Getting Out of the Black Hole

Postpartum depression, also referred to as postpartum non-psychotic depression is a serious condition afflicting mothers who have just had a baby. It interferes with a woman’s ability to care for the baby, and the condition attacks all mothers regardless of whether it’s their first, fifth or twentieth child. Some medical researchers believe that this condition may be caused by the fluctuation of hormones during pregnancy and after childbirth. While it is natural to feel stressed out, tired and anxious about childcare, such feelings should disappear quickly after childbirth. Postpartum depression may present itself with symptoms that include tearfulness, depressed mood, suicidal thoughts, trouble sleeping, fatigue, appetite problems, inability to enjoy pleasurable activities, feelings of inadequacy as a parent, and impaired concentration. Some women with postpartum depression may worry incessantly about the baby’s health and wellbeing, feeling that they cannot cope with the baby for fear of causing physical harm while having negative thoughts about him or her. Some confuse postpartum depression with a condition known as the baby blues, because they have similar...