what exactly is postpartum depression?

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The birth of a baby can trigger a jumble of powerful emotions, from excitement and joy to fear and anxiety. But it can also result in something you might not expect — depression.

Many new moms experience the baby blues — a mild, short-lived depression — for a few days or weeks after childbirth. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, about 10 percent of new moms experience postpartum depression — a more severe form of depression that can develop within the first six months after giving birth. For women with postpartum depression, feelings such as sadness, anxiety and restlessness can be so strong that they interfere with daily tasks. Rarely, a more extreme form of depression known as postpartum psychosis can develop.

Experiencing depression after childbirth isn't a character flaw or a weakness. Sometimes it's simply part of giving birth. If you're depressed, prompt treatment can help you manage your symptoms — and enjoy your baby.

There's no single cause for depression after childbirth. Physical, emotional and lifestyle factors may all play a role.

Physical changes. After childbirth, a dramatic drop in estrogen and progesterone may trigger depression. The hormones produced by your thyroid gland also may drop sharply — which can leave you feeling tired, sluggish and depressed. Changes in your blood volume, blood pressure, immune system and metabolism can lead to fatigue and mood swings.
Emotional factors. When you're sleep deprived and overwhelmed, you may have trouble handling even minor problems. You may be anxious about your ability to care for a newborn. You may feel less attractive or struggle with your sense of identity. You may feel that you've lost control over your life. Any of these factors can contribute to depression.
Lifestyle influences. Many lifestyle factors can lead to depression, including a demanding baby or older siblings, difficulty breast-feeding, exhaustion, financial problems, and lack of support from your partner or other loved ones.

The signs and symptoms of depression after childbirth vary depending on the form of depression. Signs and symptoms of the baby blues — which last only a few days or weeks — may include:

Anxiety
Sadness
Irritability
Crying
Headaches
Exhaustion
A sense of inadequacy
Postpartum depression may appear to be the baby blues at first — but the signs and symptoms are more intense and longer lasting, eventually interfering with your ability to function. In addition to the signs and symptoms listed above, you may experience:

Constant fatigue
Lack of joy in life
A sense of emotional numbness or failure
Withdrawal from family and friends
Lack of concern for yourself or your baby
Excessive concern for your baby
Less interest in sex
Severe mood swings
Impaired thinking or concentration
Insomnia
With postpartum psychosis — a rare condition that develops within the first six weeks after delivery — the signs and symptoms are even more severe. In addition to the signs and symptoms listed above, you may experience:

Fear of harming yourself or your baby
Confusion and disorientation
Hallucinations and delusions
Paranoia

Postpartum depression
Postpartum depression is often treated with counseling and medication.

Counseling. It may help to talk through your concerns with a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional. Through counseling, you can find better ways to cope with your feelings, solve problems and set realistic goals.
Antidepressants. Antidepressants are a proven treatment for postpartum depression. If you're breast-feeding, it's important to know that any medication you take will enter your breast milk. Some antidepressants can be used during breast-feeding with little risk to your baby. But several antidepressants raise concerns for the baby, and various others have not been adequately tested to fully assess the risk. Work with your doctor to weigh the potential risks and benefits as you choose the treatment that's right for you.
Hormone therapy. Estrogen replacement may help counteract the rapid drop in estrogen that accompanies childbirth. However, estrogen therapy after childbirth may decrease milk production and increase the risk of developing blood clots in the leg or lungs. As with antidepressants, weigh the potential risks and benefits of hormone therapy with your doctor.
With appropriate treatment, postpartum depression usually goes away within a few months. Some women have lingering symptoms for months or years

If you have postpartum depression, taking good care of yourself can help speed your recovery. Check out this website for more information on self care and other postpartum depression topics.

PD is the depression that some people get after having a baby. Some people get depressed due to the weight gain or the fact that their emotions are going wild and they dont really know how to deal with the new baby. It usually goes away after a few weeks.

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what exactly is postpartum depression?

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