What are Postpartum Mood Disorders?
There are three different types of mood disorders associated with childbirth. These include: 1. Postpartum anxiety or baby blues 2. Postpartum depression 3. Postpartum psychosis Postpartum anxiety or baby blues affect about 80% of all mothers and is often identified by weeping, anxiety, mood changes, and a sense of vulnerability. It usually occurs within the first week following birth and typically goes away after a few weeks. Postpartum depression anxiety occurs in 20% of mothers and is more debilitating and longer lasting than the blues. Symptoms may include excessive worry or anxiety, a sad mood, guilt, changes in appetite, sleep problems, and fatigue. Onset of these feelings can appear anytime during the first year after the birth. Postpartum psychosis is a rare disorder occurring in 1 to 3 out of every 1,000 births. It is associated with reactions such as delusions, hallucinations and hyperactivity. These reactions usually occur within 3-14 days following the babys birth. Psychosi
