From hormone-induced baby blues to severe psychosis
Peripartum depression occurs in various forms and degrees of severity. "Peripartum" means "around the time of birth" (lat. partus, "birth") - a distinction is made between prepartum (also: prenatal) and postpartum (also: postnatal) depression before and after birth. They can occur at any time during pregnancy up to a year after the birth.
The baby blues are very common and occur in the first 10 days after the birth. It usually lasts only a short time, passes on its own and manifests itself in emotional sensitivity, sudden mood swings and frequent crying on the part of the new mother.
In postpartum or postnatal depression, which occurs in the first year after the birth, several factors usually come together: The causes are very individual and can be physical, hormonal, genetic, psychodynamic, social or societal in nature. Depression can occur suddenly or gradually and manifest itself through stronger or weaker symptoms.
A special form of pregnancy-related depression is postpartum psychosis, which is a much more severe mental illness than the other forms. Typical symptoms of this psychosis are anxiety, restlessness and agitation, increased drive or apathy, hallucinations and delusions. In extreme cases, postpartum psychosis can be life-threatening for both the mother and her child and must be treated with medication as quickly as possible, usually during an inpatient stay.
Affected women should definitely seek help regardless of the severity of their pregnancy depression - peripartum depression can be treated well in most cases. At Bethesda Hospital, we have many years of experience in this area and are happy to help you.
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