Managing Postpartum Depression: What Is Postpartum Depression

Content provided by Healthwise

What is postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression is more than a temporary feeling of sadness or lack of energy—it is a medical condition that develops some time in the first several months after childbirth. It seems to be triggered by the normal hormonal changes that occur after pregnancy. These hormonal changes are especially likely to lead to postpartum depression if you've had depression before; have poor support from your partner, friends, or family; or are under significant additional stress.²

You probably have postpartum depression if you've had five or more of the following symptoms (including at least one of the first two symptoms) for most of each day over the past 2 weeks:²

1. Depressed mood—tearfulness, hopelessness, and feeling empty inside, possibly with severe anxiety
2. A significant loss of pleasure in either all or almost all of your daily activities
3. Appetite and weight change—usually a drop in your appetite and weight, but sometimes the opposite
4. Sleep problems—usually insomnia, even when your baby is sleeping
5. Noticeable changes in how you walk and talk—usually restlessness, but sometimes sluggishness
6. Extreme fatigue or loss of energy
7. Feeling worthless or having inappropriate guilt
8. Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
9. Thinking a lot about death or suicide

If you think you have postpartum depression after reviewing this list, print the list and circle those symptoms that apply to you, then take the list to your health professional.

Continue to Why treat postpartum depression?

Return to Managing postpartum depression

E-mail This | Print This Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Last updated:	June 30, 2006
Author:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Reviewed By:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine, Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry
Editors:	Renée Spengler, RN, BSN, Pat Truman