• A persistent sad, anxious or "empty" mood
• Sleeping too much or too little, early-morning awakening
• Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased appetite and weight gain
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, including sex
• Restlessness, irritability, or excessive crying
• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
• Feeling guilty, hopeless, worthless, helpless, or pessimistic
• Fatigue or loss of energy, feeling "slowed down"
• Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

If you experience several of these symptoms for longer than a couple of weeks or, if the symptoms are severe enough to interfere with your daily routine, it's time to seek help.

The Pacific Post Partum Support Society provides support for women experiencing postpartum depression. This consists of telephone support, weekly support groups, partners' information sessions and printed information.