| Postpartum depression is a condition that is | | | | this, the development of PPD is likely. Some |
| primarily seen in women who have just given | | | | studies also indicate that hormone changes in the |
| birth. While it may also be present in men, it is not | | | | body of a woman who has just given birth may |
| as extensive. This disorder is considered to be a | | | | cause PPD, but there are currently no concrete |
| type of major depression, and there are a | | | | facts to support this. When a child is born, both |
| number of ways it can be treated. Postpartum | | | | parents will be responsible for altering their |
| depression is experienced by over 70% of | | | | lifestyle in a way that will benefit the child. In a |
| women who have recently given birth. The | | | | situation like this, some believe that the radical |
| symptoms for this condition may last for hours or | | | | changes that may need to be made to support |
| days, and patients will be irritable, unable to | | | | the infant may play a role in the development of |
| concentrate, and may also experience a loss of | | | | PPD, but there have been now studies which |
| sleep or headaches. The diagnosis for postpartum | | | | have found that this theory is accurate. While it is |
| depression is similar to other forms of major | | | | rare, some women can develop extreme forms |
| depression. However, the difference between PPD | | | | of PPD, and this can lead to delusions or other |
| and other forms of depression is that those who | | | | severe mental health problems. It should be noted |
| are suffering from PPD will typically begin having | | | | that only about 0.1% of women experience this, |
| symptoms a month after they have given birth. | | | | and most women only have moderate forms of |
| In addition to this, the condition may also develop | | | | the disorder. However, a women who has a |
| during the pregnancy as well. Many of the causes | | | | mental illness before you gives birth is very likely |
| of PPD are not well understood. However, there | | | | to develop an extreme form of this condition. |
| are a few factors that are believed to cause the | | | | Studies which have been conducted on animals |
| disorder. One cause is the prenatal depression that | | | | indicate that a parent will not invest in the well |
| may be experienced during pregnancy. A woman | | | | being of their young when costs involved are |
| who has a low self esteem is also at a higher risk | | | | higher than the benefits. Some animals have even |
| for developing PPD. Women who are not receiving | | | | been observed killing or abandoning their offspring. |
| social support, or who are in a bad relationship | | | | Because human babies require so much care, a |
| with their spouse will also have higher chances of | | | | mother who is forced to care for the child on her |
| developing PPD. In addition to this, women who | | | | own may not have the necessary tools to care |
| have previously suffered from depression are | | | | for the child, and may risk harming herself. Many |
| also likely to develop postpartum depression after | | | | of these women may begin to have negative |
| they have given birth. Many women who given | | | | fews of their children, and may not be responsive |
| birth do not have the support of the father, and | | | | to the needs of the child. |
| this person may not be present. In situations like | | | | |