Prevent postpartum depression | How can you prevent depression?

Prevent postpartum depression

Preventing depression is difficult with most forms of depression, as the person affected cannot influence all the factors that lead to the development of depression. It is also difficult to predict which woman will develop postpartum depression. There is not THE preventive measure against postpartum depression.

There are only things that can reduce the likelihood of its occurrence to a certain extent. These include, but are not limited to, a secure family and social support during and after childbirth. It is also important to be able to talk regularly and to be able to discuss negative feelings with someone without feeling ashamed.

Measures such as sufficient sleep (social support so that the child is provided for during this time! ), regular physical exercise in the fresh air and a balanced healthy diet can also be helpful. All these measures cannot, however, ultimately prevent the development of postpartum depression. It is therefore important to consult your gynaecologist or psychiatrist at the first signs of postpartum depression to discuss possible further treatment strategies.

Are there any medications for the prevention of depression?

There is no specific medication that can prevent the development of depression. Many people like to use St. John’s wort when their mood is slightly depressed. This herbal preparation is said to have a slightly mood-lifting effect.

However, it cannot completely prevent the onset of depression. Recent studies have also shown that the level of vitamin D in the blood plays a significant role in the development and treatment of depression. According to the studies, many depressed patients have low vitamin D levels.

In addition, patients whose vitamin D levels have been adequately raised should respond better to antidepressant drug therapy. Substituting vitamin D with appropriate medication could therefore be used as a kind of preventive measure to prevent depression in some people. However, it is not yet clear which people benefit most from this.

There are also no adequate recommendations for taking vitamin D as part of effective depression prophylaxis, as there is a lack of meaningful studies. However, after consulting the family doctor, there is nothing to prevent a determination of the vitamin D level and, if necessary, a substitution attempt. Substitution therapy can be a useful attempt, especially for patients with a family history of depression or a history of depressive episodes. Unfortunately, there is no simple drug prophylaxis for depression.

Prevent a relapse

A quarter of all patients suffering from depression experience a further depressive phase in the course of their lives. This can also happen after successful therapy and long breaks. The prevention of such relapses is an important part of the treatment and content of many behaviours that are learned during therapy.

Thus, the therapy should be carried out to its full extent, both in terms of medication and behaviour therapy. Premature discontinuation because initial progress is noticed can lead to a worsening of the overall situation. Even after the end of treatment, learned behavioural patterns should be retained.

These are problem-solving strategies or stress management options in order not to fall back into the same pattern as when the depression started. The mental balance in people who have already experienced depression is far from being as stable as in healthy, balanced people. Therefore, one should be considerate of one’s own mind by trying to avoid overstraining situations at work or in everyday life and, in the worst case, to pull the emergency brake.

If there is a need to return to a job, the number of hours should be increased gradually. Attention must also be paid to the responsibility that weighs on various tasks at work. As already described, a healthy lifestyle with lots of sport promotes well-being and a solid social network also provides support for sick or healthy people.

However, if too much contact with people is felt to be a burden, this should not be forced, because a certain stress situation can also arise in this way. The content of many therapy strategies for developing protective behaviour is the drafting of an emergency plan. This involves writing down individual signs on a piece of paper that indicate a developing depression or an acute mental state.

In addition, the note contains references to the subsequently recommended actions and remedies that have led to the alleviation of symptoms in the past. Telephone numbers of people who can be contacted and with whom the problem can be discussed should also be available – be it from a psychotherapist, doctor or other person of trust.