Postpartum Depression
Is it any wonder that 7 of 10 new moms get "the baby blues" after 9 months of pregnancy, hours of labor, childbirth, sleep deprivation, nursing, and radical lifestyle changes? The good news is that this generally resolves without treatment within 2 weeks. One in ten women, however, will develop postpartum depression, a medical disorder deserving medical and psychotherapy. Symptoms include dramatic sleep disturbances, excessive weeping; irritability, anger and hostility, headaches, overwhelming exhaustion, mood swings, profound guilt, lost appetite, poor concentration, and feelings unable to care for your children.
Susan Kushner Resnick is a mother of two who wrote the book Endless Days, describing her experiences with PPD:
"I wrote this book so that women with Postpartum Depression would know that they're not alone; that it's OK to be treated; and that you too can have a happy ending."
The good news about PPD is that it can be successfully treated with antidepressant medication and therapy. This doesn't mean you're crazy: it means you are being responsible, taking steps to give your baby with what it needs most-a healthy mom.
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Created: 10/10/2000  - Donnica Moore, M.D.