Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, hopelessness, or helplessness Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood While some may experience only a few symptoms, others may experience several of them.įollowing are some of the most common symptoms of perinatal depression: Symptoms of perinatal depression may vary from woman to woman. What are the signs and symptoms of perinatal depression? Women who have a personal or family history of depression or bipolar disorder or those who have a history of perinatal depression with earlier pregnancy are at a greater risk for developing it. Life events that cause stress, including work pressure or experiences of past trauma, the physical and emotional demands of childbearing and caring for a newborn, and hormonal changes during and after pregnancy can contribute to the development of perinatal depression. It is important to be noted that women are not to blame or at fault for having perinatal depression: it is not brought on by anything a mother has or has not done.

The NIMH says that it is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Perinatal depression does not have a single cause. In rare cases, if the symptoms are severe enough the health of the mother and baby may be at risk. Mothers with perinatal depression experience feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and fatigue that may make it difficult for them to carry out daily tasks, including caring for themselves or others. The term perinatal depression includes depression that begins during pregnancy, called prenatal depression, and depression that begins after the baby is born, called postpartum depression. The word “perinatal” refers to the time before and after the birth of a child. Let’s find out more about perinatal depression, what is it, what causes it and how it can be treated:Īccording to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), perinatal depression is a mood disorder that can affect women during pregnancy and after childbirth.

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