Symptoms of perinatal depression

The symptoms of perinatal depression are reflected in the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), which is used as a component of assessment for depressive symptoms.

Women who have symptoms of depression may experience:

  • low mood and/or feeling numb
  • loss of interest in things that would normally be enjoyable
  • feeling inadequate, like a failure, guilty, ashamed, worthless, hopeless, helpless, empty or sad
  • feeling unmotivated and unable to cope with the daily routine
  • insomnia or excessive sleep
  • often feeling close to tears
  • thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

There are also a range of different depressive symptoms that can be associated with other mental health conditions.

Depressive symptoms associated with different mental health conditionsSee also

Assessing women for symptoms of perinatal depression

Management of  depression in the perinatal period

Things to remember about perinatal depression

Help for perinatal patients under Medicare