What Is Postpartum Depression? Signs and Symptoms
Postpartum depression is a type of mood disorder that can affect mothers and their partners. It can develop during pregnancy or within the first few weeks after the baby’s arrival. It’s possible to have postpartum depression up to a year after becoming a parent, regardless of whether you’ve just welcomed your first child or your fourth.
What are the symptoms of postpartum depression?
There are many symptoms of postpartum depression. The most common symptoms include, but are not limited to:
- Feeling sad and depressed
- Crying often
- Frequent mood swings
- Loss of interest in hobbies and activities you used to enjoy
- Feelings of restlessness and hopelessness
- Difficulty bonding with your baby
- Loss of appetite or increased appetite
- Sluggishness and tiredness
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Frequent feelings of guilt, shame, irritability, anger, anxiety, stress
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
- Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
Can my partner have postpartum depression?
Your partner is just as susceptible to postpartum depression as you are. Welcoming an infant into your household initiates a big change in your sleep patterns and your daily routine. It can even impact your communication with one another during stressful times. For these and other reasons, one or both of you could be diagnosed with postpartum depression, and you should make it a priority to receive treatment, whether that comes in the form of antidepressants, talk therapy, or another treatment method your doctor thinks is best for you.
Can postpartum depression affect my baby?
Postpartum depression can affect your baby if you begin to resist wanting to spend time with your baby and feel disconnected or resentful. This makes it difficult for you to form a bond with your child, leading to feelings of guilt, shame, and inadequacy, which can push you even further away from embracing the moments that would otherwise bring you joy.
Remember, there is no shame in prioritizing your mental and emotional well-being. It will benefit you and those around you, especially your baby.
When to see a doctor
You should see a doctor if you have a history of depression or were diagnosed with postpartum depression after the birth of a previous child. Your doctor can monitor you for symptoms of depression during pregnancy and prescribe any necessary medication. After your child is born, your doctor can take other proactive approaches to help diagnose and treat postpartum depression; a postpartum checkup, for example, will allow your doctor to screen for postpartum depression.
If you feel lost, discouraged, hopeless, are quick to anger or feel frustrated with yourself, your partner, and/or your baby—and your symptoms are making it difficult for you to care for your baby—call your doctor as soon as possible. There are many treatment options available to you, and they’re proven to work well so you can navigate parenthood with greater ease and confidence. If you are breastfeeding, rest assured that most antidepressants can be taken during breastfeeding without posing any risks to your baby.
