Having survived a pretty serious fight with peri- and postpartum depression myself, I was thrilled to find an excellent article in Parents magazine this month tackling the topic. Thanks to the efforts of well-known women, such as Brooke Shields and former New Jersey first lady Mary Beth Cody, more and more women are coming forward to discuss their problems with PPD and to create awareness of the issue.
According to this article, between 70 and 80 percent of new moms say they've experienced the "baby blues" within a few days of giving birth. The symptoms usually only last a few weeks, though, and normally go away without treatment. What happens for other women, though, is much more serious. Actual postpartum depression doesn't necessarily begin right away; it can occur anytime during the first year after your child is born.
I would encourage you to start out by reading the article itself, since it covers the issue in a positive and supportive light. However, if you've given birth within the past year and have had at least five of the warning signs listed over a two week period, you may be experiencing postpartum depression. Don't be afraid that you will have to start on medications if you don't want to. Ask that your doctor provide you with a referral to a counselor if that is what you are most comfortable with. Be honest with yourself, your spouse, and close friends or family; if you need help, ask for it.
Warning signs of PPD include:
- Sleep problems (too little or too much sleeping)
- Fatigue, lack of energy
- Sad mood
- Loss of interest/pleasure in day-to-day activities or those you once enjoyed
- Excessive anxiety/worry
- Feeling overwhelmed/inability to make decisions
- Short temper/irritability
- Feeling of hopelessness
- Changes in appetite leading to significant weight gain/loss
- Feeling agitated
- Lack of feeling toward your child
- Feeling your child would be better off without you
- Physical symptoms such as headaches, chest pains, rapid breathing
- Fears of harming your child
- Suicidal thoughts
If you are experiencing the last two, don't wait another second. Contact your doctor immediately and ask him/her to meet with you right away. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or dial 911.
You can get information and support from the following sources about postpartum depression:
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