Postpartum depression (PPD) is a widely misunderstood condition that can have a devastating impact. Thankfully, when a person with PPD receives an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment, they can regain their health and live a more hopeful and satisfying life.
What Is Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression is a mental health disorder whose symptoms begin to occur while a person is pregnant or soon after they have given birth. In the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) it is identified as major depressive disorder with peripartum onset.
What Are the Types of Postpartum Depression?
The spectrum of postpartum depression symptoms can range from the temporary distress of “the baby blues” to hallucinations, psychosis, and suicidal ideation.
Postpartum Blues (Baby Blues)
The baby blues are mild depressive symptoms that are extremely common among people who have recently given birth. Hormonal fluctuations, combined with the physical and emotional strain of caring for a newborn, can undermine a new parent’s mood and drain them of energy and motivation.
Symptoms of the baby blues aren’t typically as severe as the other types of PPD in this section, nor do they usually last as long. As the person’s hormone levels return to their pre-pregnancy balance, the baby blues usually begin to dissipate.
Postpartum Depression (PPD)
If a person experiences severe depressive symptoms that endure for an extended period, they may have developed postpartum depression.
As established in the DSM-5, the criteria for a diagnosis of PPD include having multiple symptoms that cause “clinically significant distress or impairment” and which are present most of the day, most days, for at least two consecutive weeks.
Postpartum Anxiety
Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health conditions throughout the world, including among people who are pregnant or who have recently given birth. Common symptoms of postpartum anxiety can include:
- Persistent sense of fear or foreboding
- Excessive worry that something bad is about to happen to you or your child
- Difficulty focusing, concentrating, and sleeping
- Headaches, stomach aches, and muscle tension
- Elevated heart rate and shortness of breath
- Agitation and irritability
- Restlessness
Postpartum anxiety may occur on its own or in combination with either PPD or the baby blues.
Postpartum Psychosis
Postpartum psychosis is a serious but thankfully rare condition, affecting an estimated one of every 1,000 people who give birth. Symptoms of this disorder can include:
- Periods of mania, which are marked by increased energy, racing thoughts, talkativeness, and impulsivity
- Depressive episodes, which involve diminished mood, attitude, and energy levels
- Sudden, rapid shifts between mania and depression
- Hallucinations, with can include hearing, seeing, or otherwise sensing things that don’t actually exist
- Delusions, or rigidly held beliefs that have no basis in reality, such as being certain that you have magical powers or are being secretly persecuted by family members or strangers
Symptoms of postpartum psychosis can be extremely troubling, both to the person who develops them and to their loved ones. Thankfully, this is a treatable condition with a high likelihood of full recovery if addressed in a timely manner
Who is Affected by Postpartum Depression?
Estimates of the global prevalence of postpartum depression range from 6.5%-20% of all people who give birth. A recent study of health data from Southern California found that the annual rate of PPD increased from 9.4% in 2010 to 19.3% in 2021.
While anyone who becomes pregnant can develop PPD, several factors can increase their risk, such as:
- Having a high-risk or particularly difficult pregnancy
- Personal history of depression or anxiety
- Prior struggles with PPD
- Family history of mental health disorders
- Personal history of being physically, verbally, and/or sexually assaulted
- Poor nutrition habits, insufficient sleep, and lack of exercise
- Vitamin B deficiency
- Lack of effective personal support
What Are the Symptoms of Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression can impact different people in different ways, but common PPD symptoms include:
- Lack of energy and motivation
- Overwhelming fatigue and exhaustion
- Deep, persistent sadness
- Finding it difficult or impossible to bond with your child
- Fear that you are a bad parent
- Pervasive sense of shame and/or guilt
- Loss of interest in most activities
- Inability to feel happiness
- Thoughts of harming your baby
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Important note: If you fear that you or someone in your life is at risk of suicide, get help immediately.
In the U.S., you can access the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline either online or by calling or texting 988. This free service is staffed by trained professionals who can connect you with appropriate resources in your area.
What are Some of the Ways to Support Yourself if You Are Experiencing Postpartum Depression?
If you have developed postpartum depression, here are a few ways that you may be able to alleviate your symptoms and improve your mood:
- Follow a healthy diet plan: The need to fuel your body with nutritious food doesn’t end when you give birth. Studies indicate that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains can be a protective factor against PPD.
- Get an adequate amount of sleep: As most parents will attest, sleepless nights are common when there’s a new baby in the home. Unfortunately, if you have developed postpartum depression, lack of sleep can exacerbate your symptoms.
- Ask for help with childcare and other tasks: It can be extremely difficult to eat well and get enough sleep if you are caring for a newborn by yourself or with limited support. Don’t be afraid to ask close friends or trusted family members to help you.
- Practice self-soothing and stress management techniques: Meditation, mindfulness, breathwork, and journaling are examples of techniques that can help you process your experiences and reduce your psychological distress.
- Avoid isolation: You may not feel much like socializing, but remaining connected to a small group of loved ones can be an essential source of support as you work to overcome the symptoms of PPD.
- Find a PPD support group: Joining a postpartum depression support group – either in person or online – can be an excellent opportunity to avoid isolation while also connecting with others who have firsthand experience with the challenges you’re facing.
- Consider professional treatment: If self-care and the efforts of loved ones aren’t enough to ease your distress, it may be time to talk to a therapist, counselor, or other professional. You wouldn’t ignore threats to your physical health after giving birth, and you shouldn’t neglect your mental health needs either.
Contact Montare Behavioral Health to Treat Postpartum Depression
Montare Behavioral Health is a leading provider of personalized care for adults who have developed postpartum depression and other mental health disorders.
Our mental health treatment centers in California and Arizona are warm and welcoming places where patients receive customized services from a team of highly skilled professionals. With options that include inpatient care, outpatient programming, day treatment, and telehealth, we can tailor our services to meet the unique needs of each person who chooses to heal with us.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free consultation, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
Published: 1/14/2025