Hyderabad: Postpartum depression is often seen as a temporary stage of emotional turmoil after childbirth, but for some women it can fall into severe mental illness, resulting in tragic consequences, including self-harm and even criminal behavior. Experts are now calling for awareness and early intervention to address this critical mental health problem.
Senior consultant Dr. S. Shantha Kumari of Obgyn explains that hormone changes after childbirth can trigger postpartum depression manifested as mood swings, irritability, crying mantras and neglecting the mother’s health and newborn. In extreme cases, the disease may escalate into postpartum psychosis and the mother may harm the baby.
“Most mothers need psychological support, treatment and family encouragement to cope with these stages,” said Dr. Kumari. “Some situations require medical interventions with antipsychotics and psychiatric counseling.”
Although postpartum blues and depression affect up to 10% of new mothers, postpartum psychosis is less, affecting about 2-4% of women. However, according to Dr. Kumari, the increasing isolation of nuclear family structure and support systems for Indian families may lead to increased cases.
Consultant psychiatrist and psychotherapist Dr. Swetha Gullappalli illuminates the development of from postpartum depression to severe psychiatric disorder. “It can start with overwhelming, turning into a feeling of depression and in extreme cases lead to delusions and harmful behaviors for the child,” she explained.
She shares a painful case involving an IT professional who has longed for a child for years, struggling and exhausted after birth. “She felt indulged in the absence of enjoying the process of raising a child anymore. She was tired and felt like she was running away from the child. Every time she cried, she felt that she was not a good mother and she was responsible for the pain of her child. She was treated with antidepressants and weekly treatment to handle her company to make her work more beneficial. For months, she was happy and looked forward to having another child,” shared Dr. Swetha.
Instead, another case escalates dangerously. My mother’s postpartum depression turned into a paranoid delusion, making her believe that her mother-in-law was fighting her. “This fear drove her to hurt her six-month-old child because she felt the child was part of the in-law Hash’s plot. Fortunately, grandparents intervened, and the mother and daughter were safe. She later received treatment with antipsychotics.
While symptoms of postpartum depression are often seen as “baby blues”, for some women, they can be trapped in destructive crises and even criminal activities. This may be due to the reason women experience hallucinations and are known as “long-term suicide.”
Postpartum depression can lead to killing, but it is a rare condition but points to the urgent need for awareness and action, according to Dr. K. Sudha Rani, director of the Perinatal Psychiatry Clinic (IMH) at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH). Several socioeconomic factors contribute to the severity of this situation.
“Frequently, patients feel hallucinated and believe that their inner voice is driving them to kill the child. At some point in life they have experienced extremely difficult situations and sometimes they have a mental illness that creates a sense of fear that arises over the patient’s head and she may feel the only fear that she will kill the child because their fear is caused,” Suda said.
Postpartum depression can sometimes lead to suicide. Speaking of a case she encountered, principal Dr. Anita Rayirala said: “We met a woman who had a baby six years later, but it was impressive that her husband and her mother-in-law were not satisfied with the girl. Her family was not her family, but she didn’t seem to be her child, she had been in her business and she had been working hard. Rescued, but unfortunately her child died.”
According to Dr. Anita, the mother may be taken away for negativity or pregnancy, and she will not be able to treat the baby with sensitivity or be unwilling to show her willingness to raise the baby. One of the main reasons behind this behavior can also be the painful pregnancy process. Unnatural delivery processes often bring a lot of limitations and pain, and may prevent mothers from seeing the bright side of pregnancy, experts say.
Dr. Anita said domestic violence exacerbates the risk. “Women are victims of domestic violence, or any cruel acts made by their parents-in-law to them, are more likely to fall into depression.”
The only way to resolve this situation is to identify it and contact the counselor and take medication. Experts stress the importance of breaking the stigma of mental health, especially postpartum conditions. “Pregnancy is an emotional roller coaster,” Dr. Gullappalli said. “Recognizing these signs early and seeking professional help can be life-saving.”
Postpartum depression is not a personal failure. This is a medical condition that needs attention. Family, friends and healthcare providers must develop an environment where new moms feel supportive, heard and encouraged to seek help when needed. As Dr. Rani concluded: “Mental health support for mothers is not just about individuals, but also about protecting the entire family, especially vulnerable newborns.”
