A woman experiences recurrent thoughts of suicide, great sadness, and sleep disturbances. These symptoms began a week after she gave birth and have lasted more than 6 months. This woman is experiencing:

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The symptoms described, including recurrent thoughts of suicide, great sadness, and sleep disturbances beginning a week after childbirth and lasting more than 6 months, are indicative of peripartum depression. This condition can start during pregnancy or within four weeks following delivery, but the duration and severity of symptoms described fit peripartum depression rather than the "baby blues," which are milder and shorter in duration. Postpartum psychosis is a more severe condition characterized by hallucinations, delusions, and confusion, and hormone withdrawal syndrome is not a recognized diagnosis in this context.

A Woman Experiences Recurrent Thoughts of Suicide, Great Sadness, and Sleep