Postpartum Mood Disorders
Having a baby is supposed to be one of the happiest times in a woman’s life. For many women, this is not the case. Pregnancy and motherhood can trigger real emotional distress and even mood disorders that range from the well-known “baby blues”, which affect an estimated 85% of women, to the much more severe postpartum psychosis, which affects an estimated 0.1% of women.
Many women feel guilty or ashamed of how they are feeling if they don’t ease into the traditional role of “motherhood.” With the surge of emotions and activity that surround a pregnancy and the birth of a new baby, it can be hard to separate moods brought on by fatigue and hormone fluctuations from an actual mood disorder.
It’s important to remember that you are not alone and that postpartum mood disorders are treatable. You haven’t done anything wrong and there is nothing wrong with your ability to be a good mother. Getting help is the best thing you can do for yourself and your baby.
Personal voices
“I was so excited when I found out I was pregnant. I always wanted to be a mother and was confident that I would be good at it. When the baby finally came I was overwhelmed with emotion. Instead of that emotion being positive and joyful, I felt crushed. I couldn’t get happy. I felt like the baby was such a burden. I felt lousy about my body, my life and my ability to be a mom. When I found out about postpartum mood disorders I was so relieved. I discovered that my feelings were the result of an illness, not a reflection of my ability to be a good mother.” – Maureen, 27
Types of postpartum mood disorders
The “baby blues”
This postpartum mood disorder usually begins in the third or fourth day after delivery and may include symptoms such as tearfulness, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, poor concentration, fearfulness, and emotional upset. These emotions may come and go throughout the day and the condition often disappears in about one to two weeks. For a few women, however, the condition may last longer and develop into a more serious mood or anxiety disorder.
Postpartum depression (Major Depressive Disorder with postpartum onset)
This condition is estimated to affect approximately 10-15% of women and often begins within 2-26 weeks after delivery. In addition to some of the classic symptoms of depression or anxiety, women may also experience extreme irritability, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and intrusive thoughts about harming their baby. This condition is more common in women who have experienced depression before their pregnancy but many women have their first episode after pregnancy.
Postpartum psychosis
This illness, which affects only about 1-2 in 1000 new mothers, is the most serious of the postpartum mood disorders. Onset is rapid, sudden, and very dramatic, often within days to weeks of delivery. It can be characterized by psychotic depression, mania, hallucinations, delusions, extreme confusion and suicidal thoughts. It is a serious condition that demands rapid treatment for the safety of the mother and her baby. It is more common in women with bipolar disorder.
Symptoms of a postpartum mood disorder
If you have been experiencing some of the following symptoms for more than two weeks after you have delivered your baby, you may be suffering from a postpartum mood disorder and should seek prompt professional assessment.
- Feeling sad most of the day
- Loss of interest or pleasure in all or most things
- Chronic exhaustion which does not go away even with a good night’s sleep
- Extreme irritability, frustration, or anger
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Trouble sleeping even when the baby is sleeping
- Loss of appetite or eating too much
- Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions
- Crying for no reason
- No interest or pleasure in your baby
- Overwhelming feelings of guilt, worthlessness or inadequacy
- Scary thoughts about harming your baby
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- No desire to be with friends or family
- Extreme worrying about your baby’s health
- Feeling restless or slowed down
- Suicidal thoughts or frequent thoughts of death
Postpartum mood disorders are very treatable. Effective treatments include:
- Psychotherapy (individual or family)
- Participation in postpartum support groups (e.g., Our Sisters’ Place)
- Antidepressant medications
The most important step to take is to become more knowledgeable about postpartum mood disorders and to seek help.
REMEMBER. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
For a list of places where you can get treatment and/or find a doctor, click here.
If you aren’t sure where to begin, you can learn more about your choices and figure out which treatments might be best for you. To learn more click here.
Print resources
- Behind the Smile: My Journey Out of Postpartum Depression by Marie Osmond. Time Warner, 2002.
- Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression by Brooke Shields. H.B. Fenn and Company, 2005.
- Overcoming Postpartum Depression and Anxiety by Linda Sabastian. Addicus Books, 1998.
- Pregnancy Blues: What Every Woman Needs to Know About Depression During Pregnancy by Shaila Kulkarni Misri, M.D. Delacorte Press, 2005.
- The Postpartum Husband: Practical Solutions for Living with Postpartum Depression by Karen R. Kleiman. Xlibris Corp., 2001.
- This Isn’t What I Expected: Overcoming Postpartum Depression by Karen R. Kleiman and Valerie Raskin. Bantam, 1994.
Online resources
Postpartum Support International
Information for moms, their partners and link to chat rooms
Online Postpartum Depression Support Group
Support groups
Support Groups for Postpartum Mood Disorders
Our Sisters’ Place
Mood Disorders Association of Ontario
215-40 Orchard View Boulevard
Toronto, ON
416-486-7432
1-866-363-MOOD (6663)
Mothers Offering Mothers Support, Ottawa
c/o Ottawa-Carlton Health Dept.
(613) 565-2467 ext: 410
Maternal Support Programs, Women’s Health Centre
St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Toronto, ON
(416) 530-6850
Reproductive Life Stages Program
Women’s College Hospital
76 Grenville Street Toronto, Ontario M5S 1B2
416-323-6230
email: rls@sw.ca