The National Health Service (NHS) lists clinical findings that can help to recognize a woman with postpartum depression.
Onset: usually within 2 weeks of giving birth
Clinical symptoms may include:
(1) hallucinations
(2) delusions
(3) mania or high mood
(4) depression
(5) a mixture of mania or depression, which may rapidly cycle between the two states
(6) loss of inhibitions
(7) feeling suspicious or fearful
(8) restlessness
(9) feeling confused
(10) behaving in a way out of character or incongruent with usual behavior
The differential diagnosis is bipolar disorder, especially when mania is present.
