Postpartum Depression
Overview
Risk Factors
The risk of this problem is higher in those with:
- A prior history of depression or PPD
- A prior history of anxiety disorders
- A family history of mood disorders
- Stress or conflict at home or with a partner
- Problems breastfeeding
Central Nervous System |
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Hormonal changes in the brain may contribute to postpartum depression. |
Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc. |
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Symptoms
Problems may be:
- Feelings of irritability, worry, or panic
- Loss of interest or pleasure in life
- Rapid mood swings
- Feelings of hopelessness or guilt
- Change in weight or hunger
- Obsessive, unreasonable thoughts
- Repetitive fears about your child’s health and welfare
- Poor focus, memory loss, and problems making decisions
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Restlessness
- Lack of energy or motivation
More severe problems may be:
- Lack of interest in your infant
- Fear of hurting or killing yourself or your child
- Thoughts of death or suicide
- Sensing or believing things that are not real
- Loss of contact with reality
Treatments
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
Copyright © EBSCO Information Services
All rights reserved.
RESOURCES
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists https://www.acog.org
Office on Women's Health https://www.womenshealth.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Canadian Psychological Association https://www.cpa.ca
Women's Health Matters—Women's College Hospital http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca
References
ACOG Committee Opinion No. 650: physical activity and exercise during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Obstet Gynecol. 2015;126(6):e135-e142. Reaffirmed 2017.
Do I have a form of postpartum depression? American Pregnancy Association website. Available at: http://americanpregnancy.org/first-year-of-life/forms-of-postpartum-depression. Accessed November 17, 2020.
Postpartum depression. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/postpartum-depression. Accessed November 17, 2020.
Postpartum depression. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gynecology-and-obstetrics/postpartum-care-and-associated-disorders/postpartum-depression. Accessed November 17, 2020.
Postpartum depression. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website. Available at: https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Postpartum-Depression. Accessed November 17, 2020.
Stewart DE, Vigod S. Postpartum Depression. N Engl J Med. 2016 Dec 1;375(22):2177-2186.