What is the difference between postpartum depression and depression

Your doctor may be able to prescribe the appropriate therapy and make recommendations in advance. You may also be able to reduce your chances of developing postpartum depression by following these tips:. A new baby in the house changes family dynamics and alters sleep patterns. Report symptoms to your doctor right away. Early treatment can help you recover faster. The most severe form of postpartum depression is postpartum psychosis.

Postpartum psychosis is a rare occurrence. Psychosis is more likely if you have a history of mood disorders. Postpartum psychosis is rare. Often, postpartum psychosis is associated with bipolar illness. The earliest symptoms are restlessness, irritability, and insomnia. These could easily be overlooked as baby blues or even sleep deprivation. For example, you could hear a voice telling you to harm your baby or feel that your skin is crawling with bugs.

Delusions are irrational or grandiose ideas or feelings of persecution despite evidence to the contrary. For example, you may believe people are plotting against you.

Delusions can also revolve around your baby. Postpartum psychosis is a severe, life-threatening emergency. The risk of hurting yourself or your baby is real. If you or someone close to you exhibits these symptoms after giving birth, seek immediate medical attention. Postpartum psychosis is treatable. It usually requires hospitalization and antipsychotic medication. Learn more about postpartum psychosis ». Several medications are used to treat psychosis. They may be used alone or in combination and include:.

These medications can help control your symptoms and keep you stabilized. ECT uses electrical currents to trigger chemical changes in the brain. As you recover, your medications may need some adjusting. Postpartum depression gets more attention, but postpartum anxiety is more common. It affects more than 1 in 6 women after childbirth. Sometimes, those feelings cause anxiety that interferes with everyday life.

Common symptoms include episodes of hyperventilation and panic attacks. Hyperventilation occurs when you breathe so quickly and deeply that you run low on carbon dioxide. While postpartum anxiety may go away on its own, it could also worsen.

Anxiety can be treated with antianxiety medications and therapy. Learn more about postpartum anxiety ». You likely want to raise your baby in a healthy environment, and you might feel pressure to have everything perfect. But the pressure can sometimes blossom into obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD. About 1 to 3 percent of childbearing women develop OCD. It usually starts within a week of delivery. If you have postpartum OCD, you might engage in ritualistic behaviors related to those thoughts.

These are a few examples:. You may not be able to control these behaviors. As with new mothers, these feelings are normal in men and tend to fade away as everyone makes the transition. Men can also develop a type of postpartum depression, called paternal postnatal depression. Symptoms of depression are similar in men and women, but they may come on more gradually in fathers. That can make them harder to recognize. Men are less likely to report symptoms of depression, but estimates say up to 25 percent of fathers have feelings of depression in the first year postpartum.

First-time fathers tend to have a higher level of anxiety in the weeks following a birth. Researchers theorize it may have something to do with changes in testosterone and other hormone levels.

It may be related to lack of sleep, stress, and the changing family dynamics. Fathers may be at higher risk of postpartum depression if their partner has depression. Another risk factor is having previous depression or other mood disorder. Mention any signs of depression, however small. Fathers should also try to get a support system in place. This could involve arranging for childcare, joining a depression support group, or spending time out with friends.

Like new mothers, new fathers need to maintain a nutritious diet, exercise daily, and get plenty of rest. Depression can be treated with antidepressant medications, either alone or with therapy.

In cases where both parents show signs of depression, couples counseling or family counseling may be good options. What is postpartum depression, and how can women who experience it get help?

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Learn about its symptoms, causes, treatment, and more. Light therapy can improve symptoms of depression by giving you a dose of light you may be missing. Find out all about light therapy and depression. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. What are the symptoms of postpartum depression? You sleep too much. You have various unexplained aches, pains, or illnesses. Your moods change suddenly and without warning. You feel out of control.

To be diagnosed with peripartum depression, symptoms must begin during pregnancy or within four weeks following delivery. Many women with peripartum depression also experience symptoms of anxiety. One study found that nearly two-thirds of women with peripartum depression also had an anxiety disorder. While there is no specific diagnostic test for peripartum depression, it is a real illness that should be taken seriously.

Any pregnant woman or new mother who experiences the symptoms of peripartum depression should seek evaluation by a medical professional — an internal medicine doctor or an OB-GYN, who can make referrals to a psychiatrist or other mental health professional.

Assessment should include a psychiatric evaluation and a medical evaluation to rule out physical problems that may have symptoms similar to depression such as thyroid problems or vitamin deficiencies. Women are at increased risk of depression during or after pregnancy if they have previously experienced or have a family history of depression or other mood disorders, if they are experiencing particularly stressful life events in addition to the pregnancy, or if they do not have the support of family and friends.

Research suggests that rapid changes in sex and stress hormones and thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy and after delivery have a strong effect on moods and may contribute to peripartum depression. Other factors include physical changes related to pregnancy, changes in relationships and at work, worries about parenting and lack of sleep.

New fathers can also experience symptoms of peripartum depression. Symptoms may include fatigue and changes in eating or sleeping. Younger fathers, those with a history of depression and fathers with financial difficulties are at increased risk of experiencing depression. Many women may suffer in silence, dismissing their struggles as a normal part of pregnancy and childbirth and fail to seek care. Treatment for depression during pregnancy is essential.

Greater awareness and understanding can lead to better outcomes for women and their babies. Like other types of depression, peripartum depression can be managed with psychotherapy talk therapy , medication, lifestyle changes and supportive environment or a combination of these. Women who are pregnant or nursing should discuss the risks and benefits of medication with their doctors.

In general, the risk of birth defects to the unborn baby are low. APA guidelines for treating women with major depressive disorder who are pregnant or breastfeeding recommend psychotherapy without medication as a first-line treatment when the depression or anxiety is mild.

For women with moderate or severe depression or anxiety, antidepressant medication should be considered as a primary treatment. With proper treatment, most new mothers find relief from their symptoms. Women who are treated for peripartum depression should continue treatment even after they feel better.

If treatment is stopped too soon, symptoms can recur. Other suggestions for helping to cope with peripartum depression include resting as much as you can sleep when your baby sleeps and make time to go out or visit friends.

Strong support from partners, family and friends is very important. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at TALK for free and confidential emotional support—they talk about more than just suicide. Feeling guilty and blaming oneself when things go wrong, and worrying and feeling panicky for no good reason are signs of anxiety in the peripartum period. Bipolar illness can emerge during pregnancy or the postpartum period. Risk factors include a previous mood disorder and family history of mood disorders.

Treatment can include mood stabilizers and antipsychotic medications 9 along with therapy. It often takes time to adapt to becoming a new parent. Looking after a small baby can be stressful and exhausting. There are things you can do to help you keep well such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle and having someone you can talk to and turn to for support.

Going to antenatal classes and making friends with other pregnant women or new parents can also be helpful. If you are pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant, talk to a GP or your mental health team if:. You can also talk to a midwife, who can support you or refer you to specialist mental health services if needed. If you have had a mental health problem while pregnant, your doctor should arrange for you to be seen regularly in the first few weeks after birth.

The mental health team, maternity team and GP will work closely with you during your pregnancy and after you have given birth. Postnatal depression is often misunderstood and there are many myths surrounding it.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists website has more information about postnatal depression. Page last reviewed: 10 December Next review due: 10 December Overview - Postnatal depression.