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 Postnatal Depression
Types of Postnatal Depression
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It is important to distinguish postnatal depression (PND) from the 'baby blues' and postnatal psychosis.
The 'baby blues' occur between three and 10 days after giving birth. The 'baby blues' are common and affect around 80 per cent of women. Women with the 'baby blues' may feel tearful and overwhelmed, due to changes in hormone levels following childbirth. The 'baby blues' is common and to be expected following the birth of a baby. The 'baby blues' usually disappear within a few days without treatment, other than support.
PND is the name given to depression that develops between one month and up to one year after the birth of a baby. Postnatal depression affects almost 16 per cent of women in Australia and can begin suddenly or develop gradually.
Postnatal psychosis affects one in 500 women in the first week or so after childbirth. It involves having difficulties thinking clearly (thought disturbance), seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations), feeling everyone is against you (paranoia) and powerful delusions. This is a medical emergency and a doctor should be contacted immediately.
Is PND common?
Very common. Postnatal depression affects almost one in six women giving birth in Australia.
How common is depression?
On average, one in five people will experience depression at some point in their lives - one in four females and one in six males. Around one million Australian adults and 100,000 young people live with depression each year.
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Last updated Thursday, 10 August 2006 |   | 62,079 page views from 07 May 2007 to 03 Sep 2010 |
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