The Differences Between Postpartum Depression And Something Worse

By Alice G. Walton

Ian Hooton/Getty Images
Ian Hooton/Getty Images

Most people are aware of postpartum depression as a common and no-longer-shameful problem faced by mothers, and occasionally fathers, in the early post-baby months. In recent years, it's become much less taboo to discuss the mental challenges that one battles during these early days of sleeplessness, worry, and massive life change.

But what many people don't know is that in addition to postpartum depression, almost as many women suffer from other psychiatric problems, like postpartum OCD, plain old anxiety, and, more rarely, psychosis. How do these other problems differ from postpartum depression, and what should you look out for?

In Pictures: Postpartum Psychology

Feeling Alone

Feeling disconnected from those around you, withdrawing, and isolating yourself are common symptoms of depression. With the stresses of new parenthood, it is easy to feel alienated from friends, family, husband, and even the new baby. Severe sadness and hopelessness are both signs of depression.

Thoughts Of Harm

Negative thoughts and thoughts of self-harm are common with depression, anxiety, and OCD, but when thoughts turn to harming the baby, it's a good idea to seek help. Thoughts may include imaging the baby drowning; dropping him from a high place; shaking, poking, or stabbing the baby; and otherwise harming or being unable to save him from harm.

Cyclical Thinking

Obsessions in OCD are characterized by repeated, unwanted thoughts or feelings. With postpartum OCD, one may feel unable to stop worrying about the baby, and his or her needs and safety.

Mood Swings

Irritability, anger, agitation, and having a short fuse with your husband or child can all be signs of postpartum depression and anxiety.

Fear Of The Baby

Some women may experience extreme fear of being alone with the baby, dropping the baby, or performing certain tasks for the baby. All of these may be signs of postpartum anxiety and depression.

In Pictures: Postpartum Psychology

Treatments for postpartum depression typically include antidepressant medication (like SSRIs) psychotherapy (including talk therapy and CBT), and lifestyle changes - eating a healthy diet, exercising, joining parents' groups, and reaching out to friends and family for social support. Anxiety may be treated with similar methods, with the possible addition of anxiolytic or anti-anxiety medications.

Lifestyle changes, like those mentioned above, as well as breathing exercises, yoga, and meditation, are gaining increasing support from the scientific community as effective methods to help treat psychiatric disorders. Because postpartum psychosis is more serious, it should be treated with the help of a knowledgeable health care professional.

While the disorders can sound (and be) scary, it's important to know that there's help out there. Postpartum psychosis is rare, and while postpartum depression and anxiety/OCD are not pleasant, they're less dangerous.

Finally, know you're not alone in it: many women experience these symptoms, and there are a lot of good options for treatment. If you would like help, please reach out and talk to a health care provider.

Read the full story, Postpartum Psychology: Depression, Anxiety, OCD, and Psychosis on Forbes.com

See also:

10 Signs You're Depressed But Don't Know It

Getting Pregnant: Top 10 Fertility Myths and Facts

In Pictures: Postpartum Psychology

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