Postpartum Depression: Signs And Symptoms

The weeks after a woman gives birth can be exciting and joyful for her and her family. But for many women, the stresses of new motherhood, combined with the physiological changes that occur in their bodies after pregnancy, can lead to conflicting emotions and wide mood swings.

Although a woman may become depressed at any time in her life, she is especially vulnerable to depression after the birth of a baby. Depression is a mood disorder characterized by negative thinking and feelings of sadness, despair, and dejection. People who are depressed sometimes describe the experience as being in a "gray fog," or feeling "numb." They may have difficulty sleeping, feel extremely fatigued, and find it difficult to concentrate on complex tasks. Depression may affect a person's appetite, immune system, physical movements, and general physical health.

The signs and symptoms of depression after pregnancy, or postpartum depression, are generally the same as for any kind of depression. However, women suffering from postpartum blues or depression are often overly fearful, without good cause, that their baby will be harmed. They may also fear that they are "bad" mothers and feel guilty that they are not "good enough."

An episode of postpartum psychosis is a crisis situation, and medical help should be sought immediately if a new mother is experiencing delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, or grossly disorganized behavior.

Generally, depression after pregnancy is divided into three major types, depending on the severity of the symptoms and how long they last:

Symptoms Of The Baby Blues
The baby blues usually occur one to two days after a woman gives birth and may last up to three weeks. The disorder is so common among new mothers that it is considered "normal," although a woman suffering from the baby blues does not feel normal. She may feel fine one minute and then burst into tears the next. She may feel irritable and generally depressed or down. Other symptoms include: