What is postpartum depression and postpartum rage?

It can be hard but rewarding to carry a baby in your womb for nine months before giving birth. The happiest time in a mother’s life is when she first holds her child. But a lot of you don’t know that a lot of women go through the postpartum phase.   After giving birth, women face challenges that can hurt their emotional and mental health. Postpartum depression is classified as a depressive disorder in the DSM-5. Postpartum depression is now widely recognized as a mood disorder. Postpartum rage is another issue that doesn’t get talked about much, but it isn’t good for women’s mental health. Postpartum rage is linked to anger and hostility. This anger and hatred make people feel alone, confused, and ashamed.

In this article, we will briefly describe postpartum depression and anger. We will also discuss the consequences and treatments of it as well.

What is postpartum depression?

Many women face postpartum depression (PPD) after giving birth. Women can’t just recover from “baby blues” in a few weeks. Postpartum depression can have a duration of a few months. It gets in the way of the mother’s daily life, her relationships, and especially her ability to connect with her baby.

Diagnostic Criteria of Postpartum Depression 

We will list the signs of postpartum depression according to the DSM-5. The criteria for diagnosing postpartum depression are:

Some of the signs are feeling hopeless and depressed all the time, being irritable, angry, and violent, not being able to focus, not sleeping enough, losing interest, and pulling away from relationships. A lot of you think that sadness is the only sign of postpartum depression. Anger could be a big sign. That is why postpartum rage is so strong.

What is Postpartum Rage?

Rage is also a symptom of postpartum depression. Rage is when some women get very angry or irritable after giving birth. These feelings can come out of nowhere and be very strong. A mother with postpartum rage might yell at her partner, get angry with a family member, or just be furious with herself.

Anger can feel out of control, unlike normal irritability. Women often feel like they are “boiling over,” which can include a fast heartbeat, clenched hands, and shivering. It’s important to know that postpartum rage is not a personality trait; it is often a sign of postpartum sadness or anxiety.

Signs of Postpartum Rage

Mothers with postpartum rage may have:

1. Sudden outbursts of yelling or shouting.
2. Aggressive thoughts or urges (without wanting to hurt the baby).
3. Constant irritability makes it hard to go about their daily lives.
4. Feelings of guilt or shame after aggressive episodes.
5. Emotional distance from loved ones because they are afraid of “losing control”.

These indicators of postpartum depression and rage overlap with mood and anxiety disorders. Mental health experts underscore the importance of screening for postpartum mental health conditions.

Risk Factors for Postpartum Depression & Rage

Not all women express postpartum depression and rage. However, various risk factors increase the probability:

1. Family History:

If someone in your family has had depression, anxiety, or another mood disorder, you may be more sensitive.

2. Lack of Sleep:

Lack of sleep after giving birth could make you angry and unstable emotionally.

3. Hormonal Changes:

There is a sudden drop in hormones like estrogen and progesterone—this sudden drop affects mood control.

4. Daily Life Stress:

Financial issues and conflicts with other people can all cause emotional stress.

5. Health history:

Women with a history of mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, are more likely to be at risk. 

How does Postpartum depression and rage affect everyday life?

A mother’s daily routine can be very hard to follow when she is angry after giving birth. A lot of women say they have problems getting along with their partner or family, bonding with their new baby, and feeling guilty after getting angry. Some mums may avoid social events because they are afraid of being judged.

The stigma surrounding rage worsens the challenges women face. Recognizing and diagnosing signs and symptoms of postpartum rage as an aspect of a broader mental health condition rather than an individual deficiency.

Why do people often not notice postpartum depression and rage?

One reason why postpartum depression and aggression are not often recognized is that medical professionals usually see sadness or hopelessness as signs of depression. Many women are not adequately evaluated for postpartum anger, leading to underdiagnosis. Women may continue to suffer in silence if they don’t get an official diagnosis.

How to Diagnose?

When women face symptoms like those mentioned above after giving birth, they visit mental health professionals. Mental health professionals use tools like “the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale” to check symptoms. A doctor’s diagnosis could be postpartum depression, anxiety, or another mood disorder. Mental health professionals will also look at your medical history, family history, and lifestyle factors like not getting enough sleep. It is important to talk about anger honestly, even if it makes you uncomfortable.

How to Treat it?

There are some ways to treat postpartum depression and rage used by mental health professionals.

1. Therapies.

Some mental health professionals use therapies to treat postpartum depression and rage. These therapies include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This is the most effective treatment for coping with daily life stressors. CBT helps women to recognize negative thoughts, find the motive of these thoughts, and then rephrase these negative thoughts into positive thoughts.

1. Medication.

Sometimes women have severe depression symptoms. To treat severe symptoms, mental health professionals use antidepressants to help.

2. Support Group.

Humans are social animals. Social support is very important for better mental health. Support groups like family, peers, and friends play a crucial role. With social support, women can help to cope with depression, loneliness, and sadness.

3. Lifestyle.

Changes to your lifestyle can also help to deal with depression. Putting relaxation first, asking family members for help, and cutting back on daily stressors can help ease emotional strain.

Mothers who are going through postpartum rage need a lot of help from their community.   Women are more likely to meet other women who have been through similar things when they join support groups. Hearing that other mothers feel angry makes the subject less embarrassing and more normal.

  Family members are also very important. A partner or family member can help by taking care of the person, encouraging them to get professional help, and being there for them emotionally.