Trillian's Depression Page

Postpartum Disorders

Post-partum depression is a severe form of "baby blues," mild sadness and anxiety that some two-thirds of new mothers experience. A few new moms -- one in 1000 -- suffer a complete break with reality, post-partum psychosis.

Postpartum depression usually develops between one and three months after childbirth and may last up to a year. The symptoms are typical of depression, although they may take on some coloration from the mother's concern about her baby. Depressed mothers are tearful, anxious, and easily upset, tired and yet unable to sleep well. They have many hypochondriacal symptoms. They worry intensely about the baby's health, yet feel guilty about their own inadequacy and lack of love for the baby. They need constant reassurance, respond overanxiously to the baby's cries, and repeatedly ask for help in small matters. Some even have fears that they will harm the baby, although that very rarely happens. Often they are ashamed of their feelings and reluctant to talk about any symptoms except physical ones.

Postpartum 'blues' or transitory minor affective disorder:

The name most commonly used to describe the weeping and emotional instability which occurs during the first postpartum week. Descriptions of symptoms include frequent and prolonged crying, irritability, poor sleep, mood changes and a sense of vulnerability which may continue for several weeks.

Physical Symptoms:

• Lack of Sleep
• No Energy
• Food Cravings or Loss of Appetite
• Feeling Tired Even after Sleeping

Mental States:

• Anxiety and Excessive Worry
• Confusion
• Great Concern over Physical Changes
• Confusion and Nervousness
• Feeling, "I'm not myself; this isn't me"
• Lack of Confidence
• Sadness
• Feeling Overwhelmed

Behavioral Reactions:

• Crying more than Usual
• Hyperactivity or Excitability
• Oversensitivity
• Feelings Hurt Easily
• Irritability
• Lack of Feeling for the Baby

Chronic Depressive Syndrome or Moderate Depression Disorder:

More debilitating than the "blues" and more common than postpartum psychotic reactions, this still poorly defined syndrome is characterized by despondency, tearfulness, feelings of inadequacy, guilt, anxiety, irritability and fatigue. Researchers suggest that women experiencing this form of depression rarely seek treatment and are only recently being studied.

Physical Symptoms:

• Headaches
• Numbness, Tingling in Limbs
• Chest Pains, Heart Palpitations
• Hyperventilating

Mental States:

• Despondency or Despair
• Feelings of Inadequacy
• Inability to Cope
• Hopelessness
• Over-concern for Baby's Health
• Impaired Concentration or Memory
• Loss of Normal Interests
• Thoughts of Suicide
• Bizarre or Strange Thoughts

Behavioral Reactions:

• Extreme Behavior
• Panic Attacks
• Hostile
• New Fears of Phobias
• Hallucinations
• Nightmares
• Extreme Guilt
• No Feelings for Baby
• Over-concern for Baby
• Feeling "out of control"
• Feeling like "you are going crazy"

Postpartum Psychosis or Puerperal Psychosis:

A relatively rare disorder following childbirth with symptoms similar to general psychotic reactions: confusion, fatigue, agitation, alterations in mood, feelings of hopelessness and shame, delusions or auditory hallucinations, hyperactivity and rapid speech or mania.

Physical Symptoms:

• Refusal to Eat
• Inability to Stop Activity
• Frantic Excessive Energy

Mental States:

• Extreme Confusion
• Loss of Memory
• Incoherence
• Bizarre Hallucinations

Behavioral Reactions:

1. Suspiciousness
2. Irrational Statements
3. Preoccupation with Trivia

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