By definition depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act.

Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that can affect nearly one in seven mothers after childbirth.

Mothers with postpartum depression experience feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that may make it difficult for them to complete daily care activities for themselves or others.

This type of depression is associated with mood changes and behavior that may be described as “polar opposites.”

* Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed

* Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting

* Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much

* Increase in purposeless physical activity (e.g., hand-wringing or pacing) or slowed movements and speech (actions observable by others)

As we can see, depression comes in all kinds of forms.