Common Signs of Postpartum Depression
Some of the common signs of PPD show up right after birth, while others do not appear for several weeks or months and into the first year.
Early Warning Signs of PPD (Baby Blues Symptoms)
During the second and third weeks following pregnancy, it is common for new mothers to experience postpartum “baby blues.”
Symptoms of “baby blues” include:
- Anxiety
- Crying
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Tiredness
These are common feelings that often result from hormonal changes right after birth, such as decreases in estrogen and progesterone levels produced by the thyroid.
They do not necessarily point to a more severe type of postpartum depression. Though these symptoms can be challenging, they typically go away within a few weeks and do not require treatment.
The Office on Women’s Health recommends seeing a doctor if your “baby blues” last more than a few weeks.
Severe Signs of Postpartum Depression
Sometimes, these milder “baby blues” symptoms do not fade and instead intensify or worsen within three to four weeks following pregnancy.
When women experience increased or ongoing symptoms, this could be an indication of postpartum depression or even postpartum psychosis.
More severe symptoms of postpartum depression include:
- Excessive crying
- Panic attacks
- Loss of appetite
- Insomnia
- Loss of energy and motivation
- Withdrawal and isolation
- Severe mood swings
- Thoughts of harming the baby or yourself
Different Types of Postpartum Depression Symptoms
Postpartum depression symptoms can manifest in multiple ways and forms, affecting women emotionally, mentally, physically, and behaviorally.
Emotional Signs and Symptoms of Postpartum Depression
During postpartum depression, also known as perinatal depression, women most commonly experience emotional symptoms that affect their feelings.
These emotional symptoms include:
- Excessive and uncontrollable crying
- Persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness
- Feeling numb or empty
- Extremes in mood swings
- Irritability and restlessness
- Feeling anger and rage
- Becoming easily frustrated
- Feeling anxious and afraid
- Feeling guilt and shame
Mental Signs and Symptoms of Postpartum Depression
In addition to emotional symptoms, a woman with PPD may experience shifts in her thoughts and mentality.
Here are some of the mental symptoms of postpartum depression:
- Inability to concentrate
- Trouble remembering details
- Difficulty making decisions
- Doubting your ability to care for your baby
- Thinking life events are too overwhelming to handle
- Thinking you have failed or are inadequate, feelings of worthlessness
Physical Signs and Symptoms of Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression also manifests physically and creates symptoms that affect the body.
Physical symptoms of postpartum depression include:
- Changes in appetite, such as eating too much or too little
- Trouble sleeping
- Oversleeping
- Fatigue and loss of energy
- Muscle aches and pains
- Headaches
- Stomach pains
Behavioral Signs and Symptoms of Postpartum Depression
Women with postpartum depression also experience behavioral changes, to the point they may seem as though they are behaving like a different person.
Here are common behavioral symptoms of postpartum depression:
- Acting distant from partner or spouse
- Withdrawing from loved ones and social activities
- Inability to form a bond with the new baby
- Unwilling to care for the baby out of fear of harming them
- Not being able to enjoy time with friends and family members
- Not wanting to be alone with the baby
- Angry behavior toward others
Symptoms of Other Postpartum Mental Health Conditions
Postpartum depression is the most well-known postpartum mental health condition. However, several other postpartum mental health conditions can affect new parents.
Symptoms of other postpartum mental health conditions include:
- Postpartum anxiety: trouble sleeping, inability to relax or sit still, feeling excessive worry over the baby and their well-being, heart palpitations or shortness of breath
- Postpartum panic disorder: panic attacks, chest pain, racing heart and thoughts, intense fear of death or feelings of impending doom
- Postpartum OCD: obsessive or intrusive thoughts related to the baby’s safety, a need to keep the baby’s things organized and clean, compulsions such as checking on the baby constantly while they sleep
- Postpartum psychosis: extreme confusion, disorientation, delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, loss of touch with reality, thoughts of harming self or others
When Do Postpartum Symptoms Signal the Need for Help?
It is incredibly common for women to experience postpartum symptoms in the days and weeks after giving birth. But how do you know when the condition is severe enough to seek help?
You may need help for postpartum depression if you:
- Constantly feel sad or empty
- Spend a lot of time crying
- Are frequently irritable or angry
- Have symptoms that are growing worse over time
- Have a history of depression or mental illness that required treatment, such as bipolar disorder or other mood disorders
- Have a loss of interest in things you usually enjoy
- Have difficulty caring for your baby or completing daily tasks
- Have thoughts of suicide or harming your baby
Treatment for Postpartum Depression Symptoms
If you are grappling with a case of postpartum depression (PPD), you may need to seek medical intervention.
Treatment options available to help you manage this condition include:
- Medications: antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications can be helpful and are usually considered safe while breastfeeding.
- Therapy: individual psychotherapy (talk therapy) or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help women explore their triggers, learn new coping mechanisms, and more.
- Support groups: social supports that allow women to share their experiences with others, feel less alone, and find a community with other mothers.
More intensive treatment may be required in extreme cases of PPD. For instance, sometimes inpatient treatment is recommended for postpartum psychosis.
Find Postpartum Depression Symptom Relief
It is not always easy to know if you have postpartum or postnatal depression or if professional treatment is the best option for you.
Knowing the signs and symptoms of PPD can help you recognize the condition in yourself or a loved one and set you on the path to feeling better.
If you believe you have PPD or have already been diagnosed, consider talking to a therapist in your area to find relief from your symptoms.
Browse our directory of therapists at any time to find a therapist in your city who has been carefully vetted and screened as a quality professional.
Postpartum Depression Signs & Symptoms FAQs
How do you know if you have postpartum depression?
You may have postpartum depression if you experience symptoms for longer than two weeks and are having trouble taking care of your baby or yourself.
The only way to find out if you have postpartum depression is to get an official diagnosis from your healthcare provider or a mental health professional. They will likely have you participate in a depression screening.
How long do postpartum depression symptoms last?
If postpartum depression is left untreated, the symptoms can last several months and even years after the birth of the baby.
If treated, symptoms can resolve quickly for new moms, usually within several weeks or a few months.
Do you always need help if you have postpartum depression symptoms?
No, you do not always need help if you have postpartum depression symptoms, as it may be postpartum baby blues.
If your postpartum depression symptoms last more than two weeks or if you have any risk factors for PPD, it may be a good idea to seek professional help.
