Symptoms
- I get angry so quickly.
- I can’t stop crying.
- I’m totally numb.
- I get so irritated with everyone, but especially myself.
- I worry constantly.
- This is so scary.
- I’m so ashamed.
- I want to run away.
- I just can’t slow down.
- Is this who I am?
- This guilt is overwhelming.
- I’m having very scary thoughts.
- I’m going to feel like this forever.
- I’m in a fog all the time.
- No one understands.
These are just some of the ways moms with PPD feel.
Prenatal and Postpartum Depression (PPD) describes a number of feelings and symptoms that may occur during the perinatal period—from pregnancy through the first year following childbirth. Having PPD does not mean you must feel depressed or "down." It is different in everyone it touches, but most share some or all of these symptoms:
Baby Blues |
Prenatal/Postpartum Depression or Anxiety |
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder |
Panic Disorder |
Psychosis* |
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder |
80% of new moms |
15-20% of new moms |
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Rare: 1-2 per 1000 |
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Begins in the 1st week after childbirth |
Onset anytime from pregnancy thru the 1st year after childbirth |
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Typical onset 2-3 days postpartum |
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May last a week or two, but will subside on its own |
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5% suicide rate, 4% infanticide rate |
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Symptoms |
Symptoms |
Symptoms |
Symptoms |
Symptoms |
Symptoms |
Weepiness |
Excessive Worry |
Intrusive, repetitive, persistent thoughts |
Periods of extreme anxiety |
Hallucinations |
Recurrent nightmares |
Sadness |
Difficulty Making decisions; feeling overwhelmed, can’t “Think Straight” |
Thoughts of harm coming to the baby |
Difficulty breathing, chest pain, feelings of choking or smothering |
Delusional Thinking |
Extreme Anxiety |
Anxiety |
Sleep difficulties-cannot/too much |
Tremendous sense of horror and disgust of these thoughts often accompanied by avoidance behaviors in order to cope (i.e. hiding knives) |
Hot/Cold flashes, shaking, numbness, palpitations |
Delirium, Mania |
Reliving past traumatic events (for example, childbirth, emotional, sexual or physical) |
Mood Instability |
Feelings of sadness, guilt, hopelessness, phobias |
Repetitive behaviors (counting, cleaning) |
Fears of dying, going crazy |
*Requires Immediate Medical Care |
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Lack of Concentration |
Physical symptoms/complaints without apparent cause |
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Restlessness, irritability |
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Discomfort or detachment around the baby |
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Excessive worry, including fear of more panic attacks |
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Changes in Appetite |
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Loss of Interest or Pleasure |
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Here's some great information from our friends at The Postpartum Stress Center
