National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Postpartum Depression is the National Institute of Mental Health
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National Institutes of Health
Postpartum Depression
Many new moms feel happy one minute and sad the next. If you feel better after a week or so, you probably just had the "baby blues." If it takes you longer to feel better, you may have postpartum depression.
Postpartum depression can make you feel restless, anxious, fatigued and worthless. Some new moms worry they will hurt themselves or their babies. Unlike the "baby blues," postpartum depression does not go away quickly. Very rarely, new moms develop something even more serious. They may stop eating, have trouble sleeping and become frantic or paranoid. Women with this condition usually need to be hospitalized.
Researchers think that changes in your hormone levels during and after pregnancy may lead to postpartum depression. If you think you have it, tell your health care provider. Medicine and talk therapy can help you get well.
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Start Here
- Depression During and After Pregnancy(Dept. of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health)
- Also available in Spanish
- Postpartum Depression(American Academy of Family Physicians)
- Also available in Spanish
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Overviews
- Postpartum Depression(American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) - PDF
- Postpartum Depression(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Postpartum Depression(Nemours Foundation)
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Latest News
- Postpartum Depression May Lead to Shorter Kids(09/10/2012, HealthDay)
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Treatment
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MedlinePlus: Antidepressants(National Library of Medicine)
- Also available in Spanish
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Psychotherapies(National Institute of Mental Health)
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MedlinePlus: Antidepressants
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Coping
- Postpartum Depression Action Plan(American Academy of Family Physicians)
- Also available in Spanish
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Specific Conditions
- Anxiety During Pregnancy & Postpartum(Postpartum Support International)
- Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)(Postpartum Support International)
- Postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder(Postpartum Support International)
- Postpartum Psychosis(Postpartum Support International)
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Related Issues
- Tips for Postpartum Dads and Partners(Postpartum Support International)
- Understanding Motherhood and Mood - Baby Blues and Beyond(American Academy of Pediatrics)
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Videos
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Postpartum Depression(National Institute of Mental Health)
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Postpartum Depression
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Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Depression, Postpartum(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Depression, Postpartum
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Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
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Directories
- Mental Health Treatment Program Locator(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
- Postpartum Depression: Get Help(Postpartum Support International)
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Organizations
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Patient Handouts
- Postpartum depression
- Also available in Spanish
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Postpartum Depression - Multiple Languages
