Are you having a difficult time recognizing or admitting to being depressed during pregnancy or postpartum depression? Use this scientific tool to better decide.
Learn More About Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a type of major depression that affects many women after giving birth; it usually begins within four weeks of giving birth.
Also known as postnatal depression, PPD is a type of mood disorder that manifests as a complex mix of emotional, behavioral and physical changes in new mothers. Postpartum depression is believed to be caused by the chemical and psychological changes that occur inside a womanâs body while having a baby. Chemical changes involve the sudden change in the hormone levels inside a womanâs body. During pregnancy, the hormones estrogen and progesterone are at an all-time high, but within a few days of delivery, these hormones drop to what it was before pregnancy. Many women develop âbaby bluesâ, but in some cases, depression is more severe. Although it is mostly observed in women, this type of depression can affect new dads too. Studies show that new dads are prone to depression during the first year of becoming a father. People affected by this condition experience intense sadness, anxiety, low energy, sleeping problems, despair and irritability, which may affect their ability to take care of the infant and perform daily tasks.
The treatment and recovery of PPD largely depend on the type of symptoms, the severity of the condition, and the personal needs of the patient. Therapy, medication and participation in support groups are the primary modes of treatment available for postpartum depression.
Read More: Postpartum depression
Instructions:
Below is a list of questions that relate to life experiences common among people who have postpartum depression. Please read each question carefully, and indicate how often you have experienced the same or similar challenges in the past few months.
Approx time – 5 minutes
No. of questions – 10