Depression
Postpartum depression is different from the “baby blues.” The baby blues can happen a few days to two weeks from normal hormonal shifts. These feelings will be mild ups and downs and weepiness.
Too often, postpartum mental health issues are passed off as the baby blues. If symptoms of depression last beyond a few days or weeks, and the sadness, weepiness, lack of interest and other symptoms get in the way of your daily life, please reach out for help.
This condition can also occur during pregnancy (perinatal depression).
If you have perinatal depression, you might feel...
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Completely overwhelmed by parenting
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Like you just can't do this
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Regret of having a baby in the first place or fear you made the WRONG decision to have a baby
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Confused as to why this is happening
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Anger or rage toward the baby or others
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Disconnected or numb to what’s happening around you
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You don't feel like yourself anymore
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Headaches, stomach aches or back aches
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Sadness and guilt of missing out on the baby’s first days/weeks/months
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Like a mess, crying nonstop even for no apparent reason
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Fear that you will never be yourself again and things will never get better
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Like you are unworthy of your child
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Unable to eat or eating way too much
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Restless at night and unable to sleep when the baby is sleeping
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Tired all the time and unable to stay awake
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Forgetful, unable to concentrate, or foggy-brained
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Unsafe with yourself or with your baby
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Depression symptoms may be Bipolar disorder when combined with mania
