Perinatal Mental Health

What is Postpartum Depression?

Postpartum depression lasts for weeks or months and tends to be more intense than the “baby blues.” It generally starts about 1-3 weeks after giving birth. It might prevent you from being able to care for yourself, your baby, and the rest of your family. Lots of people deal with PPD-it’s a very common experience. Like all kinds of depression, postpartum depression is treatable.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests implementing Postpartum Depression screenings at the l, 2, 4, and 6-month well-child visits because the diagnosis is missed about 50% of the time.

What are the signs of PPD?

Someone may experience:

Sadness, anxiety, or anger that doesn’t go away
Feeling worthless, helpless, guilty, hopeless, or irritable
Feeling distant from your baby
Crying more than usual
Loss of energy
Withdrawing from family and friends

Trouble concentrating or making decisions
Appetite changes (eating more or less than usual)
Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
Constant doubts about your ability to raise your baby
Thoughts about hurting yourself or your baby

Treatment with medication doesn't have to be the answer, but therapy and medication used together have shown to be effective. 80% of patients treated achieved full remission, and if left untreated, it can lead to chronic depression.