PPD Defined
PPD is characterized by sadness or loss of interest, in
addition to poor concentration, appetite disturbance,
sleep defi cit beyond that required for care of the baby,
lack of or excessive concern for the baby, constant
fatigue, anxiety, or irritability.Symptoms tend to fl uctuate,
with the predominant symptom often being anxiety.
Symptoms of PPD present within the fi rst four weeks
following childbirth.2 As defi ned by the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition,
Text-Revision, PPD is not a discrete disorder, but a subcategory
of major depressive disorder