22 Symptoms of “Baby Blues” and Postpartum Depression (PPD)

These symptoms of “baby blues” vary and usually last a few days to a week and a half.

• Anxiety
• Sadness
• Irritability
• Crying
• Headaches
• Exhaustion
• A sense of inadequacy

If the symptoms are more intense and last over two weeks, eventually interfering with your ability to function, you could be experiencing postpartum depression (PPD). PPD symptoms, In addition to those of baby blues’, include the following:

• Constant fatigue
• Lack of joy in life
• A sense of emotional numbness or failure
• Withdrawal from family and friends
• Lack of concern for yourself or your baby, or, inversely, excessive concern for your baby
• Sizeable loss in sex drive
• Severe mood swings
• Impaired thinking or concentration
• Insomnia
• Common approaches or treatment for PPD include the following:
• Creating a supportive environment for the mother
• Support groups
• Counseling
• Psychotherapy
• Medication

How long PPD persists depends on how early it is detected and on the treatment given—but full recovery can be expected.

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