Types of Postpartum Depression
Postpartum Depression (PPD) isn’t a one-size-fits-all term; it encompasses various types of postnatal mood disorders with unique symptoms and treatment needs.
Understanding the different types of PPD—like postpartum anxiety, OCD, or psychosis—can help you or a loved one get the right support to feel better.
What are the Types of Postpartum Depression?
Some of the general symptoms of postpartum depression include sadness, anxiety, and chronic fatigue. However, postpartum depression has a wide variety of symptoms. This is why the medical community has divided the disorder into different categories.
Each type has unique risk factors, signs and symptoms, treatment courses, and progressions. The types are divided by severity and symptoms, ranging from short-term to mild, acute, intense, chronic, and severe.
The different types of postpartum depression are:
- Postpartum Blues (also referred to as “baby blues”)
- Postpartum Anxiety
- Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Postpartum Panic Disorder
- Postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Postpartum Psychosis
It is believed that PPD starts as a result of hormonal changes that new moms experience right after giving birth when their progesterone and estrogen drop rapidly.
This is not to say that PPD cannot affect new fathers as well. Men also experience changes in their hormone levels, as well as social and familial factors, and it is recommended that all new parents are screened for PPD, not just women.
Regardless of the type of postpartum depression a person develops, they are at an increased risk of postpartum depression when certain risk factors are present in their lives or history:
- A history of depression or mental illness before pregnancy
- A family history of depression or PPD
- Breastfeeding
- A lack of familial or social support
- Having a child with health problems or with special needs
- Other recent stressful life events
Postpartum Blues (Baby Blues)
Postpartum blues, also called baby blues, is the most common form of postpartum mood disorder. It affects approximately 50% to 85% of women. Postpartum blues is the mildest form of postpartum depression. It occurs within the first few weeks after delivering a baby and generally only lasts a few hours or days. It goes away completely within about two weeks.
Symptoms of baby blues include:
- Sadness
- Mood swings
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Trouble sleeping
- Trouble eating or eating too much
- Sadness
- Feeling unattached to the new baby
Postpartum blues differs from postpartum depression in that postpartum blues symptoms do not interfere with a woman’s ability to function in everyday life. The symptoms pass quickly and do not leave a lasting impact on the mother or family. Because postpartum blues symptoms are so common, it is considered normal and not serious for postpartum women.
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression is another common mood disorder that women get after giving birth. It has symptoms similar to the baby blues but lasting significantly longer, up to months. It often starts as baby blues and gets more serious over time.
PPD affects roughly 1 in 7 women in the first year after they give birth. If left untreated, it can get worse and more debilitating and can even put the woman at risk for psychosis.
Predominant signs of postpartum depression include:
- Persistent fears and worries
- A depressed mood and mood swings
- Loss of interest in activities or hobbies
- Changes in eating and sleeping habits
- Crying spells
- Nausea
- Feeling sad or worthless
- Difficulty bonding with the baby
Like other types of postpartum depression, these symptoms may last only a few weeks. However, depending on the woman struggling with the condition, they may persist for much longer and eventually turn into major depression. Watch for these signs to differentiate between postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety or other types of postpartum mood disorders.
You may also want to distinguish between the different types of depression women can experience throughout pregnancy:
- Prenatal depression is depression or other disorder that occurs during the pregnancy.
- Perinatal depression is depression that occurs during pregnancy or after the child is born.
- Postnatal depression is depression that happens within the first year after childbirth.
Postpartum Psychosis
Postpartum Psychosis is the most serious form of any postpartum mood disorder, though it is extremely rare. Approximately 1 to 2 mothers out of every 1,000 childbirths will develop postpartum psychosis. Postpartum psychosis generally begins within the first few weeks after delivering the child.
Symptoms of postpartum psychosis included hallucinations, delusional thoughts, extreme agitation, hyperactivity, confusion, and poor judgment.
The behaviors of a woman with postpartum psychosis are comparable to the manic behaviors of someone with bipolar disorder. Women with past histories of bipolar disorder and other psychotic illnesses are at a greater risk of developing postpartum psychosis.
Postpartum psychosis causes mothers to be unaware of their actions and behaviors. Therefore, this disorder presents a serious risk of suicide or infanticide. This risk is about 10%, so immediate treatment—and even hospitalization—are vital.
Other Types of Postpartum Mental Health Conditions
Other types of postpartum mental health conditions are based on anxiety as opposed to depression. Anxiety and depression are, however, very closely linked.
This type of postpartum mental health disorder is also fairly common, as it is estimated that between 11% and 21% of women experience postpartum anxiety after the birth of a child.
Postpartum Anxiety
Postpartum Anxiety Disorder is another common mood disorder developed after giving birth. It often goes undiagnosed because many believe new mothers are naturally anxious. Therefore, some symptoms of postpartum anxiety may seem “normal.” Postpartum anxiety is different from other forms of PPD because its symptoms include far more anxious behaviors than primarily depressed behavior.
Predominant signs of postpartum anxiety include:
- Persistent fears and worries
- High tension and stress
- Inability to relax
- Trouble sleeping
- Racing thoughts
- Difficulty sitting still
- Nausea
- Increased heart rate
Like postpartum depression in general, these symptoms may last only a few weeks. However, depending on the woman struggling with the condition, they may persist for much longer. Watch for these signs to differentiate between postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety or other types of postpartum mood disorders.
Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety mood disorder that affects roughly 3% to 5% of postpartum women.
Symptoms of postpartum OCD include intrusive and persistent thoughts. These thoughts usually involve harming—or even killing—the baby. These thoughts are rarely acted upon because mothers with postpartum OCD are aware of and horrified by the thoughts.
Other behavioral characteristics of postpartum OCD include compulsive habits or obsessions, such as repetitive cleaning and changing of the baby. Because mothers are embarrassed and ashamed by these thoughts and behaviors, postpartum OCD often goes unreported and, therefore, undiagnosed and untreated.
Postpartum Panic Disorder
Postpartum panic disorder is a postpartum mood disorder involving severe anxiety levels. It occurs in up to 10% of postpartum women. Women with postpartum panic disorder suffer from extreme anxiousness and repeated panic attacks.
Symptoms of postpartum panic attacks include:
- Shortness of breath
- Tightening of the chest
- Heart palpitations
- Consistent and excessive worry/fear
These fears generally involve dying, losing control, or going crazy.
Women with a history of severe anxiety and panic attacks are at a greater risk of developing postpartum panic disorder. Thyroid dysfunction can also create a greater risk for postpartum panic disorder.
Postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PPTSD) affects over 9% of postpartum women. Like general PTSD, symptoms of postpartum PTSD result from some real or perceived threat to the mother. This threat or trauma usually occurs during childbirth or shortly after.
Postpartum PTSD traumas may include:
- Birth complications
- The baby being sent to the NICU
- Unplanned C-sections
- Other injuries the woman suffered during delivery
Women who have suffered from other past traumas, including sexual assault or violence, are at a greater risk of developing postpartum PTSD.
Postpartum PTSD symptoms include:
- Reliving the trauma in flashbacks and memories
- Avoiding trauma triggers
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Irritability
- Difficulty sleeping
- Feeling detached or numb to reality
Many women with postpartum PTSD also feel a strong sense of guilt, shame, and self-blame regarding their feelings about their trauma.
Diagnosing Different Types of Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression can only be diagnosed by a licensed healthcare provider or therapist, where you will likely need to take part in a mental health screening.
There is no official tool or test for diagnosing PPD, with the closest being the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, where new moms are interviewed and assessed based on their answers to questionnaires.
To be diagnosed, you will be asked questions such as:
- What symptoms are you experiencing of PPD?
- How long have you been experiencing symptoms?
- Do your symptoms interfere with your life or ability to perform everyday tasks?
You may also be asked to rate your symptoms of anxiety on a scale of 1 through 5.
Treatment for Different Types of Postpartum Depression
The best treatment options for postpartum depression depend on the specific type of postpartum depression that a person has.
- Postpartum blues often do not require professional intervention as long as they are managed and go away within a couple of weeks. Women in this position can often benefit the most from resting, eating well, and accepting help from friends and family members. If it worsens, you may want to consider being assessed by a professional.
- Postpartum depression and anxiety are usually treated with a combination of therapy and medications, such as antidepressant medications or anti-anxiety medications. The most common type of therapy used for these disorders is psychotherapy, or “talk therapy”.
- Postpartum OCD can be treated with a combination of medication and behavioral therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Other types of therapy that are used with OCD include exposure and response prevention (ERP) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
- Postpartum PTSD is typically also treated with a combination of medications and therapy, though it is likely to feature additional therapy in the form of trauma therapy. Therapies that are effective with PTSD include prolonged exposure therapy, narrative exposure therapy, or CBT.
- Postpartum psychosis requires a higher level of care and more immediate treatment, so mothers with this condition may be hospitalized to receive the best care. Mothers with this condition are considered a danger to themselves and their babies, so they must get fast and effective treatment. In addition to being hospitalized, they may also be treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
A treatment that is effective for all types of PPD is support groups, which can be attended either online or in person.
Get Targeted Help for Postpartum Depression
No one should ever have to suffer through postpartum depression alone. Furthermore, no one should ever have to worry about accessing the level of care or treatment that they need for their PPD or related mental disorder.
If you are looking for a PPD therapist in your area, visit PostpartumDepression.org and browse or search our directory of nationwide therapists.
Our directory of compassionate and carefully vetted therapists allows you to search by location, insurance, issue, therapy type, and more. Visit us today to get started.
FAQs on Postpartum Depression Types
What is the most common type of postpartum depression?
The most common type of postpartum depression is the postpartum blues, affecting more than half of women and as many as 85%.
Postpartum blues symptoms are similar to those for postpartum depression; however, they only last for a few days to a couple of weeks.
What symptoms set PPD apart from other types of depression?
PPD is similar to other types of depression. However, the symptoms can be more intense and tend to revolve in some form around the new baby or parenting in general.
Some symptoms that are more specific or pronounced with PPD are crying spells, severe mood swings, feelings of inadequacy, fear of harming oneself or the baby, and having a difficult time bonding with the baby emotionally.
How can you help someone with postpartum depression?
You can help someone with PPD by checking in with them and asking how they are doing, bringing them food, or helping with the baby or other responsibilities to give them time to care for themselves.
You can also help them by connecting them to helpful resources or supporting them in seeking professional help.
