Internet Addiction and the Postpartum Depression in Pandemic

Abstract

Internet addiction has spread across the globe, affecting individuals of all ages and social groups. Postpartum depression is often caused and intensified in situations of isolation—whether social, medical, residential, or professional. An individual’s perception of isolation varies from person to person, and the consequences largely depend on the degree of frustration, induced by specific forms of deprivation. Mothers experiencing postpartum depression often feel a sense of injustice with their destiny, believing they deserve more in life.

This dissatisfaction can lead to emotional instability, manifesting as sadness, anxiety, indecisiveness, shame, helplessness, and ultimately, depression. In severe cases, postpartum depression can lead to dismissive behaviour, such as quitting one’s job, career, distancing from extended family, friends, or even their own partner. These actions are often caused by a fear of rejection or not wanting to upset the people around them.

A major challenge for researchers and therapists lies in the difficulty of accurately defining the subjective experiences, measuring and correlating them with patient’s actions and evaluating the consequences reported by the patients. For many women, depression marks the moment when they feel they have lost the "bet with destiny." In such times, their child often becomes their main source of existential motivation to move forward. This is particularly common among mothers with a family history of psychological vulnerability.

In some cases, the idea of postpartum depression leads women to rationalise and justify their behaviours, as they struggle with their internal conflicts. The difficult journey from denial to awareness, and eventually to acceptance and reconciliation, can be made possible through specialised support, focused on helping the mother come to terms with her past and adapt to her new life.