Postpartum depression or a post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD?
Sometimes we aren’t even aware that we’re experiencing symptoms that could be categorized as depression or PTSD. We may feel that something isn’t right, or we just don’t feel like ourselves. We may feel moody, unattached, hopeless, sad, or are having trouble sleeping. All of these symptoms could be attributed to depression or PTSD.
Approximately 30% of women experience some symptoms of postpartum or postnatal PTSD, while about 4% of these develop diagnosed PTSD. With 4 million live births occurring each year in the United States, this represents 160,000 women. Seventy to eighty percent of women will experience “baby blues”, temporary feelings of depression, while as many as 15%, 600,000 U.S. women, will develop postpartum depression.
But how do you know whether what you are experiencing is postpartum depression or PTSD?
PTSD occurs when a person has been exposed to a traumatic event and responds with fear, feelings of helplessness, and/or horror. Trauma in birth settings can be physical or medically related or caused by emotional trauma surrounding fear for yourself or your baby, being treated offensively, or experiencing a birth outcome that wasn’t what you prepared for. Loss of a child, complicated deliveries involving invasive medical procedures, and/or attitudes of medical workers towards a mother and/or her support can all cause birth PTSD.
People with PTSD have symptoms that can be grouped into four different categories. They may have one or more of these types of symptoms to varying degrees. The first is intrusive memories where the person may have reoccurring, unwanted vivid memories of the traumatic event, flashbacks of the event, upsetting dreams, or have severe emotional distress or physical reactions when reminded of the event.
The second category is avoidance. The person may try to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event. This can be especially complicated for new mothers who associate their babies, hospitals, doctors, and/or support people with the trauma. The person may try to avoid places, activities, or people that remind them of the traumatic birth.
The third category is physical and emotional reactions. These can include being easily startled or frightened, always feeling on guard, having trouble sleeping and concentrating, irritability with angry outbursts or aggressive behavior, overwhelming guilt or shame, and/or self-destructive behaviors such as drinking too much or driving too fast.
The fourth category is negative changes in mood or thoughts. One may experience negative feelings and thoughts about themselves or others, like caregivers, support people, or their baby. They may feel hopeless, detached, lack interest in once-loved activities, feel emotionally numb, or not be able to experience positive feelings. People with PTSD may have difficulty maintaining relationships and feel detached from family and friends.
This fourth category is where symptoms of PTSD and postpartum depression can overlap. Postpartum depression is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Changing hormones and physical and emotional demands of mothering a new baby that occur after a birth all contribute to development of postpartum depression.
You may have postpartum depression if your “baby blues” last longer than two-three weeks after giving birth. You may feel persistently sad, anxious, or empty, irritable, worthless, hopeless, helpless, restless, have trouble concentrating, with memory, or making decisions, have difficulty sleeping, experience appetite changes, or lose interest in once-loved past times.
PTSD and postpartum depression are both treatable conditions. Getting help for depression and PTSD is crucial. PTSD as well as depression can separate a mother from child and support, causing harm to the whole family. If you or your partner are having symptoms of depression or had a traumatic birth, whether emotional or physical, talk to your healthcare provider or mental health professional.
If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts, get help right away through one or more of these resources:
- Reach out to a close friend or loved one.
- Contact a minister, a spiritual leader, or someone in your faith community.
- Call a suicide hotline number — in the United States, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) to reach a trained counselor.
- Make an appointment with your doctor or a mental health professional.
- Call 911
Danielle Older, MSW, LISW-S, CCTP
Danielle is one of our maternal mental health therapists and the founder of River Root Counseling. Her therapeutic style is individual, evidence-based, and unique to best serve each individual client. Danielle will work with you, at your pace, cheering you on and empowering you as you accomplish your therapeutic goals. Danielle values the therapeutic relationship and works to make each session beneficial and helpful for her clients. Danielle is a mother herself, and understands the roller coaster that parenting and motherhood can sometimes feel like.
Licensed Independent Social Worker with Supervision Designation (Ohio) – I.2002068-SUPV
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
Bachelor’s of Social Work – University of Akron
Master’s in Social Work – Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
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