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WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S | Family Maternity Center | Pregnancy Resource Center | Pregnancy Library | Emotions | Be alert for baby blues, depression
Be alert for baby blues, depression
Lack of sleep and dropping hormone levels combine to give 7 out of 10 new mothers a case of the baby blues. These sad feelings can come in waves and can last for several weeks. The feelings can be scary, but in most people they go away without treatment.
Symptoms include:- Crying for no apparent reason
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
If you have the blues or feel sad, anxious, or angry, you don't have to worry that you are mentally ill or that you are a failure as a mother. Remember that your emotions are on a hormonal roller coaster and that you will feel all right again with time.
You have just been through an overwhelming physical and emotional experience. It will take awhile for you to adjust to the normal changes that follow having a baby. In the meantime you can:- Talk to someone about how you feel.
- Get as much rest as you can. When your baby sleeps, you can take a bath, you can nap, read a book or do something else that you really enjoy.
- Reach out to your partner, family or friends.
- Get out of the house every day.
- Join a new mother's group.
When do the "blues" become postpartum depression?
Some women experience more intense feelings of despair, anxiety, hopelessness or sadness that interfere with daily life. Signs of this kind of depression include:- Baby blues lasting for more than two weeks
- Deep depression or anger that appears one to two months after giving birth
- Feelings of sadness, doubt, guilt or hopelessness that get worse by the week
- Inability to sleep even when you're tired
- Sleeping too much, even when the baby is awake
- Eating much more or much less than usual
- Worrying chronically about the baby, lack of interest in the baby or your family, or thoughts of hurting the baby or yourself
- Panic attacks
Help is available
Once it's diagnosed, postpartum depression can be treated with antidepressant medication, counseling, and participation in a support group, or a combination of treatments.
If you think your baby blues may have crossed the line into depression, call your provider immediately. You can be helped to feel better.
Women are more likely to have postpartum depression if they:- Had a mood disorder before the pregnancy
- Have a family member with a mood disorder
- Have a lot of stress in their lives
Date last reviewed: October 2002.
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