How Is PPD Diagnosed?
Postpartum depression presents different signs and symptoms that may change throughout the course of the disorder. Because the symptoms are numerous and broad, it can be difficult at first to achieve a diagnosis.
There is no single diagnostic tool or test that physicians use to reach a postpartum depression diagnosis.
Instead, doctors will diagnose a mother with PPD by:
- Assessing her signs and symptoms
- Interviewing the mother
- Performing initial psychological screenings
- Testing for other medical conditions or health problems
In addition to the diagnostic process used by the family doctor, new mothers can seek the support of a mental health professional. They can conduct a psychological assessment and reach a diagnosis.
The Postpartum Depression Diagnostic Process
There are several steps in the process of being diagnosed with postpartum depression.
Taking part in this process helps rule out any other mental health problems and ensures a correct diagnosis.
Watch for Early Signs and Symptoms of Postpartum Depression
The first critical step in reaching a postpartum depression diagnosis is taking note of the initial signs and symptoms that you experience.
Recording and documenting details about symptom types and their progression will help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition.
Pay close attention to any emotional, mental, physical, or behavioral symptoms you experience. Record the dates when the symptoms first started.
Keep a journal to note these symptoms and any other characteristics, such as shifts in sleeping and eating patterns.
Visit Your Doctor
Once the initial signs and symptoms of postpartum depression appear, contact a physician immediately.
Doctors will look at your past medical history, such as a history or family history of mental illness, depression, or anxiety.
Finally, the doctor will ask about other medical conditions that may cause symptoms of depression, anxiety, and fatigue. These common PPD symptoms may actually be the result of another mental condition like bipolar disorder or major depression.
Get Testing for Medical and Mental Health Conditions
Doctors will want to ensure that symptoms do not result from thyroid dysfunction or changes in your hormone levels.
After childbirth, many women develop an underactive thyroid condition called postpartum thyroiditis. This condition causes similar symptoms to postpartum depression, like anxiety, fatigue, irritability, and an inability to concentrate.
Doctors may perform a blood test to determine if a thyroid condition is the underlying cause of postpartum depression symptoms.
They may also look for other medical conditions, such as:
- A vitamin deficiency
- Malnutrition
- Other physical ailments
Once the doctors have ruled out other medical conditions, they can move toward reaching a postpartum depression diagnosis.
Fill Out Postpartum Depression Screenings and Questionnaires
After ruling out other medical conditions, doctors may perform psychological screening tests or questionnaires to assess the extent of the PPD symptoms.
These questionnaires look at the recent symptoms and behaviors to ensure a correlation between the symptoms and childbirth.
If the questionnaire or screening test results point to known signs and symptoms of postpartum depression, a doctor may reach a diagnosis at this stage.
There is not one ideal screening tool used for postpartum depression. However, questionnaires specific to PPD symptoms are available online for patients and doctors to use to screen their patients.
The most common of these screening questionnaires are:
- Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS): a series of 10 short statements that ask you to rate how you have been feeling over the past 7 days.
- 2-Question Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2): a short survey that asks you to answer how you have been feeling over the past 2 weeks.
- 9-Question Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9): an extension of the PHQ-2 if you are exhibiting signs of depression.
Get Further Mental Health Testing
If a patient’s symptoms align with postpartum depression, a mental health professional can use the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
The DSM-5 is a mental health disorder classification and diagnostic tool that helps provide an official postpartum depression psychiatric diagnosis. This tool allows the patient to understand their condition more fully.
A postpartum depression diagnosis reached using the DSM-5 also helps families. With a medically backed diagnosis, insurance providers will reimburse families for their medical expenses.
What to Expect During Postpartum Depression Diagnostic Tests
Getting testing for postpartum depression may be intimidating, but the process itself should be somewhat simple and comfortable.
Remember, to maximize your diagnostic experience, be open and honest with your physician about your symptoms.
Here is what you can expect during your PPD diagnostic tests:
- Initial screening: This takes the form of an interview, during which your health care provider asks you questions about your symptoms and their severity.
- Questionnaires: You may also be given written questionnaires, such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, to complete.
