Symptoms and Signs of Postpartum Depression

Doctor's Notes on Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant form of clinical depression that occurs in some women soon after having a baby. The condition can be disabling and women may feel anxious, upset, alone, afraid, unloving toward their baby, and guilt for feeling this way.

Symptoms of postpartum depression can begin any time from 24 hours to a few months after delivery and include sadness, frequent crying, lack of pleasure or interest in activities that once gave pleasure, sleep disturbance, weight loss, loss of energy, agitation, anxiety, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, trouble concentrating or making decisions, thoughts of death or suicide, thoughts of homicide of the baby, decreased interest in sex, or feelings of rejection. Physical symptoms such as frequent headaches, chest pain, rapid heart beat, numbness, shakiness or dizziness, and mild shortness of breath may indicate postpartum anxiety, which is a separate disorder but may occur at the same time as postpartum depression.