Postpartum Depression: Exams And Tests

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Exams and Tests

Postpartum depression is a medical condition that requires treatment, not a sign of weakness. It isn't always obvious to an observer, and there are no laboratory tests for depression. This is why it's important that you tell your doctor about your symptoms.

It may be helpful to make a list of postpartum depression symptoms that you can take to your doctor. You don't necessarily have all possible symptoms when you have depression. Regardless of how many symptoms you have, talk to your doctor about any symptoms sooner rather than later, before they get worse. Use this postpartum depression checklist (What is a PDF document?) .

Your doctor will diagnose and recommend treatment for postpartum depression if you've had five or more of the following symptoms (including the first or second) for most of each day over the past 2 weeks:¹

• Depressed mood—tearfulness, hopelessness, and feeling empty inside, with or without severe anxiety
• Loss of pleasure in either all or almost all of your daily activities
• Appetite and weight change—usually a drop in appetite and weight, but sometimes the opposite
• Sleep problems—usually trouble with sleeping, even when your baby is sleeping
• Noticeable change in how you walk and talk—you may seem restless or move very slowly
• Extreme fatigue or loss of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, with no reasonable cause
• Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
• Thoughts about death or suicide

Although the most disturbing symptoms can be the hardest to talk about, it's especially important to tell your doctor about any urges to harm yourself or your baby. If you have compelling thoughts about hurting yourself or others, you must tell your doctor immediately and get treatment.

In addition to screening you for depression, your doctor may also check your thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels to make sure a thyroid problem isn't contributing to your symptoms.

Early Detection

If you have had depression, postpartum depression, or postpartum psychosis before, are now pregnant and have depression, or have bipolar disorder, ask your doctor and family members to watch you closely. Some experts suggest that high-risk women have their first postnatal checkup 3 or 4 weeks after childbirth, rather than the usual 6 weeks.²

Last updated:	June 24, 2008
Author:	Jeannette Curtis
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC