Welcoming a new baby into your life can bring on various emotions. You may feel joyful, excited, and ready for new beginnings, but with these positive emotions it’s also common to feel overwhelmed, anxious, or uncertain as you navigate the challenges of parenthood. For many new parents, these feelings gradually subside, but for some, they can intensify and lead to postpartum depression.
Postpartum depression is a mental health condition that goes beyond the typical ‘baby blues’ that many new moms experience. It can manifest as intense sadness, anxiety, guilt, and loneliness, making it difficult to bond with your baby or manage daily tasks. While these symptoms can be distressing, it’s important to know that postpartum depression is not a sign of weakness or failure, it’s a medical condition that affects up to 15% of new parents. Thankfully, postpartum treatment can be treated with medication and therapy.
In this article, we’ll explore what postpartum depression is, potential causes and symptoms, when to get help, and different ways to treat postpartum depression. Our goal is to provide you with the information and support you need to navigate this difficult time so you can focus on your health and the wellbeing of your baby.
What is postpartum depression?
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a type of depression that affects some new parents. It usually begins within the first four weeks after childbirth and is diagnosed based on how soon it appears after delivery as well as the severity of symptoms.
Unlike the ‘baby blues’, which are common and usually resolve on their own, postpartum depression is more intense and lasts longer. It can involve feelings of deep sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, and overwhelm, making it difficult to care for yourself and your baby. PPD can affect anyone who has recently given birth, regardless of their background or circumstances, and it can even affect surrogates and adoptive parents too. This is because PPD isn’t just caused by hormonal changes but can also be a result of the various physical, emotional, financial, and social changes that come after having a baby.
If you’re experiencing postpartum depression, it’s important to know that you’re not alone, you’re not a bad person, and help is out there. Postpartum depression is common and can be treated with medication and counseling.
See Similar: Antepartum Depression: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Types of postpartum depression
Postpartum depression is just one of three postpartum mood disorders. Sometimes, these other mental health conditions are classified as postpartum depression although they are technically different. To help you better understand your experience and the types of postpartum mood disorders, we explore each of them below.
Postpartum blues or ‘baby blues’
The ‘baby blues’ is an extremely common response to childbirth that affects up to 70% of women. They’re thought to be a result of the sudden hormonal changes that occur after birth as well as the exhaustion and stress of adjusting to a new routine. People with the baby blues will experience frequent bouts of crying, sadness, anxiety, restlessness, irritability, and loneliness. They may experience mild mood swings, going from feeling very happy to suddenly feeling very sad.
Baby blues appear within the first few days after delivery and can last anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. While they can be challenging, they’re a normal part of the postpartum experience and usually don’t require medical treatment. Most of the time, symptoms resolve on their own after a few weeks. The most helpful solution can be to seek support from your partner, friends, family, or a support group for new parents.
Keep Reading: What is Low-Grade Depression? Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
Postpartum depression
Postpartum depression is more serious than the baby blues. It can affect up to 15% of new parents, and those who have experienced postpartum depression in the past will be 10-50% more likely to experience it again with each pregnancy.
People with postpartum depression will experience similar symptoms to the baby blues, such as mood swings, frequent crying, guilt, and anxiety, but they will be more severe. PPD will make it difficult to get through the day and care for yourself and your baby. It can last several months, but thankfully, treatment is available.
If you think you have postpartum depression, it’s important to reach out to a mental health professional for support. With the right treatment plan, you can ease your symptoms and regain your mental wellbeing.
Postpartum psychosis
Postpartum psychosis is an extremely rare, but severe, mental health condition that can occur in the weeks after childbirth. It is characterized by confusion, hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, insomnia, hyperactivity, mania, or agitation. Postpartum psychosis is rare and only affects around 1 in 1,000 people after delivery.
Unlike postpartum depression or the baby blues, postpartum psychosis is considered an emergency and requires immediate medical attention. This is because people experiencing postpartum psychosis may have thoughts of harming themselves or their baby, making it not only distressing but also dangerous if left untreated.
Is postpartum depression common?
If you’re experiencing postpartum depression, know that you’re not alone and it’s extremely common. Up to 70% of people will experience the baby blues after childbirth, and nearly 15% will develop postpartum depression. About 1 in 1,000 people will experience the more serious postpartum psychosis.
It’s not only new mothers who experience postpartum depression, but fathers too. Some research shows that around 10% of new fathers experience depression in the year after their child is born. It’s not something to feel ashamed of and you’re not a bad parent for feeling this way.
Keep Reading: How Depression Affects Relationships and What You Can Do
Symptoms of postpartum depression
Below, we look at the signs and symptoms of the three main types of postpartum depression.
Baby blues symptoms
Baby blues symptoms typically last only a few days to a few weeks after childbirth. Symptoms can include:
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Sadness
- Frequent crying
- Irritability
- Overwhelm
- Difficulty concentrating
- Appetite changes
- Difficulty sleeping.
Postpartum depression symptoms
Postpartum depression may initially look like the baby blues, but symptoms are more severe and last longer. Eventually, PPD can become so overwhelming that it affects your ability to care for your baby and yourself. When left untreated, postpartum depression can last several months or longer.
Symptoms of postpartum depression include:
- Depressed mood
- More severe mood swings
- Frequent crying
- Isolating yourself from family and friends
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Appetite changes
- Being unable to sleep or sleeping too much
- Fatigue
- Lack of motivation
- Overwhelm
- Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Irritability and impatience
- Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, guilt, or shame
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Restlessness
- Inability to bond with your baby
- Feeling that you’re not a good parent
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
- Thoughts of death or suicide.
