Health Information
Postpartum Depression
What Increases Your Risk
A risk factor is anything that increases your chances of having a certain problem. Risk factors for postpartum depression include:
- A history of postpartum depression. This puts you at high risk of having it again.
- Poor support from family, partner, and friends.
- High life stress, such as a sick or Reference colicky Opens New Window newborn, financial troubles, or family problems.
- Physical limitations or problems after childbirth.
- Reference Depression Opens New Window during a current pregnancy.
- Previous depression.
- Reference Bipolar disorder Opens New Window, also known as manic-depression. It also increases the risk of dangerous Reference psychotic Opens New Window behavior after childbirth.
- A family history of depression or bipolar disorder.
- Previous Reference premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) Opens New Window, which is the severe type of Reference premenstrual syndrome (PMS) Opens New Window.
Risk factors for Reference postpartum psychosis Opens New Window include:
- A personal or family history of Reference bipolar disorder Opens New Window.
- Previous postpartum psychosis.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference April 16, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Reference Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry |
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