Postpartum Depression

Women's Mental Health Home > Mental Health Conditions > Postpartum Depression

Many new moms feel happy one minute and sad the next. If you feel better after a week or so, you probably just had the "baby blues." If it takes you longer to feel better, you may have postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression can make you feel restless, anxious, fatigued and worthless. Some new moms worry they will hurt themselves or their babies. Unlike the "baby blues," postpartum depression does not go away quickly. Very rarely, new moms develop something even more serious. They may stop eating, have trouble sleeping and become frantic or paranoid. Women with this condition usually need to be hospitalized.

Researchers think that changes in your hormone levels during and after pregnancy may lead to postpartum depression. If you think you have it, tell your health care provider. Medicine and talk therapy can help you get well.

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Additional Resources

Publications

Depression During and After Pregnancy: A Resource for Women, Their Families, and Friends - This booklet provides information on depression during or after pregnancy, addressing a broad range of physical and emotional struggles faced by pregnant and postpartum women and their families. The booklet focuses on the possible causes of perinatal depression; the differences between “baby blues”, perinatal depression, and postpartum psychosis; and how to identify perinatal depression, what to do, and how it can affect your baby and your family. This booklet includes resources on where to get help and advice for fathers, families, and friends.
http://www.mchb.hrsa.gov/pregnancyandbeyond/depression/
Frequently Asked Questions - Depression During and After Pregnancy - This publication explains how common depression is during and after pregnancy, what causes it, what the symptoms are, how it is treated, and how untreated depression can affect your life.
http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/postpartum.htm
Postpartum Depression (Copyright © MFMER) - This on-line publication provides information about postpartum depression. It includes sections on signs and symptoms, causes, risk factors, screening and diagnosis, treatment, and self-care.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/postpartum-depression/DS00546
Postpartum Depression and the 'Baby Blues' (Copyright © AAFP) - This fact sheet provides information about the symptoms of postpartum depression and the steps you can take toward treatment.
http://familydoctor.org/379.xml
Postpartum Disorders (Copyright © NMHA) - This fact sheet describes what postpartum depression (PPD), ‘baby blues”, and postpartum psychosis are, what the symptoms are, and what factors contribute to PPD. Also included are suggested treatments and additional resources.
http://www.nmha.org/index.cfm?objectId=C7DF8CE1-1372-4D20-C892917FA2B62555

Organizations

= Indicates Federal Resources

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