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What You Should Know About Postpartum Depression

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  • By Health.mil Staff
  • Health.mil
FALLS CHURCH, VA., --  Depression is a problem many women experience after pregnancy. Postpartum depression can occur up to 12 months after giving birth and is thought to be caused by changes in hormones during pregnancy.
The problem is treatable, however.

Almost 10 percent of active duty service women and about 8 percent of military spouses experience postpartum depression, according to a newreport released last month by the Armed Services Health Surveillance Center. Despite the stresses of military life, the rates of postpartum depression for military members or spouses are similar to that of the general civilian population, which range from 8-19 percent, according to figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Understand the risks

Pregnant women and those close to them should understand who is at risk for developing postpartum depression. Lisa Young, a health educator for the Army Public Health Command, explained the risk factors:

· A family or personal history of depression or other mental health conditions can increase risk as much as 30 percent.

· Problems with postpartum depression following previous deliveries. This can raise the risk as much as 70 percent.

· Stressful life events.

· Marriage problems.

· Young age.

· Substance abuse.

Being able to recognize the warning signs of postpartum depression allows women and those who care for them to take action when these signs first occur. "Early identification and treatment are the keys to successful therapy to effectively reduce or eliminate symptoms," Young said.

Know the signs

Many women experience the warning signs in the initial days after giving birth, but these symptoms typically go away within a few days. Postpartum depression is diagnosed only when symptoms are present most of the day, nearly every day, for more than two weeks.

Not all women have exactly the same set of symptoms, and most will not experience all of these symptoms:

· Loss of interest in activities that had been enjoyable.

· Feelings of sadness.

· Difficulty concentrating or making decisions.

· Fatigue.

· Changes in appetite and/or sleep patterns.

· Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

· Feelings of worthlessness or guilty, especially focusing on failure at motherhood.

· Excessive anxiety.

· Frequently focusing on the child's health.

Differentiating between the normal stress of delivery and parenthood and the warning signs of postpartum depression can be difficult. The key is "the degree to which these symptoms impair normal functioning and the length of time these symptoms persist," Young said.

Seek help

She suggested that women talk to their health care provider if they are concerned about their risk for postpartum depression or are experiencing any of the early warning signs. Those at risk should consider getting regularly screened for the condition.

The Defense Department offers resources and support for women who are suffering from postpartum depression, and the Army has a mandatory Postpartum Physical Training Program for pregnant and postpartum service women that addresses the issue.

Help is also available through local military treatment facilities and TRICARE. Military OneSource consultants are also always available at (800) 342-9647. They can refer you to a health care provider.