Postpartum Depression: An Overview
Postpartum depression affects approximately 10 percent of new mothers, according to the Mayo Clinic. Postpartum depression should not be confused with the “baby blues,” a period of anxiety and depression that affects many women in the days after childbirth. While the baby blues resolve on their own, postpartum depression symptoms can last for months if they’re not treated.
Causes of Postpartum Depression
The exact cause of postpartum depression is unknown, although major changes in hormone levels after pregnancy may trigger postpartum depression symptoms.
Factors such as age and number of children do not appear to increase a woman’s risk of postpartum depression, although a lack of emotional support makes postpartum depression symptoms more likely. Women with a history of depression (including previous cases of postpartum depression) or other mental illness are also at high risk of developing postpartum depression.
Postpartum Depression Signs and Symptoms
The baby blues are characterized by feelings of being overwhelmed and anxious. Loss of appetite, mood swings and crying spells are all symptoms of the baby blues.
Postpartum depression signs may resemble the baby blues, but are more severe and can be debilitating. While the baby blues develop within a few days of birth and last a few days or weeks, postpartum depression signs may develop up to a year after birth and last for weeks or months. Postpartum depression will not always go away on its own, and medical treatment may be necessary.
A lack of interest in the newborn and caring for the baby are possible postpartum depression signs. Postpartum depression symptoms can also include thoughts of self-harm or harming the baby.
Postpartum Psychosis
Postpartum psychosis is a rare mental disorder characterized by delusional thinking, hallucinations, and attempts to hurt oneself or one’s baby. The condition usually develops within two weeks of giving birth.
Postpartum psychosis may be the result of extremely severe postpartum depression symptoms, or may be a separate disorder. Whatever the cause, postpartum psychosis is a medical emergency requiring prompt treatment for the safety of both mother and child.
Postpartum Depression Help
Women suffering from postpartum depression may not be aware that they need help, or they may attempt to hide postpartum depression symptoms from other people. It’s not uncommon for women with postpartum depression to believe that they are “bad” mothers because of their symptoms.
Society assumes that a new mother will be happy and fully engaged with her baby. In many situations, this might be true, but postpartum depression prevents a woman from enjoying new motherhood. Guilt and anxiety over a seeming inability to embrace motherhood are common side effects of postpartum depression.
Fortunately, postpartum depression help is available. For the most part, postpartum depression treatment resembles other types of depression help. Antidepressants and therapy are both used to treat postpartum depression. Depression medication is available that is safe to use while breastfeeding.
Postpartum depression symptoms don’t have to interfere with parenthood and the enjoyment of a new child. Safe and effective postpartum depression help is available.
Resources
American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Staff. (n.d.). Postpartum depression. Retrieved May 11, 2010, from the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website: www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp091.cfm.
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2008). Postpartum depression. Retrieved May 11, 2010, from the Mayo Clinic website: www.mayoclinic.com/print/postpartum-depression/DS00546/METHOD=print&DSECTION=all.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Staff. (2009). Depression during and after pregnancy. Retrieved May 11, 2010, from the Women’s Health website: womenshealth.gov/faq/depression-pregnancy.cfm.