Post-Partum Depression

Post-partum depression, or post-natal depression, is a normally short-term form of clinical depression experienced by women following childbirth. The primary cause is the sudden hormonal change brought on by having a baby but other physical and emotional reasons may contribute Not all women experience post-partum depression but the symptoms are sadness, low energy, changes in sleeping and eating patterns, reduced desire for sex, crying episodes, anxiety, and irritability. If this depression continues for more than two weeks she should seek professional help. Post-partum depression normally responds well to support groups, group therapy and/or medication. A small fraction of affected women may develop post-partum psychosis, a serious condition that includes the above symptoms but also contains command hallucinations that may lead a woman to injure or kill her children.