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The early weeks of the baby's birth should be a happy time for the parents. Unfortunately, this is not felt by all mothers, even some of them have postpartum depression.
Generally, the symptoms are anxiety and sadness which makes mothers reluctant to take care of their babies. However, not many people know that symptoms can also be shown through the often-mentioned emotional outbursts postpartum rage.
What is that postpartum rage ?
Indeed, both have almost the same symptoms. Mother who experienced baby blues usually have symptoms such as mood swings, crying, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping.
The difference, if baby blues only lasting one to two weeks, postpartum depression occurs more than that time and can even take months or years especially if left untreated.
Apart from the symptoms already mentioned, anger is also one of them. Various negative emotions that are felt during depression are certainly more intense, so that the symptoms of anger that are shown are different from what is usually experienced by mothers because of pregnancy hormones. This symptom is often called postpartum rage.
Mother who is experiencing postpartum rage can provoke emotions from small things. Often times, this symptom strikes when a baby who has been put to sleep suddenly wakes up again in the middle of the night, as a form of frustration from the mother, whose sleep time is reduced.
Not always related to babies, trivial problems such as a husband forgetting to turn off the bathroom light, washing dishes that have piled up in the kitchen, or getting stuck in traffic on the way home are also often triggers for anger.
At times, this emotion is followed by disturbing thoughts such as hurting the baby or people around him to vent anger.
Three conditions related to feelings of helplessness include economic hardship, conflict in husband and wife relationships, and feelings of being trapped in unwanted situations.
Raising a child costs money. Financial problems make it difficult for the baby's needs to be fulfilled. When the support from a partner is not enough, coupled with the lack of education and work skills possessed by the mother, it is this feeling of increasingly despair that ultimately drives anger.
Next is conflict with a partner. Domestic violence or the lack of a partner's contribution in providing emotional, nurturing and financial support are things that trigger helplessness.
Depression is also prone to experienced by mothers whose pregnancies are not expected. Usually this happens to young mothers when their partners do not want to be responsible. So, this pregnancy put him in a difficult situation that had never been predicted before.
Apart from the factor of helplessness, postpartum rage also can happen because the reality of being a mother is not in accordance with expectations.
The mother feels that she has failed to reach the idealized standard of motherhood, for example when the mother is unable to breastfeed her baby. This reason often occurs in mothers who have just had their first child.
Several other things include differences in parenting styles with in-laws, partners who cannot meet the needs of the mother, and stressful events such as the loss of a loved one are also contributing factors to the anger felt by the mother when experiencing depression.
Seek professional help immediately
Most mothers are reluctant to seek help out of fear of being labeled a bad mother. Moreover, the image of a mother who is synonymous with a warm and loving figure makes many people consider anger to be an emotion that should not be done.
In fact, this is not something to be embarrassed about or even a disgrace. There are times when the mother feels a lot of worry and fear about not being able to take care of the baby properly. The longer it is allowed to be left, this condition will actually have a negative impact on the mother's own health.
Therefore, if you experience it, do not hesitate to immediately seek help from others. You can go to a licensed psychologist or mental health professional.
Because postpartum rage closely related to postpartum depression , the approach taken will be similar. Later, you are asked to tell about other symptoms that have interfered with your activities.
This can be done through psychotherapy or talk therapy. You and your therapist will work together to create strategies that will be used to help control emotions. The doctor may also give drugs such as antidepressants if necessary.
Tell your partner and family about the condition that is being felt. Indeed, fear of being viewed negatively is normal. However, support from those around you is also needed for your recovery.
During the process, leave your child with parents, friends, or trusted people. This needs to be done so that you can get more time to rest. Also do a variety of other companion activities such as light exercise and meditation.
Remember that you are not the only one experiencing this. Convince yourself that everything will turn out well if you are accompanied by the effort and support to get through it.
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