Postpartum depression and psychosis
Emotional changes after childbirth, from the brief baby blues to a rare emergency.
The days after childbirth bring huge hormonal, physical and emotional change, and many new mothers feel weepy, anxious or overwhelmed for a week or two, known as the baby blues, which usually lifts on its own. Postpartum depression is different, a low mood, exhaustion or anxiety that lasts longer, feels deeper, and does not lift without support. It comes from the enormous upheaval of childbirth, not from how much a mother loves her baby, and there is no shame in needing help to feel like herself again. A partner, mother or mother-in-law often notices the change before a new mother can say it aloud, and fathers and adoptive parents can go through something similar after a new arrival too. A separate and much rarer condition, postpartum psychosis, can also occur, and because a mother may lose touch with what is real, it is a medical emergency that needs help the same day, not something to wait out.
Signs you might notice
- Persistent low mood, tearfulness or feeling flat that does not lift after the first couple of weeks
- Constant guilt or a sense of failing as a mother, even when everything is going well
- Difficulty sleeping even when the baby is asleep, or a loss of interest in eating
- Feeling distant from the baby, or overwhelming anxiety about the baby's health
- Thoughts of harming yourself or the baby, a sign of illness that needs help right away, never evidence of being a bad mother
- Confusion, seeing or hearing things others do not, or beliefs that feel out of character, all of which need same-day medical attention
How we help
Postpartum depression is common and responds well, often quite quickly, to the right care, through therapy, practical support and, where needed, treatment options that take feeding into account. Speaking up early, even when it feels difficult, makes recovery faster and gentler. If any of the emergency signs are there, confusion, seeing or hearing things that are not, or thoughts of harming yourself or the baby, help should be sought the same day rather than waiting for an appointment.
This is general information, not a diagnosis, a consultation is the way to understand your own situation.
If you or someone you know is in crisis or thinking about self-harm, please reach out right away. You can call Tele-MANAS (Govt. of India) (14416) or KIRAN (1800-599-0019). You are not alone, and help is available.