Is It The Baby Blues or Postpartum Depression?
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in Mind and Body, Yates, Andrea, Puryear, Lucy, Understanding Your Moods When You're Expecting, Postpartum Depression
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Remember living without the words "stressed" and "depressed?" It seems that most of society has now become so aware of the conditions, that even our teenagers complain of being stressed or depressed, rather than "stretched for time" or just plain "sad." According to Lucy Puryear M.D., author of Understanding Your Moods When You're Expecting, and witness for the defense in the trial of Andrea Yates, approximately 19 million Americans experience a depressive episode each year. Women seem to be the most effected by true clinical depression, the number estimated at 12 million yearly. One in four will have a depressive episode during her lifetime, some experiencing postpartum depression.
Though all women experience hormonal changes, an estimated 80% of new mothers feel the "Baby Blues." 10% of those women will continue into postpartum depression. What's the difference?
Baby Blues last a short while, up to two weeks after delivery and it feels like PMS. Whereas women with Baby Blues are tired and sleeping, those with postpartum depression usually cannot sleep. Other signs of postpartum depression are lack of appetite, confusion, and fear of harming the baby or one's self.
Signs of increased risk for a postpartum psychiatric disorder during pregnancy:
Previous time of depression during your life.
Depressive symptoms during the third trimester.
Previous occurrence of postpartum depression. (50%-70% greater risk)
Family history of bipolar disorder.
Severe PMS.
Poor marital support.
The key Dr. Puryear says is to educate yourself before delivery. Understand that the body will experience hormonal upheaval, and baby blues are normal for many women, but know the difference between the stress of a new baby and postpartum depression.
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Crayton JW, Walsh WJ. Elevated serum copper levels in women with a history of post-partum depression. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2007; 21(1) :17-21.
Previous observations suggested that there may be an association between elevated serum copper (Cu) levels and post-partum depression (PPD). In this study, we examined Zn and Cu levels in women with completed pregnancies who had a history of PPD and compared them to women who did not have depression, and to women who reported having been depressed, but without a history of PPD. Cu levels were significantly higher in women having a history of PPD compared both to non-depressed women and to depressed women without a history of PPD. The mean serum Cu level of 78 women with a history of PPD was 131+/-39microg/dL compared with 111+/-25microg/dL in 148 women without such a history, and 106+/-20microg/dL in non-depressed controls (p<0.001). Zn levels did not differ across the three groups. Cu/Zn ratios were significantly higher in the PPD-history-positive group, due to the significant differences in Cu levels. Cu and Zn levels were not significantly different in depressed and non-depressed men, nor between non-depressed women and non-depressed men. Depressed women had higher Cu, but not Zn, levels compared with men. The nature of the association between elevated Cu values and PPD is, as yet, unknown; however Cu has roles in a variety of physiological systems that may be implicated in the development of PPD.