Postpartum psychosis symptoms
Postpartum psychosis has severe symptoms that can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. These symptoms can include:
- Feeling confused
- Visual or auditory hallucinations
- Delusions or losing touch with reality
- Sleep issues
- Obsessive thoughts about your baby
- Paranoia
- Excessive energy
- Mania
- Rapid speech
- Attempting to harm yourself or your baby.
When to get help for postpartum depression
If you experience any of the following symptoms, it’s important to seek help from a doctor or mental health provider immediately:
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
- Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
- Feeling depressed most of the day, every day, for at least two weeks
- Feelings of anxiety, guilt, hopelessness, fear, panic, or worthlessness
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Lack of interest in most activities nearly every day for the last two weeks.
While some people can feel embarrassed to admit they experience these symptoms, it’s important to seek help right away. It’s not your fault you are experiencing this and getting support can help ease your symptoms and improve your wellbeing.
Baby blues vs postpartum depression
Some people feel confused about the difference between postpartum depression and baby blues. Both have similar symptoms, however baby blues symptoms are less intense than postpartum depression and usually resolve within ten days. When you have postpartum depression, symptoms can be more severe and last up to several months.
The best way to know if what you’re experiencing is baby blues or postpartum depression is to speak to a mental health provider who can assess your symptoms and provide an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan if needed. Feel free to reach out to our team at BestMind Behavioral Health if you’d like further guidance understanding your symptoms.
Similar Reading: Depression vs. Anxiety: Which One Do I Have? Symptoms & Treatment
What causes postpartum depression?
The exact causes of postpartum depression are thought to be a combination of chemical, social, and psychological changes that happen after birth. These include:
- Hormonal changes: After giving birth, you may experience a dramatic decrease in estrogen and progesterone levels, as well as hormones produced by your thyroid gland. These changes can make you feel more fatigued, sluggish, and depressed.
- Lack of sleep: Caring for a newborn can cause you to lose sleep. When you are sleep deprived, it’s easier to feel overwhelmed and you may have difficulty handling day-to-day life.
- Anxiety: Many parents feel anxious about their ability to care for a baby, particularly first-time parents.
- Self-image: Sometimes, new mothers can struggle with adjusting to their new bodies postpartum. They may feel less attractive, confused about their sense of identity, or feel that they’ve lost control over their lives.
There are also certain factors that cause an increased risk in developing postpartum depression. These risk factors include:
- A personal or family history of major depression, postpartum depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and other mental illness (such as bipolar disorder or OCD)
- Change in hormone levels after childbirth
- Not having enough social support around you
- Conflict in your marriage or relationship
- Feeling unsure about the pregnancy
- Being younger than 20 years of age or a single parent
- Having a baby with special needs
- Having twins or triplets
- Having a baby who cries a lot, is difficult to comfort, or has unpredictable sleep and hunger needs
- Feeling stressed about caring for your new baby and managing your new life
- Being a first time mother, or having more children (your chances of PDD increase with the more children you have)
- Pregnancy complications, such as health issues, difficult delivery, or premature birth
- Other emotional stressors, such as the death of a loved one or financial issues.
How is postpartum depression treated?
Each person experiences postpartum depression differently and treatments will be customized to target the type and severity of your symptoms. Generally, postpartum depression treatments can include medication, psychotherapy, support groups, and coping strategies.
Antidepressant medications
You may be prescribed antidepressant medications to help manage your postpartum depression symptoms. These medications help balance the chemicals in your brain which regulate mood.
Antidepressants which are prescribed for postpartum depression include:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): These include sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs): These include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
- Tricyclic antidepressants: These include amitriptyline (Elavil) or imipramine (Tofranil)
- Atypical antidepressants: This includes bupropion (Wellbutrin).
Being treated with medication requires patience and it can take a few weeks for antidepressants to begin to take effect. You may be asked to adjust your dose or change medications to find one that works for you.
If you’re breastfeeding, it’s important to talk to your medication management specialist about the benefits and risks of medication. Some medications can transfer to your baby through your milk, however this is usually minimal and most antidepressant medications are considered safe. Your mental healthcare provider can work with you to choose a medication that targets your symptoms and is safe for you and your baby.
See More: Do Antidepressants Work and How Effective Are They?
Coping strategies
Medication and talk therapy can be helpful ways to manage your postpartum depression symptoms and start feeling better. Beyond these two treatment options, however, there are also many coping strategies you can practice to make living with postpartum depression easier on you and your baby. Remember, it’s OK to feel overwhelmed and you don’t have to suffer alone.
Below are some things you can do to help cope with postpartum depression:
- Find someone to talk to, whether it’s a therapist, friend, or family member, it’s important to not feel alone in your struggle
- Join a support group for new parents
- Prioritize rest and be gentle with yourself
- Find time for activities you usually enjoy, such as reading or hobbies
- Seek help for difficult tasks, such as chores or errands
- If your health provider says it’s OK, go out for walks or practice other exercise that makes you feel good
- Try not to worry about not finishing tasks and reduce your responsibilities where possible.
Most of all, remember that postpartum depression is extremely common and it’s never your fault. It’s okay that you’re feeling this way and help is available. Postpartum depression is treatable and you will be on the road to feeling better soon.
Continue Reading: How Diet and Exercise Affect Your Mental Health
Get help for postpartum depression
If you or someone you know is experiencing postpartum depression, know that it’s not something you have to face alone. With the right support and treatment, you can regain your mental wellbeing and enjoy your time with your baby.
At BestMind Behavioral Health, we are here to provide compassionate care tailored to your needs. Our team of licensed professionals have experience helping moms navigate postpartum depression and offer consultations through telemedicine and in-person at our clinics in Colorado and Oregon. Your mental health matters and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
