Postpartum Depression: Not Just the "Baby Blues"
In the first days after childbirth, about 8 out of 10 women will experience mood swings or mild
depression, often called the "baby blues." It is considered normal for women to feel the baby blues for about 3 to 10 days after childbirth. These feelings usually go away in a week or two, and don't need to be treated.
If your "baby blues" last longer than two weeks, or are more severe than simple mood swings or mild depression, you may have postpartum depression.
After giving birth, about 10 to 15 out of 100 women experience postpartum depression. Women with this condition commonly experience some of these postpartum depression symptoms:
- Strong feelings of depression, anger, doubt, guilt, or helplessness that seem to get worse over time
- An inability to care for themselves or their baby
- Change in appetite
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Being intensely worried or concerned about the baby
- Having little or no interest in the baby
- Thoughts of suicide.
(Click Postpartum Depression Symptoms for more information.)
Causes of Postpartum Depression
There are many causes of postpartum
depression. Some of the feelings that are common with postpartum depression can be caused by:
- Hormonal changes
- Anxiety about taking care of a new baby
- Exhaustion from labor and lack of sleep
- Feeling overwhelmed with life's circumstances
- Having little or no help during the first few days after giving birth
- An emotional let-down following the experience of childbirth
- Previous mental illness or depression.
If you have previously been treated for depression, or have experienced postpartum depression before, you are at higher risk for developing postpartum depression.
Treatment for Postpartum Depression
If you experience any of the symptoms of postpartum depression and they persist or seem serious to you, then you should call your doctor right away. You may need additional treatment. Generally speaking, a combination of psychotherapy and medication can reduce the common symptoms of this condition. An ideal postpartum
depression treatment plan includes:
- Medical evaluation to rule out physiological problems
- Psychiatric evaluation
- Psychotherapy
- Medication (if necessary)
- Support group.
It is important that women receiving treatment for postpartum depression continue with treatment even after they feel better. If treatment is discontinued prematurely, the symptoms of postpartum depression can recur.
