Clinical features of postpartum depression

Postpartum depression manifests itself with a complex set of emotional, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms that profoundly affect a woman's life and her family environment. Emotionally, persistent sadness, feelings of emptiness, frequent crying, and lack of enjoyment (anhedonia) even when engaging in activities that were previously pleasurable predominate.

Cognitively, there are persistent negative thoughts, doubts about one's ability as a mother, feelings of guilt, hopelessness, and low self-esteem.

Behaviorally, women may show apathy, social isolation, disinterest in self-care, and interaction with their environment, including their child.

Comorbid anxiety, insomnia, and changes in appetite and sleep patterns

A relevant feature of postpartum depression is its high comorbidity with anxiety disorders, present in up to 50% of cases. Mothers report excessive and constant concerns about the health and well-being of their baby, doubts about their ability to breastfeed, care for, or properly interpret the newborn's signals.

This anxiety can become obsessive, significantly interfering with rest and concentration. Insomnia is a central symptom, not only due to the demands of caring for a newborn, but also as an expression of the anxiety and mental rumination characteristic of the disorder.

In addition, extreme changes in appetite (hyporexia or hyperphagia) and sleep (from insomnia to hypersomnia) may occur, contributing to the mother's physical and emotional deterioration.

Impact on the mother-baby bond and child development

One of the most significant consequences of postpartum depression is its impact on the mother-baby bond. Mothers with depression tend to have difficulty interpreting their child's signals appropriately, which creates a sense of emotional disconnection.

This affects maternal responsiveness, causing the baby to feel unsettled, which in turn can lead to increased irritability, frequent crying, and difficulties in the child's emotional regulation.

Studies show that children of depressed mothers are at greater risk of cognitive development disorders, behavioral difficulties, sleep disorders, and even depressive or anxiety symptoms in later stages.

In addition, these mothers tend to consult pediatricians frequently, not because of actual illnesses in their children, but because of their own untreated anxiety.

Obsessive thoughts, guilt, and emotional disconnection

Another key component in the clinical picture of postpartum depression is obsessive thoug