Although having a baby can be an exciting and life-changing milestone, for some new parents, the experience can bring on intense sadness, anxiety, loneliness, and other emotions. These may be symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD), a type of depression that kicks in during the first year after childbirth.
If you think you may have PPD, you’re not alone. PPD affects about 13 percent of Americans, making it one of the most common health issues affecting pregnant women. Here’s an overview of symptoms and potential complications to watch for, and when and how to get help.
While most people who’ve given birth encounter what’s known as the “baby blues” — tearfulness, mood swings, and sleep issues caused by a dramatic fluctuation in hormones after delivery — PPD is different, says Nona Nichols, MD, a consultation-liaison psychiatrist at the Center for Adult Behavioral Health at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
“It can start like the baby blues but will linger after one to two weeks,” Dr. Nichols says. “It involves feelings of depression and anxiety that interfere with a woman’s ability to care for herself and her baby.
The symptoms of PPD are similar to those of major depression, says Nancy Byatt, DO, a perinatal psychiatrist and a physician-scientist at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School in Worcester, where she focuses on women’s mental health, specifically in pregnancy and postpartum. “You have low energy, trouble finding motivation to do things, trouble sleeping or eating. People can also feel hopeless and helpless,” she says.
Common symptoms of PPD include:
Feeling sad or depressed
Feeling fatigued or lethargic
A loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities you used to enjoy
Difficulty thinking, focusing, or making decisions
Changes in appetite or not eating at all
Loss of motivation
Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or guilt
Crying seemingly without much cause
A lack of interest in the baby, not feeling bonded with the baby, or feeling overly anxious around or about the baby
Worries about being a bad mother or harming the baby or yourself
Thoughts of death or suicide
“There are so many good treatment options [for PPD], and getting the support you need as soon as possible will make a world of difference, both for you and your baby,” Nichols says. If left untreated, PPD can lead to serious complications for parents, babies, and their families, including the following.
Worsening PPD Symptoms
Some new parents may have trouble tending to their own basic needs, such as eating nutritious food and getting enough exercise and sleep. This can turn into a vicious cycle — a lack of self-care in these areas can exacerbate symptoms of PPD, such as low self-worth, feelings of inadequacy, and intense worrying, says Dr. Byatt.
Substance Abuse
Research suggests some new parents are more likely to turn to substances, specifically alcohol and cannabis, to cope with their symptoms. Substance abuse can have negative effects on both the person and their families, potentially leading to personal health issues, a disconnect between parent and child, and developmental problems for the child.
Issues Bonding With the Baby
Bonding between mother and baby shouldn’t be taken lightly, as it forms the foundation for the child’s sense of security and attachment. Research suggests mothers going through PPD may experience impaired bonding, which can have several repercussions as the baby gets older, including higher levels of stress during their toddler years and an increased risk of behavioral problems in early childhood.
Developmental Delays for the Baby
PPD can affect your baby’s social and emotional development, too. Researchers have found that babies whose mothers had PPD were more likely to have developmental delays in areas like motor or language skills compared with their counterparts whose mothers did not have PPD.
Pay attention to how you or a loved one who recently had a baby is feeling or behaving, Nichols says. Issues like lingering sadness, depressed mood, frequent crying, worries about breastfeeding, and feeling like an inadequate parent should all be a cause for concern, Nichols and Byatt say.
Here are some signs that it’s time to seek professional help by talking to your family doctor, ob-gyn, or your child’s pediatrician.
You have a depressed mood for most of the day, every day, for at least two weeks.
You have a loss of interest or pleasure in most activities for most of the day, every day, for at least two weeks.
Your symptoms are debilitating and interrupt your ability to function normally.
You feel anxiety, panic, guilt, hopelessness, or worthlessness.
You have trouble thinking, focusing, or coping with everyday situations.
You’re having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.
You have repeated thoughts of death or suicide.
PPD is a common emotional challenge for new moms, often involving symptoms like intense sadness, anxiety, and changes in appetite or sleep.
Early identification of PPD is crucial; pay attention to persistent symptoms such as sad or depressed mood and lack of interest in activities, especially symptoms that last for at least two weeks.
Seek professional help for PPD right away to improve your chances of effective treatment and reduce the risk of complications.
