Associated symptoms
Typical symptoms of pregnancy depression can be
- Somatic (physical) sleep disturbance Loss of appetite Gastrointestinal complaints
- Sleep disorder
- Loss of appetite
- Gastrointestinal complaints
- Psychic obsessive thoughts anxiety confusion excessive demands self-reproach
- Obsessive thoughts
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Overload
- Self-reproaches
- Sleep disorder
- Loss of appetite
- Gastrointestinal complaints
- Obsessive thoughts
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Overload
- Self-reproaches
Numerous symptoms can give indications of the presence of depression during pregnancy. Negative thoughts, low spirits, continuous sad mood, lack of drive, concentration problems, anxiety and sleep disorders can occur. Indicators of postpartum depression can include lack of energy, sad mood, disinterest and apathy, ambivalent feelings towards the child, lack of joy and lack of drive.
Symptoms such as sexual dysfunction, lack of concentration, irritability, dizziness and anxiety can also occur. Suicidal thoughts can also play a role. They may also involve the newborn child (thoughts of extended suicide).
Therefore, there is an urgent need for treatment, the treating family doctor or gynecologist should be consulted very soon. Most depressing for the mother are the indifferent feelings towards her child.The powerlessness over unhappiness and listlessness have a frightening effect on the mother. Forced thoughts of doing something to oneself and the child are an additional burden for the mother. She reacts to this with feelings of guilt and self-reproach for being a bad mother, which deepens her feeling of insufficiency and incapacity.
Diagnosis
Depression is still a taboo subject. Especially when PPD (pregnancy depression) is not in line with the social idea of a happy, caring mother. This is one reason why the diagnosis of PPD is difficult and usually occurs too late.
The mother avoids any attempt to communicate her feelings and fears to anyone. The step to openness about the true, depressive state of mind is accompanied by feelings of shame and a stigmatization of being mentally ill. The gynecologist can use the first check-up after 6 weeks at the latest to assess the emotional situation of the patient with the help of a screening procedure according to EPDS (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale).
The EPDS contains 10 questions relating to the patient’s emotional state. If the patient reaches more than 9.5 points (threshold value) in the evaluation, there is a high probability of suffering from pregnancy depression. The better the patient’s compliance (cooperation) with the doctor, the more meaningful (valid) the screening procedure is. This can best be achieved with patient-centered treatment.