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Health FAQs / Get to Know Postpartum Depression

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Last Modified May 18, 2008 at 07:11 PM PDT by KBets

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FAQs on Postpartum Depression

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#	Topic	Question	Answer
1	Description	What is depression	Depression can be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for short periods. But true clinical depression is a mood... Depression can be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for short periods. But true clinical depression is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration interfere with everyday life for an extended time. Depression can be mild, moderate, or severe. The degree of depression, which your doctor can determine, influences how you are treated.	view
2	Description	What is perinatal depression?	Depression that occurs during pregnancy or within a year after delivery is called 'Perinatal Depression.' Often, perinatal depression is not recognized or treated, because some normal pregnancy cha... Depression that occurs during pregnancy or within a year after delivery is called 'Perinatal Depression.' Often, perinatal depression is not recognized or treated, because some normal pregnancy changes cause similar symptoms and are happening at the same time. Tiredness,problems sleeping, stronger emotional reactions, and changes in body weight may occur during pregnancy and after pregnancy. But, these symptoms may also be signs of depression.	view
3	Description	How common is depression during and after pregnancy?	No statistics about the number of women with depression during and after pregnancy are available. But researchers believe that depression is one of the most common complications during and after pr... No statistics about the number of women with depression during and after pregnancy are available. But researchers believe that depression is one of the most common complications during and after pregnancy.	view
4	Types	What are the types depression following child birth?	There are three types of depression following child birth: Postpartum blues or maternity blues is the less severe mood disturbance, and peaks around day 3 and resolves after day 5. <... There are three types of depression following child birth: Postpartum blues or maternity blues is the less severe mood disturbance, and peaks around day 3 and resolves after day 5. Postpartum depression can present the first week postpartum and can last up to two years. Post partum psychosis, the most serious mood disturbance, can present two to three weeks postpartum. This needs medical treatment.	view
5	Description	What is postpartum depression?	Depression after pregnancy is called postpartum depression - also known as peripartum depression.	view
6	Causes	What causes depression in women?	There are a number of reasons why a woman gets depressed. Hormone changes or a stressful life event, such as a death in the family, can cause chemical changes in the brain that lead to depression. ... There are a number of reasons why a woman gets depressed. Hormone changes or a stressful life event, such as a death in the family, can cause chemical changes in the brain that lead to depression. Depression is also an illness that runs in some families. Sometimes, the cause for depression is not clear and can be related to medical illnesses (stroke, heart attack, cancer) or chemical imbalances (changes in the brain chemistry).	view
7	Causes	What are the causes of depression during pregnancy?	During pregnancy, these factors may increase a woman's chance of depression: History of depression or substance abuse Family history of mental illness Little support fr... During pregnancy, these factors may increase a woman's chance of depression: History of depression or substance abuse Family history of mental illness Little support from family and friends Anxiety about the fetus Problems with previous pregnancy or birth Marial or financial problems Young age (of mother)	view
8	Causes	What are the causes of depression after pregnancy?	After child birth, hormonal changes in a woman's body may trigger symptoms of depression. During pregnancy, the amount of two female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, in a woman's body increases... After child birth, hormonal changes in a woman's body may trigger symptoms of depression. During pregnancy, the amount of two female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, in a woman's body increases greatly. In the first 24 hours after childbirth, the amount of these hormones rapidly drops back down to their normal non-pregnant levels. Researchers think the fast change in hormone levels may lead to depression, just as smaller changes in hormones can affect a woman's moods before she gets her menstrual period. Occasionally, levelsof thyroid hormones may also drop after giving birth. The thyroid is a small gland in the neck that helps to regulate your metabolism (how your body uses and stores energy from food). Low thyroid levels can cause depression. Other factors that may contribute to postpartum depression include: Feeling tired after delivery, broken sleep patterns, and not enough rest often keeps a new mother from regaining her full strength for weeks Feeling overwhelmed with a new, or another, baby to take care of and doubting your ability to be a good mother. Having feelings of loss - loss of identity of who you are, or were, before having the baby, loss of control, loss of your pre-pregnancy figure, and feeling less attractive. Feeling stress from changes in work and home routines. Sometimes, women think they have to be 'supermom' or perfect, which is not realistic and can add stress. Having less free time and less control over time. Having to stay indoors for longer periods of time and having less time to spend with your partner and loved ones.	view
9	Differences	What is the difference between 'baby blues,' postpartum depression, and postpartum psychosis?	The baby blues can happen in the days right after childbirth and normally go away within a few days to a week. A new mother can have sudden mood swings, crying spells, loss of appetite, sleeping pr... The baby blues can happen in the days right after childbirth and normally go away within a few days to a week. A new mother can have sudden mood swings, crying spells, loss of appetite, sleeping problems, and feel irritable, restless, anxious, and lonely. Symptoms are not severe and treatment isn't needed. Postpartum depression can happen anytime within the first year after childbirth. A woman may have a number of symptoms such as sadness, lack of energy, trouble concentrating, anxiety, and feelings of guilt and worthlessness. The difference between postpartum depression and the baby blues is that postpartum depression often affects a woman's well-being and keeps her from functioning well for a longer period of time. Postpartum depression needs to be treated by a doctor. Postpartum psychosis is rare. It occurs in 1 or 2 out of every 1000 births and usually begins in the first 6 weeks postpartum. Women who have bipolar disorder or another psychiatric problem called schizoaffective disorder have a higher risk for developing postpartum psychosis. Symptoms may include delusions, hallucinations, sleep disturbances, and obsessive thoughts about the baby. A woman may have rapid mood swings, from depression to irritability to euphoria.	view
10	Symptoms	What are the symptoms of perinatal depression?	Any of these symptoms during and after pregnancy that last longer than two weeks are signs of depression: Feeling restless or irritable Feeling sad, hopeless, and overwhelmed Any of these symptoms during and after pregnancy that last longer than two weeks are signs of depression: Feeling restless or irritable Feeling sad, hopeless, and overwhelmed Crying a lot and depressed mood Having no energy or motivation Feeling constantly fatigued Eating too little or too much Sleeping too little or too much Trouble focusing, remembering, or making decisions. Feeling worthless and guilty Loss of interest or pleasure in activities Withdrawal from friends and family Having headaches, chest pains, heart palpitations (the heart beating fast and feeling like it is skipping beats), or hyperventilation (fast and shallow breathing) Thoughts of hurting oneself or committing suicide or dying Constant physical symptoms that do not get better with treatment, such as headaches, upset stomach, and pain that doesn't go away. After pregnancy, signs of depression may also include being afraid of hurting the baby or oneself and not having any interest in the baby.	view

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Comments

jdiaz, Jun 02, 2008 at 07:11 PM PDT said:
Women must be aware of the risk of depression during and after child birth...the risk is even more in cold countries, where there is a natural tendency to feel depressed (because of climatic conditions)

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