During the postpartum period, approximately 85% of women experience some type of mood disturbance. Even those women who have never suffered from a mental illness can experience the after-effects of the postpartum period. Many women suffer from what is known as "baby blues," which is a feeling of sadness and anxiety that occurs in the first couple of weeks after delivery. However, some women go on to experience more serious conditions.  
 
Women are often afraid to seek help for their postpartum mental illness. Some women fear that they will be seen as weak and unable to care for their child. Other women fear that efforts to seek help could even lead to their children being taken away from them. However, it is important that we recognize the various types of postpartum mental illness and that greater awareness of these conditions can help women.
 
Postpartum Depression
 
Postpartum depression usually appears during the first few months but can appear at any time after delivery. Some women even experience depressive symptoms during pregnancy. It is clinically indistinguishable from other types of depression and includes symptoms such as: