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.

Low Adrenal Function / Adrenal Insufficiency

Tendency Toward Postpartum Depression

Concerned or curious about your health? Try The Analyst™