Postpartum Depression

 

Baby blues and postpartum depression are extremely common following delivery.  Baby blues can occur in 80% of women in the postpartum period.  It usually starts within one week after giving birth.  Symptoms include: drastic mood swings, elation and joy followed by sadness, crankiness, and crying spells.  If you experience these symptoms, be sure to get plenty of rest and eat well.  Be sure to ask family and friends for support and help with the baby and your house.

 

Postpartum depression occurs in 1 out of 10 women in the postpartum period.  It can begin any time after birth, and may appear for up to a year after delivery.  Symptoms include: feelings of despair, extreme weight loss/gain due to appetite changes, difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual, crying spells, withdrawal, and attempts to avoid the baby.  Women with postpartum depression often feel like they don’t want to get out of bed in the morning, like everything is hopeless, like they are staring into a big, black hole, and/or like they don’t want to deal with anyone and wish everyone would leave me alone.  If you experience any of these symptoms, please contact Dr. Dullye’s office. 

 

Postpartum psychosis is a rare disorder that occurs in 1 in 1000 women in the postpartum period.  It usually occurs within two to three weeks after childbirth.  Symptoms include: hallucinations (seeing objects that aren’t really there), delusions, severe insomnia, no interest in eating, extreme anxiety and agitation, suicidal or homicidal thoughts or gestures, and lack of attention to personal hygiene.  If you experience any of these symptoms, please contact us or proceed to the emergency room as soon as possible.  Postpartum psychosis is a severe medical emergency and requires immediate medical attention.  When left untreated, this disorder can have tragic results for both the mother and her child.

 

As stated above, if you are concerned that you may be suffering from postpartum depression or postpartum psychosis, please contact Dr. Dullye’s office.  Other resources that you may contact include:

 

Postpartum Resource Center of Texas (Multi-lingual)

811 Nueces

Austin, TX  78701

1-877-472-1002 – toll-free

www.texaspostpartum.org

 

Mental Health Association of Greater Dallas

624 N. Good-Latimer, Ste. 200

Dallas, TX  75204

214-871-2420

www.mhadallas.org

 

Mental Health Association of Tarrant County

3136 W. 4th Street

Fort Worth, TX  76107

817-335-5405

www.mhatc.org

 

Toll-Free Telephone Assistance Lines:

 

Postpartum Resource Center of Texas (Multi-lingual)

811 Nueces

Austin, TX  78701

1-877-472-1002 – toll free

www.texaspostpartum.org

 

Texas Department of Health Family Health Services, Information & Referral Line

1-800-422-2956

 

2-1-1 Texas

2-1-1 Texas, formerly First Call for Help, is a service for the entire community.  2-1-1 is the new abbreviated dialing code for free, bilingual information and referrals to health and human services and community organizations.

 

On-line Assistance:

https://www.211texas.org/211/index.jsp