Baby blues and postpartum depression are common, serious and treatable. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask. Below is more information and available resources.
Symptoms of Baby Blues (lasts a few days to a couple of weeks):
- Mood Swings
- Anxiety
- Sadness
- Irritability
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Crying
- Reduced concentration
- Appetite problems
- Trouble sleeping
Postpartum Depression and Anxiety (more intense symptoms and lasts longer):
- Depressed mood or severe mood swings
- Severe anxiety or panic attacks
- Crying excessively
- Difficulty bonding with your baby
- Withdrawing from friends or family
- Appetite problems (eating too much or too little)
- Inability to sleep or sleeping too much
- Less interest and pleasure in activities
- Intense irritability and anger
- Hopelessness
- Fear that you are not a good parent
- Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt or inadequacy
- Reduced concentration or reduced ability to make decisions
- Restlessness
- Thoughts of death, suicide, harming self or your baby
Symptoms of Postpartum Psychosis (rare condition, severe symptoms, usually develops within weeks of delivery):
- Feeling confused or lost
- Having obsessive thoughts about your baby
- Hallucinating and having delusions
- Sleep problems
- Having too much energy and feeling upset
- Feeling paranoid
- Increased thoughts of death, suicide, harming self or your baby
- Making attempts to harm yourself or your baby
Resources:
- Suicide Prevention Line – Call or Text – 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- National Maternal Mental Health Hotline – Call or Text – 1-833-943-5746 (1-833-9-HELP4MOMS)
- Parental Stress Line – Call – 1-800-632-8188
- Postpartum Support International – Call – 1-800-944-4773 (information only, not a hotline)