Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression refers to depression occurring after childbirth. Up tp 20% experience this after giving birth. This form of depression is a serious but treatable medical illness that involves feelings of extreme sadness, indifference, and anxiety that often brings significant changes in energy, sleep, and attitude. The exact cause of postpartum depression is not known but it is believed to be linked to physical, chemical, social, and emotional changes that happen when having a baby. The good news is that postpartum depression can be treated with psychotherapy, and relief can be found. I implement the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) to evaluate the severity of the symptoms.

There are many symptoms of postpartum depression, including lack of interest or having trouble bonding with your baby, feeling anxious around your baby, or even having thoughts of hurting your baby. You may have trouble sleeping, cry for no reason or have thoughts of suicide.

Numerous women get what is commonly known as the baby blues — a mild, brief bout of depression — within a few days of giving birth. This is completely normal, and for many women, the baby blues go away in a few days. If your baby blues don’t go away, and you continue to experience these feelings for longer than 2 weeks, you may have postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression isn’t just something new mothers can get. It can affect new fathers too. One in ten dads get postpartum depression, and up to 18% develop a generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder at some point during pregnancy or in the first year postpartum. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), this rate can increase to 50% when the mother also has postpartum depression.