- Review of medical history: Your physician will want to know if you have a personal history of depression or a family history of depression. They will also likely ask if you have experienced any recent stressful life events.
- Physical exam: Your physician may examine you physically to determine if any other health conditions are present.
- Discussion and follow-up: At this point, you can discuss with your physician how they would like your treatment to progress and what sort of follow-up you should seek.
Diagnosing the Type of Postpartum Depression
Physicians and mental health professionals need to distinguish between the different types of postpartum depression to reach an accurate diagnosis.
Each type of postpartum depression presents its unique risk factors, signs, and symptoms, so the progression and treatment can also be different.
In addition, there are other mental health conditions women can experience after birth that are related but aren’t considered PPD, such as anxiety.
Types of postpartum mental health conditions include:
- Postpartum baby blues: A mild form of PPD that lasts no more than a couple of weeks after giving birth. It is not typically severe enough to require treatment.
- Postpartum anxiety: A type of postpartum condition that leads to excessive worrying and fear, especially around the baby and their well-being.
- Postpartum OCD: A type of postpartum health condition that causes intrusive thoughts and compulsions that revolve around the baby and their well-being.
- Postpartum panic disorder: A postpartum health condition that leads to frequent and debilitating panic attacks.
- Postpartum psychosis: As the most extreme type of PPD, mothers with this condition can have hallucinations and delusions and may be at risk of harming themselves or their baby.
What Happens After a Postpartum Depression Diagnosis?
After you have been officially diagnosed with PPD, you and your doctor can decide on a course of action and depression treatment for you.
Common treatments for postpartum depression include:
- Medications: antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications can be beneficial to women with PPD and are generally considered safe while breastfeeding.
- Therapy: psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, as well as various types of behavioral therapy, can be effective when treating postpartum depression.
- Support groups: can be in person or online, providing new parents with social support and a place to share their experiences and talk to others who can relate to what they are going through.
The treatments that are best for you will depend on the severity and type of PPD that you have.
For instance, most cases of postpartum baby blues will require no treatment, while severe cases of postpartum psychosis may require inpatient treatment.
Signs You May Need a Postpartum Depression Screening
When you notice the signs below, visit your health care provider or family physician.
Signs you may need a postpartum depression screening include:
- You are having difficulty taking care of your baby or yourself
- You are having trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- You are experiencing feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
- You have experienced a loss of interest in your usual hobbies or activities
- You are experiencing frequent and severe mood swings
- You have been in a low and depressed mood much of the time since giving birth
Get Help for a Postpartum Depression Diagnosis
If you are a new mom who has recently been diagnosed with PPD, be proud knowing that you have taken the first step toward feeling like yourself again.
An excellent next step is to find a quality mental health care provider in your area to provide you with postpartum therapy and counseling.
You can browse our directory of therapists at any time to find a quality one near you. All therapists are carefully vetted for quality and licensing before being listed on our website.
Postpartum Depression FAQs
How can I prepare for a postpartum depression screening?
You should not have to prepare for your postpartum depression screening. But it can be helpful to write down your symptoms and any questions.
You may also want to take some time to think about how you have been feeling and what you would like to talk about during the screening.
When do you need to get tested for postpartum depression?
You should be tested for postpartum depression a few weeks after you give birth. You will likely be given the screening as part of your pregnancy and labor follow-up.
If you have any concerns or were not given a postpartum depression screening during your follow-up care, make an appointment to have this done as soon as possible. This is especially important if you are at an increased risk for PPD.
What are the risks of postpartum depression screening?
Postpartum depression screenings are considered safe and beneficial, but there is always a small risk of being misdiagnosed.
You should also be aware of the emotional impact that a positive diagnosis can come with and the potential for stigma from anyone you choose to share your diagnosis with.
My test results describe perinatal depression. Is that the same as postpartum depression?
Perinatal depression is slightly different from postpartum depression, as it refers to depression that happens during pregnancy and in the first four weeks postpartum.
Postpartum depression, on the other hand, does not include pregnancy and is considered more severe and long-lasting than perinatal depression, typically encompassing the entire first year after giving birth.
