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.
See also…
Assessing women for symptoms of perinatal depression
Management of depression in the perinatal period