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| What is Postpartum Mood Disorder? |
Pregnancy and childbirth are major life changes for women and spouses. The adjustment to
new parenthood can sometimes be difficult. Some irritability, anxiety, and even sadness over
changes in lifestyle can be expected as parents settle into a new routine of caring for an
infant. However, if symptoms of depression or anxiety become overwhelming or linger for
longer than a week or two, a mother may have a form of postpartum mood disorder.
Approximately 15-20% of new mothers experience symptoms of prenatal or postpartum
depression and/or anxiety.
Baby Blues affects up to 80% of women after childbirth and is usually characterized by mild
symptoms, such as feeling overly emotional, some crying, impatience, irritability, and
sometimes mild anxiety. The baby blues come on quickly, often in the first week, and
disappear just as quickly within a week or two.
Postpartum Mood Disorders affect about 15-20% of mothers. Symptoms can occur within a
few days of delivery or anytime in the first year postpartum. They fall under a wide spectrum
of mood changes that can range from anxiety to depression and can include uncontrollable
crying, panic attacks, feeling overwhelmed or hopeless, disturbing worries, or intrusive
thoughts of harm to self or baby. For a more complete list, see Symptoms.
Changes in mood can happen immediately after coming home with the baby, after a few
weeks of disturbed sleep patterns, or after other big life changes, such as returning to work or
weaning the baby from breastfeeding. Some women notice symptoms before they even leave
the hospital. Women who describe themselves as having a hard time with change and liking
routines sometimes have a harder time adjusting to being a new parent and may be more
likely to develop symptoms. Mothers who are breastfeeding sometimes notice onset when
they begin to wean the baby, while a very small percentage of mothers notice feeling worse
while breastfeeding. See Overview for a more complete explanation of the mood
disturbances that can occur in the perinatal period.
Whatever form of postpartum anxiety or depression the mother is suffering from, it often
leads to feelings of shame, guilt, and isolation.
It is important to remember that:
• You are not alone
• You will get better
• It is not your fault
Postpartum mood disorders respond favorably and quickly to prompt treatment.
Postpartum Psychosis is an extremely rare but serious complication. Only about 1 out of
1000 mothers develop psychosis, and it is usually a family member or friend who realizes
something is wrong rather than the mother. A change in mood and personality usually begins
immediately. A mother with psychosis may have most of the symptoms of postpartum
depression but also seem disconnected from reality and will suffer from one or more of the
following:
• severe insomnia (cannot sleep)
• agitation
• unusual behavior or feelings
• hallucinations and/or delusions
• irrationality
POSTPARTUM PSYCHOSIS IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY AND
REQUIRES IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION.
Who is affected by postpartum mood disorders?
Postpartum illnesses cross all cultural and social lines. Anyone can develop symptoms of
postpartum depression and/or anxiety. Symptoms may begin during pregnancy, increasing the
risk for further mood complications after delivery. Other risk factors include previous or
family history of depression, traumatic birth experience (such as emergency C-Section),
miscarriage, sudden life changes beyond the pregnancy (for example, recent move, financial
worries, problems with close relationships, decision to leave or return to work), or a
terminated pregnancy.
What causes postpartum mood disorders?
The exact cause is not known. It is believed to be triggered by a variety of factors, and it can
be different for each woman. Hormonal changes and an individual’s response to these
changes are believed to be one cause, while high stress levels, isolation or lack of social
support, previous history of mental illness, predisposition to anxiety, and the effects of sleep
deprivation are other factors. Women who have had a prior case of postpartum depression
are more likely to experience it in subsequent pregnancies, and symptoms may become
progressively worse in each pregnancy if not treated. See Treatment Options for more
information on how and where to get help.
new parenthood can sometimes be difficult. Some irritability, anxiety, and even sadness over
changes in lifestyle can be expected as parents settle into a new routine of caring for an
infant. However, if symptoms of depression or anxiety become overwhelming or linger for
longer than a week or two, a mother may have a form of postpartum mood disorder.
Approximately 15-20% of new mothers experience symptoms of prenatal or postpartum
depression and/or anxiety.
Baby Blues affects up to 80% of women after childbirth and is usually characterized by mild
symptoms, such as feeling overly emotional, some crying, impatience, irritability, and
sometimes mild anxiety. The baby blues come on quickly, often in the first week, and
disappear just as quickly within a week or two.
Postpartum Mood Disorders affect about 15-20% of mothers. Symptoms can occur within a
few days of delivery or anytime in the first year postpartum. They fall under a wide spectrum
of mood changes that can range from anxiety to depression and can include uncontrollable
crying, panic attacks, feeling overwhelmed or hopeless, disturbing worries, or intrusive
thoughts of harm to self or baby. For a more complete list, see Symptoms.
Changes in mood can happen immediately after coming home with the baby, after a few
weeks of disturbed sleep patterns, or after other big life changes, such as returning to work or
weaning the baby from breastfeeding. Some women notice symptoms before they even leave
the hospital. Women who describe themselves as having a hard time with change and liking
routines sometimes have a harder time adjusting to being a new parent and may be more
likely to develop symptoms. Mothers who are breastfeeding sometimes notice onset when
they begin to wean the baby, while a very small percentage of mothers notice feeling worse
while breastfeeding. See Overview for a more complete explanation of the mood
disturbances that can occur in the perinatal period.
Whatever form of postpartum anxiety or depression the mother is suffering from, it often
leads to feelings of shame, guilt, and isolation.
It is important to remember that:
• You are not alone
• You will get better
• It is not your fault
Postpartum mood disorders respond favorably and quickly to prompt treatment.
Postpartum Psychosis is an extremely rare but serious complication. Only about 1 out of
1000 mothers develop psychosis, and it is usually a family member or friend who realizes
something is wrong rather than the mother. A change in mood and personality usually begins
immediately. A mother with psychosis may have most of the symptoms of postpartum
depression but also seem disconnected from reality and will suffer from one or more of the
following:
• severe insomnia (cannot sleep)
• agitation
• unusual behavior or feelings
• hallucinations and/or delusions
• irrationality
POSTPARTUM PSYCHOSIS IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY AND
REQUIRES IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION.
Who is affected by postpartum mood disorders?
Postpartum illnesses cross all cultural and social lines. Anyone can develop symptoms of
postpartum depression and/or anxiety. Symptoms may begin during pregnancy, increasing the
risk for further mood complications after delivery. Other risk factors include previous or
family history of depression, traumatic birth experience (such as emergency C-Section),
miscarriage, sudden life changes beyond the pregnancy (for example, recent move, financial
worries, problems with close relationships, decision to leave or return to work), or a
terminated pregnancy.
What causes postpartum mood disorders?
The exact cause is not known. It is believed to be triggered by a variety of factors, and it can
be different for each woman. Hormonal changes and an individual’s response to these
changes are believed to be one cause, while high stress levels, isolation or lack of social
support, previous history of mental illness, predisposition to anxiety, and the effects of sleep
deprivation are other factors. Women who have had a prior case of postpartum depression
are more likely to experience it in subsequent pregnancies, and symptoms may become
progressively worse in each pregnancy if not treated. See Treatment Options for more
information on how and where to get help.
A Project of the Center for Perinatal Emotional Wellness, Inc.