Recognizing
and Reducing
the Risk of
Postpartum Depression
T perinatal mood and anxiety disorders
can start after that initial hormonal
shift, PPD can start any time during the
baby’s fi rst year.

PPD is a mood disorder that aff ects
mothers in the weeks and months
after the birth of a baby. Normal baby
blues — the hormonal shift after birth
that results in crying, uneasiness and
mood swings — should dissipate
within two weeks. After that point, any
lingering, worsening or drastic changes
in mood may indicate that a woman is
experiencing postpartum depression,
anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder
(OCD) or another perinatal mood or
anxiety disorder. Additionally, while
Approximately 10 to 15 percent
of women suff er from postpartum
mood disorders, though the numbers
may actually be higher due to
underreporting, misdiagnosis and
lack of awareness. While there’s no
single test used to diagnose PPD,
doctors sometimes ask mothers to
complete a depression-screening
questionnaire. Some places are
making this screening mandatory
both before the baby is born and at the
six-week checkup. Other doctors may
not be as proactive, and some women
may need to request a screening.

Blood tests are typical as well to rule
out thyroid problems or other medical
issues that can have symptoms similar
hanks to the honesty of celebrity
stars such as Brooke Shields,
Hayden Panett iere and Drew
Barrymore, postpartum depression
(PPD) now shows up more in the news.

While increased discussion is great,
many moms still may not understand
what the disorder is and how it can
aff ect them.

10 November 2018
washingtonFAMILY.com SOLSTOCK/E+/ ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS
BY JENNA HATFIELD
to those of PPD. Read on for common
symptoms and how you can prepare
yourself or someone you know for
the disorder.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF
POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION
PPD can present itself in many diff erent
ways. Not all moms experience every
symptom associated with the disorder,
and a mother who was diagnosed
with PPD after a previous birth may
experience completely diff erent
symptoms after a subsequent birth —
or no symptoms at all. These are some
of the symptoms moms with PPD may
experience. IRRITATION, ANGER OR RAGE
When a baby cries, women with PPD
often feel more irritated than moms
without PPD. They can get angry at the