When It’s More Than the “Baby Blues”
The birth of a baby is supposed to be a joyous and exciting time in a mother’s life, but for many women, it is the exact opposite. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, about 70–80% of women experience the “baby blues” after childbirth and about 10% of women develop postpartum depression (PPD), a serious medical condition that develops during the first months after childbirth.

To help address this prevalent public health issue, National Depression Screening Day is incorporating screening for postpartum depression into this year’s event.

“Many women go through a period of feeling sad, anxious, or irritable after the birth of a baby – this is often referred to as the ‘baby blues.’ However, if these symptoms last longer than two weeks, it could be an indication of a far more serious disorder such as postpartum depression. By incorporating screening for PPD into National Depression Screening Day, we hope to educate both clinicians and the public about the differences between the baby blues and postpartum depression,” says Douglas G. Jacobs, MD, President & CEO of National Depression Screening Day and an associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.

Like many women who suffer from a postpartum mood disorder, Katherine Stone thought that the anxiety, depression and insomnia she was experiencing was something that most mothers went through. It wasn’t until she started to have thoughts about harming her seven-week-old son that she realized she needed help. “I couldn’t believe what was happening to me. I had never had thoughts of harming a flea, much less a human being,” says Stone, whose son is now three years old. “I felt like a defective human being, and was convinced my son would never love me. Of course, I was wrong and I know that now, but at the time I was sure my life was over.”

“Feeling sad after delivering a healthy baby doesn’t mean that you are a failure as a mother,” says Paul A. Gluck, MD, Chair of the Florida Section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. “New moms need to know that postpartum depression is not a character flaw but is actually a chemical imbalance. PPD is a real illness that responds well to treatment.”

Fortunately, Stone was able to take advantage of her company’s employee-assistance program and called the help line. She was put in touch with a therapist and began treatment. Stone has completely recovered, and now supports other women who experience similar symptoms through her weblog, Postpartum Progress .

“Postpartum depression was merely glossed over in my pregnancy books and birth preparation classes. I was completely unprepared for the reality of what might happen. If I had received better information, I could have gotten the proper treatment sooner and suffered a lot less,” says Stone. “We need to educate both the public and health care professionals about the prevalence of postpartum mood disorders so women can get the help they need and deserve.”

National Depression Screening Day, now in its fifteenth year, is a program of the nonprofit organization, Screening for Mental Health, Inc. The free program provides a non-threatening way for the public to be screened for depression and related illnesses such as bipolar disorder, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and postpartum depression.


The Baby Blues vs. Postpartum Depression

Symptoms of the Baby Blues (symptoms usually last less than a week):

    • Crying for no apparent reason.
    • Difficulty eating, sleeping or making decisions.
    • Chronic doubts about caring for the baby.


Symptoms of postpartum depression:

    • Strong feelings of depression and anger that continue beyond one to two months after childbirth.
    • Feelings of sadness, doubt, guilt, or helplessness that increase each week and get in the way of everyday activities.
    • Inability to care for oneself or the baby.
    • Difficulty concentrating or doing tasks at home or on the job.
    • Change in appetite.
    • Concern and worry about the baby are too intense, or interest in the baby is lacking.
    • Anxiety or panic attacks.
    • Withdrawal or isolation from friends and family.
    • Fears of harming the baby.
    • Thoughts of self-harm or suicide.