The birth of a child can be the most wonderful experience a new mom will have, but it also can be a time of conflicting emotions – excitement, fear, joy, sadness – lumped together and hitting in waves at inopportune times. These feelings are normal, often referred to as “Baby Blues,” but if they persist and intensify, that could be a sign you’ve slipped into Postpartum Depression.
Sadness, feelings of loneliness, despair, and unexplained anger may all be signs you are depressed, a mental disorder that affects millions of men, women, and children around the world. The American Psychiatric Association has defined depression as “a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease a person’s ability to function at work and at home.”
How Prevalent is Depression?
If you’re feeling signs of depression, you’re not alone. According to the World Health Organization, it’s a leading cause of disability worldwide and affects more than 264 million people. The U.S. National Institutes of Health states it’s more prevalent in women than men, or 5.5% to 3.2%, respectively, and may be due to biological sex differences. It’s important to point out that depression isn’t a sign of weakness or a condition to be stigmatized. Depression is a common mood disorder affecting how you think, feel, and handle daily activities such as work or chores around the house.
Baby Blues – Similar but Different signs
Many new moms experience what doctors call “Baby Blues” – crying spells, mood swings, trouble sleeping, and mild forms of anxiety. But it is different than Postpartum Depression and may only last a few days to a few weeks; anything longer may be signs of Postpartum Depression. Here are possible signs of Baby Blues after delivering your baby:
- Mood swings – Excitability, desire to self-harm, lack of motivation.
- Anxiety – This is how some new mom’s deal with stress after pregnancy.
- Sadness – When a person feels down, discouraged, disappointed.
- Irritability – Feelings of anger, even towards something trivial.
- Feeling overwhelmed – The inability to cope with life’s daily events.
- Crying – Shedding tears over her state of emotions.
- Reduced concentration – Unable to focus on even small tasks.
- Appetite problems – Not eating regularly, not enough, or gorges on unhealthy food items.
- Trouble sleeping – When a new mom feels overly protective of a newborn and can’t sleep regularly.
- Severe or depressed mood swings.
- Excessive crying.
- Trouble bonding with your newborn.
- Avoiding contact with family and friends.
- Eating more than normal or not having an appetite.
- Insomnia, not being able to sleep or sleeping too long.
- Loss of energy or overwhelming fatigue.
- Reduced pleasure and interest in once enjoyable activities.
- Strong anger and irritability.
- Concern about your parenting skills.
- Feelings of shame, guilt, worthlessness, or inadequacy.
- Diminished ability to concentrate, think clearly, or make choices.
- Experience serious panic attacks and anxiety.
- Thoughts of harming your infant or yourself.
- Recurring thoughts of suicide or death.
