Postpartum Depression FAQ's- What You Need to Know

Postpartum Depression FAQs- What You Need to Know

Is Postpartum depression common? 

Postpartum depression affects 1 in 7 women who give birth. For over ½ of women who experience PPD, this is their first time having a depressive episode. The likelihood you’ll have PPD does increase with a history of anxiety or depression but is not a requirement. Most women describe having “the baby blues”, which can be due to many factors that mothers, especially new mothers are subjected to. The more serious and life-threatening condition, postpartum psychosis, is extremely rare. About ½ of women with PPD describe having similar symptoms during pregnancy so it’s important to get help as early as possible! All of these things should be treated seriously and addressed with professional guidance. 

 What are the symptoms of postpartum depression? 

The warning signs are different for everyone but may include:

• A loss of pleasure or interest in things you used to enjoy
• Eating much more or much less than is usual
• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Racing, scary thoughts
• Feeling guilty or worthless
• Excessive irritability, anger or agitation
• Mood swings
• Sadness, crying uncontrollably for very long periods of time
• Persistent fear of not being a good mother
• Fear of being left alone with the baby
• Inability to sleep, sleeping too much, difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Disinterest in the baby, family, and friends
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, or making decisions
• Thoughts of hurting yourself or the baby (see below for numbers to call to get immediate help).

If these symptoms last longer than 2 weeks, it’s vital to seek professional help. Even mild PPD should be treated by a professional. 

What causes postpartum depression?

While the exact cause of PPD is unclear, the cause is believed to be a combination of physical, emotional, genetic, and social factors. These may include factors such as hormonal changes and sleep deprivation. Mothers, especially new mothers, undergo changes to their body, their hormones, their lifestyle, their relationships, even their brain’s gray matter changes! This is extremely overwhelming and can be too much to handle if paired with a lack of sleep, lack of support, or a history of mental illness. This is why it’s important that all mothers educate themselves on the symptoms and warning signs in order to know when they need to seek professional help.

How long after the baby is born can postpartum depression develop? 

PPD can develop a few days, weeks, or months after giving birth and will likely persist for months if left untreated.

What’s the difference between postpartum depression and having baby blues? 

Most new mothers, approximately 85%, experience the “baby blues.” This is a sadness that will typically dissipate by the time the baby is 1-2 weeks old. This is more due to the social changes that come with motherhood and the overwhelming reality that this little human needs you forever! When the depression persists after the 1-2 week mark, this is when you’re likely experiencing PPD and should seek help.

What is postpartum psychosis?

Postpartum psychosis (PP) is a severe, but treatable, form of mental illness that occurs after having a baby. It can happen ‘out of the blue’ to women without previous experience of mental illness. There are some groups of women, women with a history of bipolar disorder for example, who are at much higher risk. PP normally begins in the first few days to weeks after childbirth. It can get worse very quickly and should always be treated as a medical emergency. Most women need to be treated with medication and admitted to the hospital. With the right treatment, women with PP do make a full recovery. The illness can be frightening and shocking for both the woman experiencing it and her family. 

Symptoms can include:

• hallucinations - hearing, seeing, smelling or feeling things that are not there
• delusions – thoughts or beliefs that are unlikely to be true
• a manic mood – talking and thinking too much or too quickly, feeling "high" or "on top of the world"
• a low mood – showing signs of depression, being withdrawn or tearful, lacking energy, having a loss of appetite, anxiety, agitation or trouble sleeping
• sometimes a mixture of both a manic mood and a low mood - or rapidly changing moods
• loss of inhibitions
• feeling suspicious or fearful
• restlessness
• feeling very confused
• behaving in a way that's out of character

Where can I get help? 

Don’t face PPD alone—Seek help from a psychologist or other licensed mental health
provider; contact your doctor or other primary health care provider.

Once you’ve called your doctor, some other things you should do are: 

• Talk openly about your feelings with your partner, other mothers, friends, and relatives.
• Join a support group for mothers—ask your health care provider for suggestions if you
  can’t find one.
• Find a relative or close friend who can help you take care of the baby.
• Get as much sleep or rest as you can even if you have to ask for more help with the baby 
  —if you can’t rest even when you want to, tell your primary health care provider.
• As soon as your doctor or other primary health care provider says it’s okay, take walks, get exercise.
• Cut down on responsibilities
• Call someone to help with the baby if you find yourself unable to or if you have thoughts of harming yourself or the baby. 
• Take breaks from being with the baby, even if you just put them in a safe place while you take 5 minutes for yourself.

How can I support my partner or family member while they go through postpartum depression?

If you know or suspect that someone you know is dealing with postpartum depression, here are some things you could do to help:

• Offer to help take care of the baby. The person with PPD likely needs to take some time for themselves, offering to babysit or even just to come keep them company will make a huge difference.
• Talk to them. Especially if it’s a partner, keep the lines of communication open so that they can know they are not alone and that you are there to talk to them.
• Reassure them that this is not their fault and this temporary mental state does not make them a bad mother. They likely feel inadequate as a parent and will need reassurance that they are doing their very best.
• If you notice any alarming signs or symptoms that could lead to self-harm or risk the baby’s life, call 911 or call on another friend or family member to help.
• Invite them to join a support group, invite them on walks, help them to take the steps if they aren’t taking them for themselves.