What are the causes and symptoms of prenatal depression? How to self-diagnose prenatal depression symptoms?

After many women become pregnant, they find it difficult to accept the physiological and psychological changes. Coupled with the lack of timely counseling by their families, they are prone to prenatal depression. In severe cases, they may even harm themselves. So, what are the corresponding symptoms for this situation?

What is antenatal depression

Prenatal depression is a psychological disorder during pregnancy that has received increasing attention in recent years. It refers to the various negative emotions that occur when pregnant women have some unconventional and excessive expectations of their husbands and families that are not met, or are affected by frustration, work pressure, and concerns about the health of the fetus. According to surveys, 98% of pregnant women will experience anxiety in the late stages of pregnancy. Some people are good at regulating their emotions, which can reduce their anxiety, while some people are not good at regulating, and their psychological anxiety becomes more and more serious.

Causes of Antenatal Depression

Hormonal changes

After having a baby, the amount of hormones in a woman's body will change, such as the amount of neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters can interfere with the brain's emotional regulation. Once changes occur, pregnant women are more likely to feel anxious and depressed, but the symptoms will improve after giving birth.

Other factors

If a pregnant woman has suffered from depression in the past or has a family history of depression, she is more likely to suffer from antenatal depression. In addition, if the relationship with her family, especially her husband, is not harmonious, the chances of suffering from antenatal and postnatal depression are also high.

Symptoms of Antenatal Depression

There are three main symptoms of depression: unhappiness, poor memory, and inactivity. These three symptoms are also the criteria for judging whether a pregnant woman suffers from prenatal depression.

Many people are familiar with depression, but depression is fundamentally different from general "unhappiness". It has obvious characteristics, and there are three main symptoms in total, namely low mood, slow thinking and motor inhibition.

1. Feeling depressed (unhappy)

Being depressed means you can't be happy, you are always sad, and even pessimistic and desperate.

2. Slow thinking (no memory)

Slow thinking means that the patient feels that the brain is not working well, cannot remember things, and has difficulty thinking. The patient feels that the brain is empty and has become stupid.

3. Motor inhibition (not moving)

Motor inhibition means being lazy, walking slowly, talking less, etc. In severe cases, the patient may not eat or move, and cannot take care of himself.