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Postpartum depression (also postnatal depression) is a form of
major depression which can
affect women, and less frequently men, after childbirth. Although
up to 80% of postpartum women suffer from the 'Baby blues' (or
maternity blues) which is merely a mild and transitory form of
'moodiness' where symptoms typically last from a few hours to
several days, and include tearfulness, irritability, hypochondriasis,
sleeplessness, impairment of concentration, isolation and headache.
The maternity blues are not considered a postpartum depressive
disorder.
The
diagnostic criteria for postpartum depression (PPD) are the same
as for major depression, except that to distinguish PPD from the
mild, transitory baby (maternity) blues, the symptoms must be
present one month postpartum. Depression can also occur during
pregnancy (known as ante-natal depression). Postpartum depression
may occur up to one year after childbirth.
There are also other types of postpartum distress that do not
involve depression. For example, the mother may present with postpartum
anxiety and postpartum obsessive
compulsive disorder (OCD). Symptoms of postpartum OCD include
recurring intrusive thoughts, obsessive thoughts, avoidance behavior,
fears, anxiety, and depression.
Postpartum women may also experience post
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD includes two primary
elements: (1) experiencing or witnessing an event involving actual
or threatened danger to the self or others; and (2) responding
with intense distress, helplessness or panic. The body will also
work insufficiently, compared to its typical abilities.
Symptoms of birth-related PTSD may include:
 Obsessive
thoughts about the birth
Feelings
of panic when near the site where the birth occurred
Feelings
of numbness and detachment
Disturbing
memories of the birth experience
Nightmares
Flashbacks
Sadness,
fearfulness, anxiety or irritability
Studies
report prevalence rates from 5% to 25%, but methodological differences
among the studies make the actual prevalence rate unclear. Postpartum
depression ranges in severity from mild to suicidal.
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