Diagnosis of Postpartum Depression

When diagnosing postpartum depression it is important to have a holistic understanding of the person experiencing symptoms experience. Elements such as socioeconomic class, race and ethnicity, religions, culture, and sexual orientation play a role in the way people experience postpartum depression as well as the resources they have access to. Because of this, it is incredibly important to take all of these elements into account when diagnosing postpartum depression. The person diagnosing postpartum depression in a patient should either perform or request a general physical examination to see if there are physical illnesses that could contribute to mental health issues. Often this includes blood tests to determine whether or not the mother has an underactive thyroid. Under-active thyroid often contributes to depressive symptoms. Diagnosing postpartum depression also involves doing general intake questions or a depression questionnaire which may include questions about the mother's mood, substance use, mental health history and suicidal thoughts.

It is important when diagnosing postpartum depression that the symptoms are very similar to the “baby blues.” It is extremely common for mothers to feel sadness, anxiety, irritability, confusion, and crying more frequently then they are used to. However, this normally peaks around day four and resolves around day ten. This is also important in terms of patient education. A mother may be experiencing these symptoms but not seek help because she thinks these symptoms will pass and are too common to need medical assistance. 

Another barrier in terms of diagnosis is that mothers may feel shame or embarrassment around their symptoms. Motherhood is often idealized, so feeling anything other than joy or experiencing anything other than bonding with their baby may be a difficult experience to communicate.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/postpartum-depression/basics/tests-diagnosis/con-20029130

http://www.medicinenet.com/postpartum_depression/page3.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/depression/