Freida Pinto says she cried, felt lonely for months due to postpartum depression; Know what it is and how to cure it

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Freida Pinto opened her bout with postpartum depression after the birth of her son. The Hollywood actor said she cried a lot and felt lonely for months in 2021 and that she was advised by her husband to undergo therapy to treat her. He reads on to learn all about this mental health issue and why he should be identified, diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.

Updated May 26, 2023 | 1:03 PM IST

The Los Angeles-based actor first opened up about her postpartum struggle in an Instagram post last year

New Delhi: Hollywood actor, producer, and activist Freida Pinto says there’s no recovering from pregnancy because you’re forever changed. Frieda, mother of 18-month-old Rumi Ray, has opened her brush with postpartum depression.

The Slumdog Millionaire star said she was crying a lot and feeling lonely months after giving birth to her son in 2021. The Los Angeles-based actor first opened up about her postpartum struggle in an Instagram post last year.

“It hit me after the first three months. In the fourth month, when I got back to Los Angeles, and was ready to get back to work, the anxiety started to build. I was feeling like ‘I can’t do this, what have I done, the baby is always screaming”. I remember crying so much and feeling so alone and my parents had just left to go back to India…” she said on a podcast.

Freida, 38, said her photographer husband Cory Tran encouraged her to seek professional help. My husband was like I need to start seeing a therapist. The things you were saying and the things you are doing also make you feel very self-sabotaging. You need sleep but you’re sitting around trying to sort things out and plan things out,” she recalled.

“And the fact that today I can say it’s so normal. It was horrible, but I’m happy to have experienced it because I can relate better…” said Pinto.

What is postpartum depression?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, postpartum depression or PPD in women is a complex mix of physical, emotional and behavioral changes that occur in some women after giving birth.

Doctors say some textbooks are used to diagnose mental disorders and that PPD is a form of major depression that starts within 4 weeks of giving birth. The diagnosis of PPD is based not only on the time between delivery and onset, but also on the severity of the depression.

The “baby blues” that new mothers develop after giving birth is attributed to chemical, social and psychological changes taking place in the body. Although PPD can be treated with medication and counseling, doctors say women should seek help when they’re feeling down.

What causes PPD?

According to health experts, chemical changes cause a significant drop in hormones after childbirth, and while the link between this drop and depression is still unclear, the imbalance of estrogen and progesterone is thought to be the key.
Studies 1 say that female reproductive hormones increase tenfold during pregnancy and then suddenly decline after childbirth.

Signs and symptoms of PPD

You may show the following signs if you have PPD:

  • Sleep disturbances and insomnia
  • Loss of appetite
  • Severe fatigue and tiredness
  • Libido absent or low
  • Mood swings
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Anger issues
  • Feelings of hopelessness
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Difficulty concentrating

According to doctors 2 Untreated PPD can be dangerous for mothers and their children and should be diagnosed and treated early if:

  1. Symptoms persist beyond 2 weeks
  2. Normal body functions are disrupted
  3. I can’t cope with everyday situations
  4. Having thoughts of harming the baby

Disclaimer: Hints and tips mentioned in the article are for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietitian before starting any fitness program or making any changes to your diet.

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