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It is common for women to experience some mild mood changes during pregnancy or after the birth of a child. However 15% to 20% of women experience more significant symptoms of depression or anxiety. There are numerous symptoms that may occur during or after pregnancy and differ for everyone. McCoy identifies the following symptoms:

         Anxiety

         Mood swings

         Sleep problems

         Appetite changes

         Suicidal thoughts

         Lack of interest in or feeling disconnected from baby

         Thoughts of harming the baby

         Sluggishness

         Exhaustion

         Memory loss

         Sense of guilt or shame

         Sense of doom

         Scary or odd thoughts that repeat in your mind

         Irritability or anger

There is no one cause to this form of depression, but it is useful to understand the risk factors and predictive signs of postpartum depression because it means that it is possible to detect women that are at risk during pregnancy. Early detection means preventative care can be given. The most significant factors contributing to postpartum depression were socio–professional difficulties, damaging life events, depressive mood prior to delivery, early mother–child separation and negative birth experience (Righetti-Veltema, Conne-Perreard, Bousquet, & Manzano, 1998). While these are the most significant factors, the website Postpartum.net describes many other factors that can contribute to postpartum depression, for example mothers of multiples and women with a thyroid imbalance. It is important for those suffering to know that these symptoms are temporary and treatable.

Postpartum depression symptoms most often occur three to four months after the baby is born, however, they may occur before or after. Women often don’t think they have postpartum depression in part because the symptoms may appear months after birth. Once the symptoms do appear the progression of the symptoms depend on recognition, seeking help and the effectiveness of treatment. Most research on postpartum depression has been focused on the cause. Less is understood about progression. James McIntosh (1993) found in his research that a majority of depressed mothers did not seek help because of their perception of the cause of their depression, ideas about solutions, and reluctance to admit to experiencing emotional difficulty. 

Prevention and treatment of symptoms is available. The prognosis or likely outcome is that women will recover from postpartum depression with effective treatment. Treatment is unique for each woman. The experts at Postpartum.net explain that treatment can include self-care, social support, talk therapy or counseling, and medication when necessary. There is no defined timeframe for recovery because so much depends on detection, access to and the effectiveness of the treatment. 

 “Depression During Pregnancy and Postpartum.” Postpartum.net  n.p. n.d.  Web. 17 November 2014.

McIntosh, J. (1993). Postpartum Depression: Women’s Help-seeking Behaviour and Perceptions of Cause.Journal of Advanced Nursing, 178-184.

There are statues of fierce demons standing guard at the gates of most Buddhist temples. To enter the sacred space of the temple you must pass directly between them. This is because all humans, each of us, must come to terms with the demons of fear, aggression, temptation, ignorance, and their cohorts if we are to live a free and sacred life. They cannot be neglected.