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Causes of PPD

What Causes Postpartum Depression?

By Karen Kleiman, MSW

Many people confuse PPD with the more common phenomenon of baby blues. The "blues" refer to a hormonally triggered state that is characterized by tearfulness, depression, fatigue, irritability, and anxiety. Research shows that the incidence of baby blues is as high as 80 percent of all new mothers. Onset is usually soon after delivery and remits spontaneously within two weeks. No treatment is required other than understanding of the situation and support. If symptoms of what appears to be baby blues persist beyond two weeks, the possibility of PPD should be considered.

Since many PPD symptoms are heightened states of what any new mother (without PPD) may feel, they are often casually dismissed as temporary and expected responses to the postpartum adjustment period. In other words, if a new mother tells her doctor she is feeling weepy and tired, he/she may remind mom that this is "normal" and she will feel better soon. This may or may not be true. Medical professionals need to be more responsive to the statements of the mother who is concerned about the way she feels. Unfortunately, most women are not eager to share their emotional anguish and unless the right questions are asked, her level of acute distress may continue to go unnoticed.

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