When is postpartum depression dangerous

Chaudron LH. Postpartum depression: What pediatricians need to know. Pediatr Rev. Mental health literacy of depression and postnatal depression: A community sample. Open J Depress Spinelli MG. Maternal infanticide associated with mental illness: Prevention and the promise of saved lives. Am J Psychiatry.

Prevalence and risk factors for postpartum depressive symptoms in Argentina: A cross-sectional study. Int J Womens Health.

Is the cognitive-behavioural therapy an effective strategy also in the prevention of post partum depression? Riv Psichiatr. Identifying women at risk of postnatal depression: Prospective longitudinal study. Hong Kong Med J. Risk factors for sub-clinical and major postpartum depression among a community cohort of Canadian women. Matern Child Health J. Risk factors for postpartum depression: A retrospective investigation at 4-weeks postnatal and a review of the literature.

J Am Osteopath Assoc. Risk factors of postpartum depression in rural areas of Isfahan Province, Iran. Arch Iran Med. Risk factors for depressive symptoms during pregnancy: A systematic review. Am J Obstet Gynecol. Endocrine factors in the etiology of postpartum depression. Compr Psychiatry. Examination of premenstrual symptoms as a risk factor for depression in postpartum women. Arch Womens Ment Health. Postpartum depression: We know the risks, can it be prevented?

Rev Bras Psiquiatr. Mood changes after delivery: Role of the serotonin transporter gene. Br J Psychiatry. Leigh B, Milgrom J. Risk factors for antenatal depression, postnatal depression and parenting stress. BMC Psychiatry. Depression symptom prevalence and demographic risk factors among U. Predictors of postpartum depression: Prospective study of women followed during pregnancy and postpartum.

Psychiatry Res. Very low birth-weight as a risk factor for postpartum depression four to six weeks postbirth in mothers and fathers: Cross-sectional results from a controlled multicentre cohort study. Mode of delivery and postpartum depression: The role of patient preferences. Epidural labor analgesia is associated with a decreased risk of postpartum depression: A prospective cohort study.

Anesth Analg. Can insomnia in pregnancy predict postpartum depression? A longitudinal, population-based study. PLoS One. Breastfeeding is negatively affected by prenatal depression and reduces postpartum depression.

Psychol Med. Hamdan A, Tamim H. Psychosocial risk and protective factors for postpartum depression in the United Arab Emirates. Kiernan K, Pickett KE. Marital status disparities in maternal smoking during pregnancy, breastfeeding and maternal depression. Soc Sci Med. Breastfeeding in depressed mother-infant dyads. Early Child Dev Care. Sociodemographic risk factors of perinatal depression: A cohort study in the public health care system. Antenatal risk factors for postnatal depression: A large prospective study.

Postpartum depression and psycho-socio-demographic predictors. Asia Pac Psychiatry. Pregnancy hyperglycaemia and risk of prenatal and postpartum depressive symptoms. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. Homocysteine and serotonin: Association with postpartum depression.

Review of metabolism, transport and role of serotonin in the body and the relation between serotonin and diseases. J Fasa Univ Med Sci. Neumann ID, Landgraf R. Balance of brain oxytocin and vasopressin: Implications for anxiety, depression, and social behaviors.

Trends Neurosci. Plasma oxytocin concentration during pregnancy is associated with development of postpartum depression. Evidence that oxytocin exerts anxiolytic effects via oxytocin receptor expressed in serotonergic neurons in mice. J Neurosci. Oxytocin and major depressive disorder: Experimental and clinical evidence for links to aetiology and possible treatment.

Pharmaceuticals Basel ; 3 — Emerging risk factors for postpartum depression: Serotonin transporter genotype and omega-3 fatty acid status. Can J Psychiatry. Estrogen action in mood and neurodegenerative disorders: Estrogenic compounds with selective properties-the next generation of therapeutics. Estrogen-related mood disorders: Reproductive life cycle factors. Tsigos C, Chrousos GP. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, neuroendocrine factors and stress. J Psychosom Res. The HPA axis and perinatal depression: A hypothesis.

Antenatal thyroid correlates of postpartum depression. Thyroid peroxidase antibodies during gestation are a marker for subsequent depression postpartum. For most women, having a baby is a very exciting, joyous, and often anxious time. But for women with peripartum formerly postpartum depression it can become very distressing and difficult. Peripartum depression refers to depression occurring during pregnancy or after childbirth.

