Postpartum Depression

What Causes Postpartum Depression?

To successfully treat and prevent recurrence of postpartum depression we need to understand and — if possible — remove the underlying causes and risk factors.  We need to ask: "What else is going on inside the body that might allow postpartum depression to develop?"

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Accurate diagnosis of the factors behind postpartum depression consists of three steps:

Step 1: List the Possible Causative Factors

Identify all disease conditions, lifestyle choices and environmental risk factors that can lead to postpartum depression.  Here are three possibilities:
  • Adrenal Fatigue
  • EFA 3 Need
  • Postpartum Depression

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

Identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:
unusual vaginal bleeding
shingles
unexplained missed periods
difficulty conceiving children
excessive thirst
long-term cortisol use
low diastolic blood pressure
craving for salt
hypoglycemia
prednisone use
poor cold weather tolerance
hair loss on lower legs
... and more than 50 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of postpartum depression:
Cause Probability Status
Postpartum Depression 94% Confirm
EFA 3 Need 24% Unlikely
Adrenal Fatigue 4% Ruled out
* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

In the Emotional Symptoms section of the questionnaire, The Analyst™ will ask the following question about postpartum depression:
Postpartum Depression. Have you experienced depression after childbirth?
Possible responses:
→ No / not applicable / don't know
→ Mild - I had the 'baby blues', disappeared quickly
→ Moderate - I had some trouble bonding with my baby
→ Serious - it was hard to love/care for my child
→ Severe - I had delusions and/or harmed my child
Based on your response to this question, which may indicate either history of 'baby blues' or history of postpartum depression, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:
EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) Type 3 Requirement

Polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid deficiency may contribute to depressive symptoms in alcoholism, multiple sclerosis and postpartum depression.

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