Postpartum Depression & Perinatal Mood Disorders (PPD) You are not alone It is not your fault With help, you will get better Any woman can suffer from PPD. With informed care, you can prevent your symptoms from worsening, and you will get completely well. In the past five years, I have added this specialization to my practice in order to bring more awareness, education, and care to a field that has been given minimal attention in the past. You no longer have to suffer alone with guilt, shame, fear and confusion about your feelings, thoughts, and symptoms. Does this sound familiar to you . . . Common "Red Flag" Statements — from Mothers I don't feel like myself. I feel irritable and tense. I can't connect to my baby. I'm unhappy most of the time. I feel out of control, or like I'm going crazy. The baby would be better off without me. Common "Red Flag" Questions — from Families Do you feel like she is a different person and may never be the same again? Do you think she is having problems adjusting? Are you concerned something is wrong, but you don't know what to do or how to help? . . . If you or someone you love appears to be suffering from PPD, you need and deserve help and support. Please contact: Postpartum Support International (PSI) www.postpartum.net 1-800-944-4773 And ask your doctor to refer you to a trained postpartum professional in your area. . . . Remember that Dads can suffer from PPD, too. Risk Factors for PPD Family history of PPD History of infertility or infertility drugs Sensitivity to birth control pills History of depression or anxiety Stressful life events Inadequate support system Multiple births Child care stress Past or present physical or sexual abuse Sleep deprivation Premenstrual dysphoric disorder and PMS The PPD Constellation Postpartum Depression / Anxiety  — affects about 15% of mothers. Symptoms include: excessive worry sadness irritability fatigue inability to experience joy disturbed sleep or appetite loss of concentration or focus lack of feelings of discomfort around their baby. Postpartum Panic Disorder  — affects about 11% of mothers. Symptoms include: feeling very nervous excessive worries and fears recurring panic attacks, including shortness of breath chest pains heart palpitations Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder – affects 3-5% of moms. Symptoms include: persistent thoughts or mental images related to the baby doing things over and over again to reduce the fears and obsessions a sense of horror about the obsessions. These mothers know their thoughts are bizarre, and they are very unlikely to act on them. Postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder — affects 1-6% of moms. Symptoms include: intrusive thoughts and dreams about the experience exaggerated startle response hypervigilance flashbacks nightmares fears avoiding the traumatic stimulus History of past traumatic experiences increases the risk of PTSD. A traumatic childbirth and health issues for mom or baby also increases the risk of PTSD. Postpartum Psychosis  — affects 1-2 women per 1,000 births. 10% infanticide / suicide rate Symptoms include: delusions visual or auditory hallucinations extreme mood swings confusion paranoia Postpartum Psychosis is a MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Immediate treatment is imperative.