The use of the term peripartum recognizes that depression associated with having a baby often begins during pregnancy. It carries risks for the mother and child. Pregnancy and the period after delivery can be a particularly vulnerable time for women. Mothers often experience immense biological, emotional, financial, and social changes during this time. Some women can be at an increased risk for developing mental health problems, particularly depression and anxiety.

Symptoms of this emotional condition may include crying for no reason, irritability, restlessness, and anxiety. These symptoms last a week or two and generally resolve on their own without treatment. Getting treatment is important for both the mother and the child.

In January , the U. Peripartum depression can cause bonding issues with the baby and can contribute to sleeping and feeding problems for the baby. In the longer-term, children of mothers with peripartum depression are at greater risk for cognitive, emotional, development and verbal deficits and impaired social skills. A woman experiencing peripartum depression usually has several of these symptoms, and the symptoms and their severity may change.

These symptoms may cause new mothers to feel isolated, guilty, or ashamed. To be diagnosed with peripartum depression, symptoms must begin during pregnancy or within four weeks following delivery. Many women with peripartum depression also experience symptoms of anxiety. One study found that nearly two-thirds of women with peripartum depression also had an anxiety disorder. While there is no specific diagnostic test for peripartum depression, it is a real illness that should be taken seriously.

Any pregnant woman or new mother who experiences the symptoms of peripartum depression should seek evaluation by a medical professional — an internal medicine doctor or an OB-GYN, who can make referrals to a psychiatrist or other mental health professional.

Assessment should include a psychiatric evaluation and a medical evaluation to rule out physical problems that may have symptoms similar to depression such as thyroid problems or vitamin deficiencies. Women are at increased risk of depression during or after pregnancy if they have previously experienced or have a family history of depression or other mood disorders, if they are experiencing particularly stressful life events in addition to the pregnancy, or if they do not have the support of family and friends.

Research suggests that rapid changes in sex and stress hormones and thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy and after delivery have a strong effect on moods and may contribute to peripartum depression. Other factors include physical changes related to pregnancy, changes in relationships and at work, worries about parenting and lack of sleep. New fathers can also experience symptoms of peripartum depression.

Symptoms may include fatigue and changes in eating or sleeping. Younger fathers, those with a history of depression and fathers with financial difficulties are at increased risk of experiencing depression.

Many women may suffer in silence, dismissing their struggles as a normal part of pregnancy and childbirth and fail to seek care.

Treatment for depression during pregnancy is essential. It's easy to find the right doctor, health screenings and programs, classes and more. Your health information, right at your fingertips. Read the Latest. What Causes Postpartum Depression? According to the National Institute for Mental Health, other risk factors include: A stressful life event during pregnancy or shortly after giving birth, such as job loss, death of a loved one, domestic violence, or personal illness.

Medical complications during childbirth, including premature delivery or having a baby with medical problems. Mixed feelings about the pregnancy, whether it was planned or unplanned.

A lack of strong emotional support from your spouse, partner, family, or friends. Alcohol or other drug abuse problems. PDD last longer than few days. The symptoms are also more intense and may include: Severe change in appetite Extreme fatigue yet not sleeping Severe mood swings, including feeling irritable, angry and sad, but no joy No interest in pleasurable activities Low self-worth Withdrawing from loved ones, including baby, along with feelings of guilt or shame Having thoughts about hurting yourself or your baby Feelings of sadness, restlessness, anxiety, or hopelessness Trouble concentrating or remembering Changes in eating or sleeping habits Low energy Loss of interest in favorite activities Detachment from family and friends Persistent physical problems, such as headaches or an upset stomach Many women experience significant postpartum symptoms.

Figure Out Your Risk for Postpartum Depression For high risk patients, treatment before giving birth can help lessen the negative effects or head off postpartum depression.

The goal is to help the patient understand their feelings and to develop coping skills. Groups sessions are also a possible form of treatment. Antidepressant medications act on the chemicals in the brain that affect mood and its regulation. These medications are generally considered safe to use during breastfeeding, but a woman should talk to her health care provider about the risks and benefits to both herself and her baby.

Postpartum Depression Resources Postpartum Support International helps women suffering from postpartum depression find help and local services. Dads Get Postpartum Depression Too New research is finding that postpartum depression may affect up to one-quarter of dads, yet it goes unnoticed.

The risk factors include: A history of depression or anxiety. Having a partner who has a mood disorder. Lack of social support. Financial worries. Age — older men are more likely to be affected. Marital discord.