What is Postpartum Depression? 

Postpartum Depression (PPD), the most common complication of pregnancy in America, is a Perinatal Mood Disorder affecting women during and/or after pregnancy. Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) are a set of mental illnesses that can occur before, during and after pregnancy.  

THE FACTS:

• 1 in 7 postpartum women will experience depression.
• 20% of all women who have been pregnant will go on to suffer from a PMAD.
• 93% of those suffering do NOT have access to or get the necessary help.
• That is over 700,000 women a year in America alone - and only represents the population reporting their problem.
• Thus, the number of those suffering is, in fact much higher, estimated at 900,000 women a year.
• If undiagnosed or untreated, PPD does not get better with time and usually becomes worse .
• PPD is a mental illness, a medical problem, and like any other sickness, patients require specific treatment.

SYMPTOMS VARY AND MAY INCLUDE:

• Feelings of guilt, humiliation and shame
• Feeling unfit to be a mother
• Hopelessness
• Anger and irritability
• Loss of pleasure, joy and interest in activities that were once enjoyable
• Thoughts of self harm or harming the baby
• Suicidal ideation and/or attempts

HOW DO THE NUMBERS COMPARE TO THE ESTIMATED 900,000 WOMEN WHO SUFFER?

• ~253,000 new diagnoses of Invasive Breast Cancer (2017)
• ~330,000 women suffer a stroke (2014)
• More women suffer from PMADs each year than the combined number of new diagnoses in men and women of: Leukemia, Epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, to name only a few.

NOT THE BABY BLUES

• The “Baby Blues” are not PPD or a PMAD.
• In fact, most women with Baby Blues will not develop a PMAD
• Most women, 75-80%, experience this very common, temporary phase of mood changes, heightened emotions and adjustment after pregnancy
• Baby Blues are caused by postpartum hormonal shifts
• Symptoms usually resolve on their own by 4 weeks postpartum

RISK FACTORS

• Personal/Family History of PPD, Depression or Anxiety
• IVF/Infertility Treatments to conceive
• PMS or PMDD
• Complicated pregnancy
• Breastfeeding complications
• Birth Complications, for mother or baby
• Major life event
• Inadequate support system or community
• Inadequate childcare
• Marital issues
• Financial issues
• Mothers of multiples

It is imperative providers understand the risks and symptoms of PPD, ideally at the first visit or prior to pregnancy. PPD is a treatable PMAD that with proper care is temporary. Early intervention and comprehensive, individualized and peer support will optimize care and lead to better outcomes for women and families.