After having a baby, there can be a lot of soul-searching. You may feel like a completely different person during different stages of Baby’s first year of life. But are your feelings normal? Could they be postpartum depression? Let’s take a look at some signs and symptoms that could indicate you’ve
Symptoms of postpartum depression:
According to Postpartum Support International (PSI), common symptoms of postpartum depression include:
- Feelings of anger, irritability and/or rage
- Lack of interest in the baby
- Appetite and sleep disturbance (too much or too little)
- Crying and sadness
- Feelings of guilt, shame or hopelessness
- Loss of interest, joy or pleasure in things you used to enjoy
- Possible thoughts of harming the baby or yourself
Keep in mind that postpartum depression can start during pregnancy and can also occur after a pregnancy loss. While these aren’t the only symptoms people experience, they are the most common.
For some folks, it’s hard to notice the change within. Your partner, family members or close friends may ask you about changes they’ve seen. Sometimes, this can also indicate that your feelings deserve more attention.
If you want to dig into your symptoms more thoroughly, you can always use a validated mental health screening tool like the Edinburgh or PHQ-9. These are typically available at routine postpartum or pediatric visits. However, you can also access them anytime from the Ovia Parenting app.
If you believe you may have symptoms of postpartum depression, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately. You can contact your OB or primary care provider or whoever you feel most comfortable talking with. There are many different ways to treat PPD, but it’s much easier to get through it when you have help. Up to 20% of new parents develop PPD, so you’re far from alone if you do. For more information, check out the types of support available through PSI.
Sources
- Postpartum Support International. “Perinatal Mental Health Conditions.” Postpartum Support International, October 18 2024. Web.
- M Sambrook Smith, L Cairns, L S W Pullen, C Opondo, Gracia Fellmeth, F Alderdice, “Validated tools to identify common mental disorders in the perinatal period: A systematic review of systematic reviews,” Journal of Affective Disorders, Vol 298, Part A, 2022, Pages 634-643, ISSN 0165-0327, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.11.011.
