Depression and postpartum depression (PPD), two forms of clinical depression, share a number of symptoms. But there’s a difference between the two: Depression is unrelated to pregnancy and childbirth, while postpartum depression can occur during pregnancy or after the birth of your baby. Postpartum depression is usually diagnosed within a year after you give birth (which is known as the “postpartum period”), but can extend beyond that.
Whether or not postpartum depression is recognizably different from regular depression remains a topic of debate within the medical community. In general, most experts agree that certain characteristics distinguish PPD from depression that’s unrelated to childbirth.
In addition to the typical symptoms of depression – sleep and appetite disturbance, anxiety, weepiness, hopelessness, loss of concentration, loss of sexual interest, and social withdrawal, for instance – if you have postpartum depression you may also be experiencing the following:
- You’re sleep deprived
- You’re struggling with the transition to motherhood
- You’re hormonally unsteady
- You’re breastfeeding or weaning
- You’re experiencing worrisome or upsetting thoughts about your baby’s wellbeing and safety, or your ability to be a good mother
- You’re consumed with guilt about what’s supposed to be the “best time of your life”
It’s hard enough to struggle through a clinical depression, but when you’re doing so with an infant, a toddler, or a few children to care for, your situation may seem unbearable.
If needed, your healthcare provider will prescribe the same antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications for postpartum depression as for “regular” depression. But with PPD, experts also encourage supportive psychotherapy to address the specific needs of coming to terms with both your depression and your new role as a mom.
How long postpartum depression lasts depends on many factors, including life stressors and medical history. But with proper treatment, many moms find they feel better within a few months. For some women, however, the condition may persist for years after giving birth.
There are many reasons why PPD might persist in some people and not others, including a family history of depression or a traumatic birth experience. How soon you receive treatment is also a major factor in how long your PPD persists. The longer someone delays treatment for PPD, or doesn’t receive treatment at all, the more likely they are to experience depression long-term.
Postpartum depression affects about one in seven women, but it’s not the only postpartum mood disorder: Postpartum rage, postpartum anxiety, and postpartum psychosis are similar but separate perinatal mood and anxiety disorders that may require different forms of treatment.
If you recently had a baby and you think you’re depressed, there’s no shame in getting help. Reach out to your healthcare provider, who can help you treat your depression. If your provider doesn’t seem to understand what’s happening with you, or you feel dismissed in any way, find a good therapist who can walk you through these difficult days and help you heal. It can be hard sometimes to find the right therapist, but keep reaching out for professional help and talk with your friends and family until you find the support you need.
What’s the difference between the baby blues and postpartum depression?
The baby blues, also known as the postpartum blues, are feelings of sadness, exhaustion, and overwhelm following the birth of a baby. Symptoms of the baby blues typically occur two to three days after giving birth and subside in about two weeks.
Postpartum depression is a more severe condition that persists beyond the first couple weeks after giving birth and can cause several other symptoms including:
- Changes in appetite, like eating too little or too much
- Inability to sleep, even when exhausted, or sleeping too much
- Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Difficulty concentrating
- Restlessness
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Extreme anxiety
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
If you’re still experiencing mood swings, feelings of sadness or overwhelm more than two weeks after the birth of your baby, reach out to your healthcare provider. Proper treatment for postpartum depression can help you manage your symptoms and feel better.
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