most cases, the depression does not interfere with the woman’s ability to care for her baby.

However, some women may experience these heightened state of emotions by having postpartum depression, a type of depression that also occurs after childbirth. Also called postpartum non-psychotic depression, this condition affects about ten to twenty percent of women, mostly within a few months of delivery. If a woman is experiencing postpartum depression, she may exhibit any of the following symptoms:
l depressed mood
l easily provoked to tears
l have trouble falling asleep
l poor appetite
l failure to enjoy pleasurable activities
l feelings of inadequacy as a parent
l impaired concentration
l suicidal thoughts.

These symptoms can be seen in a woman if she acts differently towards herself and her baby as well. Having this type of depression includes risk factors such as previous major depression, psychosocial stress, previous premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and inadequate social support.

If a woman has postpartum depression, they may worry a lot when it comes to their baby, particularly regarding the baby’s health and well-being. On very rare cases, women with this form of severe depression may harbor negative and harmful thoughts about their baby. This type of depression can interfere with the woman’s ability to take care of the baby, and it can even come to a point where suicidal thoughts occur.

A big part of preventive care for postpartum depression entails becoming fully informed about the risk factors and effects of pregnancy and childbirth. Regular consultation with the obstetrician-gynecologist would also allow the new mother to get information about the numerous physical, chemical or hormonal changes that will come as a result of pregnancy and childbirth.

Doctors will always play a key role in identifying and treating this type of depression. Women should be screened by their physician to determine if they are at risk for acquiring postpartum depression, since this can give them a chance to prepare themselves for their childbirth at the physical, emotional, and mental levels.

Having a baby can be very challenging for every woman, both physically and emotionally. The birth of a baby can trigger a mix of powerful emotions, from excitement and joy to fear and anxiety. It is natural for many new mothers to have mood swings after delivery, feelings of joy one minute, and moments of sadness the next. But it can also result in something one might not expect like the onset of depression. These feelings are sometimes known as the “baby blues” depression that normally fades away within 10 days of delivery. However, some women may experience a deep and ongoing depression which lasts much longer. This is called postpartum depression.

The earliest medical records about postpartum depression dates back to as far as the 4th Century BC. However, despite the early awareness about this form of depression, the postpartum sadness has not always been formally recognized as an illness. As a result, it continues to be under-diagnosed. There is no single cause for depression after childbirth. Physical, emotional, and lifestyle factors may all play a role. Unlike the ‘baby blues”, postpartum depression does not go away quickly. Very rarely, new moms develop something even more serious. They may stop eating, have trouble sleeping or develop insomnia, and become frantic or paranoid.

Postpartum depression affects 10-28% of new mothers. It can begin days, weeks, or months after delivery. Studies show that depressed mothers are less involved with their infant. They are also shows signs of inconsistentcy in terms of how they respond to their infant. They can be loving and attentive one minute, and withdrawn the next. In addition to the signs mentioned, some other symptoms of postpartum depression may include:

Exhaustion

Excessive sleeping but still feeling exhausted

Loss of sexual interest

Crying spells without obvious cause

Feelings of guilt

Sadness

Anger

Feelings of despair and/or worthlessness

Forgetfulness

Difficulty making decisions

Poor concentration

Treatment for postpartum depression can be as varied as the symptoms. Some of the more common approaches to therapy or treatment include:

Creating a supportive environment for the mother;

Self-Care;

Joining a support groups;

Counseling;

Psychotherapy; and

Medication

More often, postpartum depression is not recognized or adequately treated because some normal post-pregnancy changes which cause similar symptoms in new mothers. Moreover, some women do not tell anyone about their symptoms because they feel embarrassed, ashamed, or guilty about being depressed about their pregnancy and childbirth when the normal response would be that of elation or happiness.

Early detection and treatment of postpartum depression is critical not only for the mother but for the infant as well. It can also help if the father or another caregiver can assist in meeting the needs of the baby while the mom is depressed or is still recovering from depression. The less exposure the infant has to the mother’s depression, the lower the risk of long-term problems in the child.

Research shows that infants of depressed mothers are at increased risk of behavioral problems, emotional difficulties, and delays in growth and language development. If the mother’s depression is not treated promptly, the baby can be greatly affected. Women with postpartum depression may feel like they are bad or inefficient mothers and might become increasingly reluctant to seek professional help. It is crucial to remember that hope and treatment are available to them. With a combination of proper medication and therapy, a woman can overcome postpartum depression and regain the ability to love and care for her newborn child.