What is Postpartum Depression?

After giving birth, many new mothers experience the “baby blues”, which includes mood swings, anxiety, irritability, sadness, crying spells or sleeping difficulties.  These symptoms typically fade away after a few weeks.  Sometimes a new mother experiences sadness that is longer-lasting and more severe, which is called postpartum depression.  Postpartum depression is a type of depression that occurs within four weeks after childbirth and does not fade away.  It can also occur after a stillbirth or miscarriage.  Fortunately, treatment is available.

Symptoms of Postpartum Depression

At first, postpartum depression may appear to be the baby blues; however, the symptoms do not go away and are more intense.  The symptoms interfere with your ability to bond with your baby or to take care of your baby.   Symptoms of postpartum depression include:

• Insomnia
• Excessive fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Sadness or severe mood swings
• Loss of enjoyment in activities
• Withdrawal from family and friends
• Feelings of guilt or inadequacy
• Inability to concentrate
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Irritability or anger
• Loss of interest in sex
• Inability to bond with your baby
• Thoughts of death or suicide

Symptoms of Postpartum Psychosis

Sometimes a new mother develops postpartum psychosis, which is an even more severe form of depression than postpartum depression.  In postpartum psychosis, a new mother may see or hear things that are not there, be confused, act strangely and be paranoid.  A new mother with postpartum psychosis may also attempt to harm her baby.

Causes of Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is often caused by a complex combination of physical changes, emotional factors and stressors that occur after childbirth.

The physical changes involve a dramatic drop in the hormones estrogen and progesterone after delivering a baby.  During pregnancy, estrogen and progesterone increase, then drop after childbirth.  Other physical contributors include changes in blood pressure, metabolism and blood volume.

There are several emotional factors that contribute to postpartum depression.  Feeling overwhelmed by having a newborn can cause you to feel that you are not doing a good job in taking care of your baby.  This feeling can be intensified by a lack of sleep.  You may feel unattractive and not desirable after delivering a baby.  If you were working prior to childbirth, you may have a hard time adjusting to staying at home and taking care of your newborn.  You may feel out of control.

Stress may also contribute to postpartum depression.  Stressors, such as having financial difficulties, a lack of support from your partner or others, or having other children who demand your attention, can make you feel exhausted and frazzled.

Help for Postpartum Depression

If you think that you have postpartum depression, please seek help right away.  Tell your obstetrician or primary care provider about how you are feeling.  Your obstetrician or primary care provider may recommend medications and therapy.  Seeing a psychologist who specializes in treating postpartum depression will help you learn skills to reduce your symptoms of postpartum depression.  Getting treatment is important, so you can enjoy your baby.