[alteregoeleanore]

Postpartum Depression affects 10-28% of new mothers. It can begin days, weeks, or months after delivery. Symptoms may include:

insomnia
exhaustion
excessive sleeping but still feeling exhausted
changes in appitite
loss of sexual interest
crying spells without obvious cause
feelings of guilt
sadness
anger
feelings of despair and/or worthlessness
may become forgetful
difficulty making decisions
poor concentration

Research is ongoing into the causes of Postpartum Depression. Contributing factors may be physiological, sociological, psychological, and genetic.

Treatment for Postpartum Depression can be as varied as the symptoms. Common approaches include:

Creating a supportive environment for the mother
Self-Care
Support groups
Counselling
Psychotherapy
Medication
The duration of a Postpartum depression will depend upon how quickly the condition was recognized and treatment given, but full recovery can be expected.