Postpartum Depression Health Article

Definition

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a major depressive episode that occurs after childbirth. There are conflicting data regarding the time of onset. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (1995) supports the theory that PPD occurs within four weeks of childbirth. Other clinical investigations report its occurrence up to 12 weeks post-delivery; yet others state that PPD occurs from 6–12 months after delivery. It is reported that PPD may last longer than one month.

Description

The beginning of PPD tends to be gradual, and may persist for many months. It might develop into a second episode if there is a subsequent pregnancy. According to several controlled studies, PPD affects approximately 12–16% of childbearing women. In adolescent mothers, the figure can be as high as 26%. Women who have a previous history of depression are predisposed to PPD; and up to 30% of women who have had a major depressive episode before they conceived might develop PPD. This rate can rise as high as 50–62% in women who have a history of depression in previous pregnancies or during the postpartum periods.

Mild cases of PPD are sometimes unrecognized by women themselves. Embarrassment about difficulty coping with their new circumstances is sometimes shared by new mothers—so much that they might conceal it. This is a serious problem that disrupts women's lives and can have negative effects on the baby, other children, the new mother's partner, and other significant relationships. Marital problems, inadequate social networks, ambivalence about the pregnancy, and disturbing life events can add to the risk of depression.

The father's risk of becoming depressed increases significantly during the postpartum period as well.

Postpartum depression is often divided into two types: early onset and late onset. An early-onset depression most often presents as "baby blues," a brief experience during the first days or weeks following birth. During the first week after the birth of their child, up to 80% of mothers may experience the "baby blues." This period of time is characterized by feelings of oversensitivity, uncontrollable teariness, irritability, anxiety, and mood changes. Symptoms tend to peak between three and five days after childbirth, and normally disappear within a few days.

In short, some depression, tiredness, and anxiety often fall within the normal range of reactions after giving birth.

A late-onset PPD appears several weeks after the birth. This may involve a growing feeling of sadness, grief, lack of energy, chronic fatigue, inability to sleep, changes in appetite, significant weight loss or gain, difficulty caring for the baby—and sometimes, thoughts of harming the baby.