Postpartum depression usually develops between one and three months after childbirth and may last up to a year. The symptoms are typical of depression, although they may take on some coloration from the mother's concern about her baby.
Depressed mothers are tearful, anxious, and easily upset, tired and yet unable to sleep well.
They have many hypochondriacal symptoms. They worry intensely about the baby's health, yet feel guilty about their own inadequacy and lack of love for the baby. They need constant reassurance, respond overanxiously to the baby's cries, and repeatedly ask for help in small matters. Some even have fears that they will harm the baby, although that very rarely happens. Often they are ashamed of their feelings and reluctant to talk about any symptoms except physical ones.