Postpartum depression (PPD)
While the exact cause of PPD is unclear, the cause is believed to be a combination of physical and emotional factors. These may include factors such as hormonal changes and sleep deprivation. Risk factors include prior episodes of postpartum depression, bipolar disorder, a family history of depression, psychological stress, complications of childbirth, lack of support, or a drug use disorder. Diagnosis is based on a person's symptoms and at least one of those symptoms must be either low mood or loss of interest / pleasure in previously enjoyable activities. While most women experience a brief period of worry or unhappiness after delivery, postpartum depression should be suspected when symptoms are severe and last over two weeks
Other
Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that can affect women after childbirth. Mothers with postpartum depression experience feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that may make it difficult for them to complete daily care activities for themselves or for others. This report will discuss the epidemiology of postpartum depression, and explains the clinical presentation, diagnostic criteria, and proposed theories of what causes this disorder. The report will provide an outline of effective treatment modalities, and will also describe the differential diagnoses that may mimic this clinical picture, namely postpartum blues and other major psychiatric disorders.
