What is Postpartum Depression?

by Dr. Jay D. Valdez

Postpartum depression (PDD) affects approximately 13% of women and is one of the most common problems after childbirth.

Common signs of PDD include feeling sad, hopeless and empty, having crying spells, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, difficulty developing a secure bond with the baby, changes in appetite, problems with sleep not related to normal patterns of raising a newborn, low energy, feelings of guilt, failure and worthlessness as a mother, poor concentration/focus, and thoughts of hurting oneself or the baby.

Normally, the birth of a newborn child is an exciting and deeply joyful and emotional experience. The mother’s maternal instinct is to immediately bond and love her child.

Sometimes the mother feels the “baby blues” but it only lasts for a few days up to 2 weeks and disappears. However, PDD can last months to years and negatively affects the mother’s mental and emotional health, personal hygiene, daily functioning, relationships with family, and bond with her baby.

PDD is a serious problem that requires a visit to a medical or mental health professional. Treatment may involve medications and/or psychotherapy but research suggests a combination of both produces the best result.

Medication controls the amount of serotonin in the brain. Psychotherapy focuses on changing the mother’s negative thought process. Changing her negative thoughts to healthier thinking leads to healthy behaviors toward her newborn.

The mother also learns useful coping skills to deal with negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

The causes of PDD are not completely understood but are thought to be related to an imbalance of hormones and neurochemicals in the brain.

Other factors might include caring for a child with chronic health issues, personal or family history of depression, PDD or other mental disorder, antagonistic relationships with spouse and family, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, drug abuse, and financial difficulties. Another condition worth mentioning is postpartum psychosis.

Postpartum psychosis is a rare but dangerous condition. A mother may hallucinate, hear voices, and see things and it usually indicates she has lost touch with reality placing her baby and herself in danger.

How to respond to someone with PDD. Start a conversation and gently ask questions about their feelings.

Do not judge but rather validate their experience. Encourage them to seek help from their ob/gyn, family physician, mental health professional, a pastor or priest.

Seek help immediately if they talk about hurting themselves or the baby and/or seem disconnected from reality, is confused or paranoid, and is hearing or seeing things that are not there.

If this is the case, do not leave them alone, call 911 or a crisis line immediately, and ensure the baby is in a safe environment.

JAY D. VALDEZ is a psychologist who practices in Waipahu. He works with adults suffering from anxiety, depression, relationship problems, and trauma; he also does marital counseling.

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