Table 1.

Summary of prevalence, onset, duration, and symptoms associated with postpartum mental illnesses.

Disorder	Prevalence	Onset	Duration	Symptoms
Baby blues	80%	Within 2–3 days after giving birth	Up to 2 weeks	Mood swings, Anxiety, Crying, Sleep disturbances
Postpartum depression	10–20%	Longer and more intense than baby blues; May start within a few weeks after giving birth, or later, up until a year after	Months or longer	Mood swings, Anxiety, Crying, Anger, Irritability, Hopelessness, Anhedonia, Trouble concentrating, Thoughts of harming baby, Disinterest/inability to bond with baby, Sleep disturbances, Appetite and weight changes
Postpartum anxiety (generalized, panic disorders, OCD)	10–20%	May start within a few days after giving birth, or later, up until a year after	Months or longer	Panic and fear, Feeling on-edge, Trouble concentrating, Thoughts that are: overwhelming, racing, uncontrollable and illogical, Fear and irrational thoughts centered often around baby, Sleep disturbances, Rapid heartbeat
Postpartum psychosis	Rare; 1:1,000 births	Within 1st week, often within 72 hours, after giving birth	Most severe symptoms last 2–12 weeks, 6–12 months to fully resolve	Mood swings, Hyperactivity, Irritability, Paranoia, Suspiciousness, Hallucinations, Delusions, Difficulty communicating, Sleep disturbances