Perinatal Mood Disorder

There are several different perinatal mood disorders, of which the most well-known is Postpartum Depression (PPD). Another one, even more devastating than PPD, is Postpartum Psychosis (PPP), made more well-known by recent cases in the media, such as Andrea Yates' case. PPP can occur when PPD has gone on untreated for far too long.

The lesser-known perinatal mood disorders include: Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Postpartum Panic Disorder, and Postpartum Anxiety Disorder.

People, and sadly, the medical establishment, still refer to PPD as being the "Baby Blues." This is SO not the case. Personally, I don't believe that there's such a thing as the "Baby Blues." I think historically that term has been used to brush off the massive hormonal fluctuations during the postpartum period as being fleeting and trivial. Like we're all supposed to shed a few tears at the changes caused by motherhood, but then get over it and focus on being a glowing, happy new mother cooing with the new baby. Yeah, right.

Who else wishes that the term "Baby Blues" would be erased from our vocabulary??

Kristin Park
http://ppdsurvivor.blogspot.com