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The Many Faces of Postpartum Depression (PPD) Postpartum Depression is often used as a general term for a variety of mood disorders that occur after childbirth. These disorders include true postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and postpartum psychosis. The “baby blues” refers to a brief state of moodiness that occurs almost immediately after childbirth and disappears within a few days. Postpartum mood disorders can also occur in a comorbid state (two disorders can be present at the same time—e.g., a woman may experience symptoms of both anxiety and depression). Distinguishing features of each postpartum mood disorder are described below. The “Baby Blues”(Not True PPD) Onset Usually within a week after giving birth Statistics Can occur in 80% of women in the postpartum period Physical Indicators · Drastic mood swings · Elation and joy followed by sadness · Crankiness · Crying spells Feelings “I have a baby—now what?” “Everyone’s admiring the baby. What about me?” “Will I be able to handle motherhood?” “An infant needs so much attention!” “Everyone says I’m supposed to be happy…” “I want my old body back!” “I feel like I got hit by a truck.” “I could sleep for days.” Treatment · Rest · Proper nutrition · Help with the baby and household · Support from family/friends · Avoiding isolation Postpartum Depression Onset Can begin any time after birth, and may appear for up to a year after delivery Statistics Occurs in 1 of 10 women in the postpartum period Physical Indicators · Marked weight loss/gain due to appetite changes · Changes in sleeping patterns (increased sleeping or can’t stay asleep) · Despair · Crying spells · Withdrawal · Avoiding the baby Feelings “I don’t want to get out of bed in the morning.” “Everything is hopeless—what’s the point?” “I’m never going to feel good again.” “I’m staring into a big, black hole.” “I don’t want to deal with anyone. I wish they’d all leave me alone.” Treatment · Assessment by a medical professional · Talk therapy · Support Groups · Antidepressants/Sleep medication · Hormone therapy Postpartum Anxiety There are three categories of Postpartum Anxiety disorders. Characteristics of each are listed below. 1.) Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) · Uncontrollable, excessive worry or anxiety · Restlessness, fatigue, irritability, muscle tension, and/or insomnia “I’m consumed with worry.” “I’m tense and on edge all the time.” 2.) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) · Obsessive thoughts about intentionally or accidentally harming the baby or others; other obsessive and disturbing thoughts · Uncontrollable repetitive, ritualistic behaviors (i.e., sterilizing the same clean bottles 20 times a day, pulling out one’s hair) “Don’t leave me alone with the baby. I might do something bad.” “It’s like a horror movie playing in my head.” “Everything is contaminated! We can’t leave the house.” 3.) Panic disorder · Extreme anxiety · Chest pains, dizziness, sweating, shaking, palpitations · A feeling of complete loss of control—“losing it” “I feel like the walls are closing in on me.” “I can’t breathe!” Statistics Same as postpartum depression--can occur in 1 in 10 women during the postpartum period Treatment Assessment by a medical professional Talk therapy Support Groups Antidepressants/Antianxietants/Sleep medication Hormone therapy Note: Medication is often required to bring severe cases of anxiety under control. Postpartum Psychosis Onset Usually occurs within two to three weeks after childbirth Statistics Rare--occurs in 1 in 1,000 women in the postpartum period Physical Indicators · Hallucinations · Delusions (often religious—the mother has done something wrong and will be punished by God) · Severe insomnia · No interest in eating · Extreme anxiety and agitation · Suicidal or homicidal thoughts or gestures · Lack of attention to personal hygiene Treatment · Immediate assessment by a medical professional · Hospitalization · Antipsychotic/Antidepressant/Sleep medication · Hormone therapy · Talk therapy · Support Groups Note: Postpartum Psychosis is considered a severe medical emergency, and requires immediate medical attention. When left untreated, this disorder can have tragic results for both the mother and her children. Questions? Please contact us via toll-free phone at 1-877-472-1002, or e-mail at info@texaspostpartum.org. Our hotline is staffed on a 24-hour basis, and is equipped to handle multilingual calls. Postpartum Resource Center Of Texas, Inc. is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. The information on this site is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical or psychological condition. You should consult your doctor for individual advice regarding your own situation. Copyright ©2003 by Postpartum Resource Center of Texas, Inc. All rights reserved. You may reproduce materials available at this site for your own personal use and for non-commercial distribution. All copies must include the above copyright notice.