What do the signs and symptoms of PP-PTSD look like in new mothers?
What do the signs and symptoms of PP-PTSD look like in new mothers? This video dives into that question and explains what new mothers might experience in the first year after having a traumatic birth.
I would highly recommend that mothers and healthcare workers seek out information here. Read information from this article below:
"To be diagnosed with PTSD, an adult must have all of the following for at least 1 month:
- At least one re-experiencing symptom
- At least one avoidance symptom
- At least two arousal and reactivity symptoms
- At least two cognition and mood symptoms
Re-experiencing symptoms
- Flashbacks—reliving the traumatic event, including physical symptoms such as a racing heart or sweating
- Reoccurring memories or dreams related to the event
- Distressing thoughts
- Physical signs of stress
Thoughts and feelings can trigger these symptoms, as can words, objects, or situations that are reminders of the event.
Avoidance symptoms
- Staying away from places, events, or objects that are reminders of the experience
- Avoiding thoughts or feelings related to the traumatic event
Avoidance symptoms may cause people to change their routines. For example, after a serious car accident, a person may avoid driving or riding in a car.
Arousal and reactivity symptoms
- Being easily startled
- Feeling tense, on guard, or “on edge”
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- Feeling irritable and having angry or aggressive outbursts
- Engaging in risky, reckless, or destructive behavior
Arousal symptoms are often present—they can lead to feelings of stress and anger and may interfere with parts of daily life, such as sleeping, eating, or concentrating.
Cognition and mood symptoms
- Trouble remembering key features of the traumatic event
- Negative thoughts about oneself or the world
- Distorted thoughts about the event that cause feelings of blame
- Ongoing negative emotions, such as fear, anger, guilt, or shame
- Loss of interest in previous activities
- Feelings of social isolation
- Difficulty feeling positive emotions, such as happiness or satisfaction
Cognition and mood symptoms can begin or worsen after the traumatic event and can lead a person to feel detached from friends or family members."
Remember, a diagnosis of PTSD should always be made by a healthcare provider. Please seek out assistance if you suspect you or a loved one might be experiencing PP-PTSD.
If you find yourself experiencing feelings of stress or decreased mood, please seek the care of a healthcare provider. If you are experiencing feelings of self-harm, please seek the care of a healthcare provider immediately. In addition to this care, resources are available to assist you. Please click on the following links for additional information: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Chat https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org... Suicide Prevention Resource Center https://www.sprc.org/ Nevada DPBH Office of Suicide Prevention http://suicideprevention.nv.gov/ PTSD: National Center for PTSD https://www.ptsd.va.gov/ PTSD Alliance http://www.ptsdalliance.org/ Postpartum Support International https://www.postpartum.net/locations/...
