If you're a new father and are experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety during your partner's pregnancy or in the first year after your child's birth, talk to your health care professional. Similar treatments and supports provided to mothers with postpartum depression can be beneficial in treating postpartum depression in fathers.
If you're feeling depressed after your baby's birth, you may be reluctant or embarrassed to admit it. But if you experience any symptoms of postpartum baby blues or postpartum depression, call your doctor and schedule an appointment.
If you have symptoms that suggest you may have postpartum psychosis, get help immediately. It's important to call your doctor as soon as possible if the signs and symptoms of depression have any of these features:. If at any point you have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, immediately seek help from your partner or loved ones in taking care of your baby and call or your local emergency assistance number to get help.
People with depression may not recognize or acknowledge that they're depressed. They may not be aware of signs and symptoms of depression. If you suspect that a friend or loved one has postpartum depression or is developing postpartum psychosis, help them seek medical attention immediately. Don't wait and hope for improvement. There's no single cause of postpartum depression, but physical and emotional issues may play a role.
Any new mom can experience postpartum depression and it can develop after the birth of any child, not just the first. However, your risk increases if:. Left untreated, postpartum depression can interfere with mother-child bonding and cause family problems.
If you have a history of depression — especially postpartum depression — tell your doctor if you're planning on becoming pregnant or as soon as you find out you're pregnant. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview The birth of a baby can trigger a jumble of powerful emotions, from excitement and joy to fear and anxiety.
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness. Feelings of irritability or restlessness. Loss of interest in hobbies and activities. Loss of energy. Problems concentrating, recalling details, and making decisions. Difficulty falling asleep or sleeping too much. Overeating or loss of appetite. Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts. Aches or pains that do not get better with treatment.
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression How often postpartum depression symptoms occur, how long they last, and how intense they feel can be different for each person.
The symptoms of postpartum depression are similar to symptoms for depression, but may also include: Crying more often than usual. Feelings of anger. Withdrawing from loved ones. Feeling numb or disconnected from your baby. Worrying that you will hurt the baby. Depression in pregnancy antenatal depression is also common. Around 1 in 8 people will experience depression during their pregnancy. Other mental health symptoms that can occur during or after your pregnancy include anxiety, panic attacks and psychosis.
Read more about mental health in pregnancy. Many women feel a bit down, tearful or anxious in the first week after giving birth.
This is often called the " baby blues " and is so common that it's considered normal. The "baby blues" do not last for more than 2 weeks after giving birth. If your symptoms last longer or start later, you could have postnatal depression. Postnatal depression can start any time in the first year after giving birth.
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.
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