it is important to distinguish this normal
experience of the baby blues from
postnatal depression.
There are actually three different types of
depressive illness which can occur at this
time:
• Baby blues occur within the first two
weeks of giving birth. Most mothers get
it about the same time as they start to
lactate, a few days after the birth. it is
short lived, usually lasting no more than a
few days, but the feelings of weepiness,
depression and irritability can be quite
intense. the blues may be connected
with the sudden hormone changes that
occur when a woman gives birth.
• When these feelings persist or anxiety
sets in, then the disturbance has moved
into the area of postnatal depression.
• Puerperal (or postnatal) psychosis on the
other hand is a very rare, severe
psychiatric disturbance, where the
mother will lose concept of reality.
She may experience delusions and/or
hallucinations, yet be unaware that
these states are not reality. these may
endanger her life or her child's. Psychosis
requires immediate medical intervention
as it does not pass of its own accord.
CHAPTER 1: WHAT IS POSTNATAL DEPRESSION?
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