Are You Going Through Postpartum Depression?

Are you experiencing baby blues? Are you finding it difficult after childbirth? Has the pregnancy left you feeling unhappy or scared?

It’s normal to experience the “baby blues,” as they are commonly known, during this time, but these feelings tend to subside within a week or two. However, for some women, these feelings can be more severe and long-lasting, resulting in depression, anxiety, and worry. Many experience feelings of sadness, mood swings, crying spells, and stress after giving birth. These emotions often arise due to dramatic hormonal changes

Symptoms of postpartum depression may include:

• Depressed mood or severe mood swings
• Crying too much
• Difficulty bonding with your baby
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Loss of appetite or eating much more than usual
• Inability to sleep, called insomnia, or sleeping too much
• Overwhelming tiredness or loss of energy
• Less interest and pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
• Intense irritability and anger
• Fear that you're not a good mother
• Hopelessness
• Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt or inadequacy
• Reduced ability to think clearly, concentrate or make decisions
• Restlessness
• Severe anxiety and panic attacks
• Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
• Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

Studies show that new fathers can experience postpartum depression, too. They may feel sad, tired, overwhelmed, anxious, or have changes in their usual eating and sleeping patterns. These are the same symptoms that mothers with postpartum depression experience.