For most women having a baby would seem to be the most wonderful and exciting time of their lives. The last thing they might expect is to start feeling depressed. The condition can be severe for some, even leading to suicide. Sometimes called the "baby blues," full blown postpartum depression affects 10 percent to 15 percent of women, but is a condition that can be treated readily if diagnosed and recognized for what it is.

The problem is that the condition often is not recognized even though as many as 85 percent of women experience some form of what is called "postpartum affective instability." Although the mildest form of this condition may pass without treatment, or even be noticed, more severe cases can require intensive care.

Degrees of Severity

While some form of postpartum depression is common, some types are more serious than others. The least dangerous of these is called the postpartum blues. This milder form of depression does not interfere with a woman's ability to function normally or care for her child. This condition is characterized by rapid mood swings and periods of crying. Anxiety or irritability also are common symptoms. Luckily, this condition usually passes, often without treatment.

A more serious form of the malady is straight depression. This condition causes more problems and interferes with a woman's daily life, including caring for her baby. While more serious, this condition also can be more difficult to identify. While the "blues" often hit within the first couple of weeks after childbirth, full blown depression may take months to develop. Unlike the blues, this condition likely requires some form of treatment, usually counseling or antidepressants.

Postpartum Psychosis

The most serious form of postnatal depression is called postpartum psychosis and the symptoms are very severe. This condition is dangerous and can result in suicide or infanticide. The good part is that the condition is very rare and only affects one or two women out of every 1,000. In these cases, the risk to the mother and baby is very high.

Women who experience this condition often require inpatient treatment as it can be accompanied by delusions which might influence the woman to harm herself or the baby. The psychosis usually takes hold within a few days after delivery and the symptoms are dramatic, making the condition easier to identify and treat. In extreme cases, this condition can be treated with electroshock therapy.

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