Types of mental illness

People can experience different types of mental illnesses or disorders, and they can
often occur at the same time. Mental illnesses can occur over a short period of time or
be episodic. This means that mental illness comes and goes with discrete beginnings
and ends. Mental illness can also be ongoing or long-lasting.

There are more than 200 types of mental illness. Some of the main types of mental
illness and disorders are
● Emotional Health
● Depression, Teen
● Suicide
● Teen Depression
● Teen Development
● Teen Mental Health

What Is Postpartum Depression?

● is a complex mix of physical, emotional, and behavioral changes that happen in

some women after giving birth.
● begins within 4 weeks after delivery.
● PPD can be treated with medication and counseling.
● About 1 out of every 10 of these women will develop a more severe and longer-
lasting depression after delivery. About 1 in 1,000 women develop a more
serious condition called postpartum psychosis. About 1 in 10 new fathers get
depression during the year their child is born.

Postpartum Depression Signs and Symptoms

● Trouble sleeping
● Appetite changes
● Severe fatigue
● Lower libido
● Frequent mood changes

Postpartum Depression Causes and Risk Factors

If you have PPD, it’s not because you did anything wrong. Experts think it happens for
many reasons, and those can be different for different people. Some things that can
raise the chances of postpartum depression include:

● A history of depression prior to becoming pregnant, or during pregnancy

 ● Age at the time of pregnancy (the younger you are, the higher the chances)
● Ambivalence about the pregnancy
● Children (the more you have, the more likely you are to be depressed in a later
pregnancy)
● Family history of mood disorders
● Going through an extremely stressful event, like a job loss or health crisis
● Having a child with special needs or health problems
● Having twins or triplets
● Having a history of depression or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
● Limited social support
● Living alone
● Marital conflict

There’s no one cause of postpartum depression, but these physical and emotional
issues may contribute:

● Hormones. The dramatic drop in estrogen and progesterone after you give birth
may play a role. Other hormones produced by your thyroid gland also may drop
sharply and make you feel tired, sluggish, and depressed.
● Lack of sleep. When you're sleep-deprived and overwhelmed, you may have
trouble handling even minor problems.
● Anxiety. You may be anxious about your ability to care for a newborn.
● Self-image. You may feel less attractive, struggle with your sense of identity, or
feel that you've lost control over your life. Any of these issues can contribute to
postpartum depression.

Types of Postpartum Depression

There are three terms used to describe the mood changes women can have after giving
birth:
 1. The "baby blues" happen to as many as 70% of women in the days right after
childbirth. You may have sudden mood swings, such as feeling very happy and
then feeling very sad. You may cry for no reason and can feel impatient, cranky,
restless, anxious, lonely, and sad. The baby blues may last only a few hours or
as long as 1 to 2 weeks after delivery. Usually, you don’t need treatment from a
healthcare provider for baby blues. Often, joining a support group of new moms
or talking with other moms helps.

2. Postpartum depression (PPD) can happen a few days or even months after
childbirth. PPD can happen after the birth of any child, not just the first child. You
can have feelings similar to the baby blues -- sadness, despair, anxiety,
crankiness -- but you feel them much more strongly. PPD often keeps you from
doing the things you need to do every day. When your ability to function is
affected, you need to see a healthcare provider, such as your OB/GYN or
primary care doctor. This doctor can screen you for depression symptoms and
come up with a treatment plan. If you don’t get treatment for PPD, symptoms can
get worse. While PPD is a serious condition, it can be treated with medication
and counseling.

3. Postpartum psychosis is a very serious mental illness that can affect new
mothers. This illness can happen quickly, often within the first 3 months after
childbirth. Women can lose touch with reality, having auditory hallucinations
(hearing things that aren't actually happening, like a person talking) and
delusions (strongly believing things that are clearly irrational). Visual
hallucinations (seeing things that aren't there) are less common. Other symptoms
include insomnia (not being able to sleep), feeling agitated and angry, pacing,
restlessness, and strange feelings and behaviors. Women who have postpartum
psychosis need treatment right away and almost always need medication.
Sometimes women are put into the hospital because they are at risk of hurting
themselves or someone else.

Postpartum Depression Treatment

Postpartum depression is treated differently, depending on the type of symptoms and

how severe they are. Treatment options include
 ● Anti-anxiety
● antidepressant medications
● psychotherapy
● Participation in a support group for emotional support and education.
● For severe cases, an IV of a new medication called Brexanolone (Zulresso) may
be prescribed.
● In the case of postpartum psychosis, drugs used to treat psychosis are usually
added. Hospital admission is also often necessary.
● If you are breastfeeding, don't assume that you can't take medication for
depression, anxiety, or even psychosis. Talk to your doctor. Under a doctor's
supervision, many women take medication while breastfeeding. This is a decision
to be made between you and your doctor.

Postpartum Depression Complications

Postpartum depression that isn’t treated can weaken your ability to bond with your baby,
and affect the whole family:

1. You. Postpartum depression that’s not treated can last for months or longer,
even turning into a chronic depressive disorder. Even with treatment, postpartum
depression can make you more likely to have episodes of depression in the
future.
2. The baby’s father. When a new mother has depression, the father may be more
likely to have depression too.
3. Children. Children of mothers with postpartum depression are more likely to
have problems with sleeping and eating, crying more than usual, and delays in
language development.

Postpartum Depression Prevention

If you have a history of depression, tell your doctor as soon as you find out you’re
pregnant, or if you’re planning to become pregnant.

During pregnancy. Your doctor can monitor you for symptoms. You can manage mild
depression symptoms with support groups, counseling, or other therapies. Your doctor
may prescribe medications, even while you’re pregnant.
After your baby is born. Your doctor may recommend an early postpartum checkup to
look for symptoms of depression. The earlier you’re diagnosed, the earlier you can
begin treatment. If you have a history of postpartum depression, your doctor may
recommend treatment as soon as you have the baby.

Here are some tips that can help you cope with bringing home a newborn:

1. Ask for help. Let others know how they can help you.
2. Be realistic about your expectations for yourself and your baby.
3. Exercise, within the limits of any restrictions your doctor may place on your level
of activity; take a walk, and get out of the house for a break.
4. Expect some good days and some bad days.
5. Follow a sensible diet; avoid alcohol and caffeine.
6. Foster the relationship with your partner -- make time for each other.
7. Keep in touch with family and friends -- don’t isolate yourself.
8. Limit visitors when you first go home.
9. Screen phone calls.
10. Sleep or rest when your baby sleeps.