PERINATAL DEPRESSION / POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION

WHAT IS PERINATAL DEPRESSION?

Depression that occurs during pregnancy or within a year after delivery is called perinatal depression. Hormone changes or other possible triggers such as a stressful life event can cause chemical changes in the brain that lead to depression. Health care providers may fail to recognize depression during pregnancy because signs of depression, such as feeling tired, sleep problems, emotional changes and weight gain, may also occur with pregnancy. Women with perinatal depression usually experience some of the following symptoms:

• Feeling sad, hopeless and overwhelmed
• Difficulty concentrating
• Sleep problems
• Feeling restless or irritable
• Crying a lot
• Anxiety
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
• Having no energy or motivation
• Change in eating habits-weight loss/weight gain
• Feelings of guilt or worthlessness

WHAT IS POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION?

Postpartum depression can occur anytime in the first year after birth. Women with PPD often feel inadequate, hopeless and unable to cope with everyday life. Other symptoms include:

• Uncontrollable crying
• Persistent sadness
• Loss of appetite
• Insomnia (not due to baby waking up in the night)
• Moodiness
• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Difficulty concentrating
• Lack of interest in the baby
• Fear of harming the baby

If a woman exhibits any of these symptoms for more than two weeks she should seek professional help.

TREATMENT FOR PERINATAL/POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION:

Talk with your doctor or midwife about your symptoms and concerns. Ask your doctor or midwife for a referral to a therapist or psychiatrist, or check with your insurance company for a list of mental health providers. Treatment options can include:

• Support groups
• Private psychotherapy
• Medication
• Light Therapy

CONNECTICUT RESOURCES:

• Connecticut Dept. of Public Health
  http://www.dph.state.ct.us/BCH/Family%20Health/Perinatal_depression.html
• Postpartum Support International – Connecticut Chapter
  http://www.postpartum.net

For more information please visit the following websites:

• National Women’s Health Information Center
  http://womenshealth.gov/
• Maternal and Child Health Library - Knowledge Path: Postpartum Depression
  http://www.mchlibrary.info/KnowledgePaths/kp_postpartum.html
• American Pregnancy Association
  http://www.americanpregnancy.org
• PPD Moms Project
  http://www.1800PPDMOMS.org
• MedlinePlus http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/postpartumdepression.html
• Helpguide http://www.helpguide.org/mental/postpartum_depression.htm
  

TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT'S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:
Search by service names:
Mental Health Evaluation
Mental Health Related Support Groups *Postpartum/Perinatal Depression
General Counseling Services
Psychiatric Disorder Counseling

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SOURCES: National Women’s Health Information Center, Depression After Delivery
PREPARED BY: 211/lb
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: October2012