Dumb question here....

[veronicalynne]

How do you know if you are just stressed or developing postpartum depression? I lost it today (long story) and am just wondering if it is an effect of trying to do too much/expecting too much of myself with a preschooler, toddler, and fresh new baby not to mention marriage problems.....Is there any way to tell the difference?

[earth_mommy]

It depends on the symptoms you are experiencing. If it just a crying jag, it's probably just the baby blues. For me, it was crying, panic attacks at the thought of going back to work and panic attacks that something was going to happen to my girls. For it to be PPD, it has to be a combination of symptoms. Zoloft has helped me after my last two little ones, I was fine with the first and the second took me completely by surprise, the third I was kind of expecting but it was worse than the second. Which made me realize that her being the last was a good idea (we had some major health concerns with the last pregnancy).

[Teensy]

http://www.ppdsupport.org/
website for the Ruth Rhoden Craven Foundation for Postpartum Depression
one good starting point

It could also be both things - sound like things are rough right now - hope you can find the support you need either way.

[mom0810]

You should take a quiz like the one at www.postpartum.net. THis will help you to see if you have a problem.