Postpartum Depression

Symptom Checklist
The following are statements often made by women suffering from PPD. Although most new mothers will easily relate to one or two of the statements listed below, women with PPD usually agree with many or even all of the statements. If you agree with four or more of these statements, you may be suffering from postpartum depression – call your doctor or a PPD support organization. Typically, PPD is diagnosed only when these symptoms have lasted two or more weeks.

• I can’t shake feeling depressed no matter what I do.

• I cry at lease once a day.

• I feel sad most or all of the time.

• I can’t concentrate.

• I don’t enjoy the things that I used to enjoy.

• I have no interest in making love at all, even though my doctor says I’m now physically able to resume sexual relations.

• I can’t sleep, even when my baby sleeps.

• I feel like a failure all of the time.

• I have no energy; I am tired all the time.

• I have no appetite and no enjoyment of food (or, I am having sugar and carbohydrate cravings and compulsively eating all the time).

• I can’t remember the last time I laughed.

• Every little thing gets on my nerves lately. Sometimes, I am even furious at my baby. Often, I am angry with my husband.

• I feel that the future is hopeless.

• It seems like I will feel this way forever.

• There are times when I feel that it would be better to be dead than to feel this way for one more minute.

WHERE CAN YOU GET HELP
The following is a list of possible referral sources. If you have recently had a baby and are not feeling yourself or think something is wrong…it is probably time to get help. PPD can occur anytime within the first year after childbirth. Without proper treatment, symptoms can linger or get worse. PPD is treatable. You will feel better again.

• Obstetrician

• Pediatrician

• General practitioner/family doctor

• Breastfeeding support group (Call even if you are not breastfeeding)

• Local mental health agency (Usually has a reasonable sliding fee scale)

• Local Family Services agency

• Parenting or new mother support group

• Local hospital (Try Social Services Dept/Childbirth Education Dept/Maternity Service Dept)

• Local teaching hospital (Psychiatry Dept)

• Person referral from friend, neighbor, someone you trust

• Yellow pages

• Church or synagogue

• Local Women’s Center (These are popping up all over. Some are free-standing and some are affiliated with hospitals)

• Health insurance provider