Postpartum Depression
What is it?
With a fluctuation in hormones after birth, it’s not uncommon for mothers to feel waves of sadness, anxiety, and depression 2-3 days after birth. These are symptoms of baby blues. PP depression exasperates these symptoms and they go on a lot longer than the normal couple of days that baby blues last.
Who is at risk?
ANYONE! Mental illness has no criteria for its victims. No matter your ethnicity, race, or gender (yes, fathers can experience postpartum depression too!), mental illness can affect anyone. Those at higher risk include:
- History of depression or anxiety
- Single marital status
- Unplanned or unwanted pregnancy
- Low socioeconomic status
What Does Postpartum Depression Look Like?
- Depression or severe mood swings
- Crying often
- Difficulty bonding with your baby
- Withdrawing from relationships
- Loss of appetite or eating too much
- Sleep inconsistency
- Loss of energy
- Intense irritability
- Hopelessness or worthlessness
- Severe anxiety
- Thoughts of self-harm or harm to your baby
- Suicidal thoughts
If you need help, call the suicide hotline: 988
Other lines to call:
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
1-833-852-6262
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
Eating Disorder Hotline
1-888-375-7767