Anna is a 30-year-old new mother who has had a loss of appetite, extended episodes of crying, and suicidal thoughts since her baby was born 3 months ago. Anna feels guilty about her lack of interest in her child and is considering resuming the antidepressant she took in her early 20s. Anna is likely experiencing ______.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Anna is likely experiencing postpartum depression, which is a common condition that affects new mothers and can cause symptoms such as loss of appetite, extended episodes of crying, and suicidal thoughts. This condition is different from postpartum blues, which is a milder and more common condition that affects up to 80% of new mothers and typically resolves within a few weeks. Postpartum psychosis is a rare and severe condition that can cause hallucinations, delusions, and severe mood swings. Bipolar disorder is a separate mental health condition that is characterized by extreme mood swings between mania and depression, and it may or may not be related to childbirth.

Anna Is a 30-Year-Old New Mother Who Has Had a Loss