Also oftentimes referred to as the baby blues, post partum depression is a type of depression that affects women who just gave birth to their little ones. According to mental health professionals, it is brought about by a combination of hormonal changes, fatigue and adjustment to being a mother.

Contrary to popular belief, postpartum depression is not just about feeling sad. It also usually comes with mood swings, anxiety or panic attacks, sleep changes and even a feeling of hatred towards the baby.

Postpartum depression is actually quite common. It is estimated that about 20 percent of women suffer from it after giving birth. It’s also something that can show up during the first week or so after the baby’s delivery, although experts say that it may also come into being in the first few months of motherhood.

More often than not, postpartum depression goes away on its own after 1 to 2 weeks. However, it’s not unlikely for it to stay around for a few months. There are instances, too, in which postpartum depression refuses to go away after a year or so. Certainly, it warrants professional help.

Did you just give birth and now you are wondering if you have to worry about postpartum depression? Keep on reading. Below you will come across some of the telltale sign of postpartum depression. Don’t forget to repost this afterwards especially if you have family and friends who just had their babies.

Mood Swings

One of the culprits behind postpartum depression is hormonal imbalance, and the hormones of a new mother tend to fluctuate all the time. It’s for this reason exactly why having postpartum depression can cause mood swings — you feel fine one moment and then feel like a complete wreck the next.

Excessive Crying

Someone who has postpartum depression may burst into tears upon waking up. However, the crying fit doesn’t begin and end there. Such can strike at any given time of the day. In some instances the reason for crying is quite clear, while other times the new mom doesn’t have any clue at all.

Intense Anger

Just about anything can leave a woman with postpartum depression red with rage. You yell at your partner for failure to bring you a treat that you’re craving. You scream at your baby for crying non-stop. Often, a woman feels mystified, ashamed or guilty after exhibiting an uncontrolled or uncalled for burst of anger.

Hatred Towards the Baby

One of the most alarming and often surprising symptoms of postpartum depression is dislike towards the baby. According to experts, about 50 percent of moms with postpartum depression refuse to engage in bonding with their babies. It’s important to note, however, that depression can make it challenging to connect with anyone.

Anxiety Attacks

It’s perfectly normal for a new mother to be anxious for a lot of things, such as the future of her little bundle of joy. However, it is a completely different matter if she’s feeling anxious all the time to the point that she can no longer function normally. Sometimes she may have panic attacks, too.

Insomnia

Having a baby can definitely keep a new mother from enjoying a good night’s sleep. The good news is there are always plenty of opportunities to get some shut-eye, such as when the baby is napping. There is definitely something wrong if a woman no longer wants to sleep thinking that her baby will wake her up soon anyway.

Make sure that you pay a mental health professional a visit if you feel that you are suffering from postpartum depression. By addressing the problem, it can go away in no time without causing complications in the process.