Following childbirth it is natural for women to feel low moods. This can be mild, normal or severe. About 10 to 15% of mothers feel post natal depression. For something like substance induced depression symptoms, you are feeling low and tearful, irritability, anxiety, lack of appetite etc. Postnatal depression occurs in mothers with previous history of the same. It is good to meet the doctor at the early signs of postnatal depression. The doctor will run a postnatal depression test by asking a series of symptomatic questions. It is more like a screening quiz. The doctor will decide on how severe the case is and prescribe a line of treatment accordingly.  The likely questions in this screening quiz goes like this:- •    Signs of irritability, depression or crying a lot •    Lack of energy •    Not able to sleep even if very tired •    Overeating and gaining weight •    Lack of interest in sex or pleasure activities •    Feeling guilty •    Headaches, chest pains, hyper ventilation The doctor will go on to the next step depending on how the answers are.  Although the exact trigger for postnatal depression symptoms is not known hormonal changes can be one good reason. During pregnancy the levels of the estrogen and progesterone increase and it falls rapidly 24 hours after birth and continues to do so. Doctors feel this could be one reason. Once you go through postnatal depression test, doctors will begin the treatment accordingly. The treatment is based on how severe the ...

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