Compare and contrast postpartum blues, postpartum depression, and postpartum psychosis.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Postpartum depression occurs during the weeks and months following childbirth. The symptoms include depression, loss of appetite, sleep disturbances, fatigue, suicidal thoughts, disinterest in the newborn child, and a general loss of interest in life’s activities. The woman with postpartum depression often feels guilty for being depressed when she should be happy about a new baby. Postpartum blues is the most common disorder associated with the postpartum period, and it ischaracterized by crying, irritability, anxiety, confusion, and rapid mood changes. The symptoms may last for a few hours to a few days and are clearly linked to childbirth. Rarely do the symptoms last more than 12 days. Postpartum psychosis isa severe mental disorder that is rare, occurring in 1 out of every 1,000 women following delivery. Usually, the psychotic features are highly similar to the symptoms of serious bipolar depression and appear to be directly connected to childbirth.