Post Partum Depression affects the entire family and must be taken seriously. PPD affects the child in many ways – children of women who suffer with PPD are more likely to be anxious and more insecure in their attachments.

I find that women who have had traumatic events in their lives are more likely to suffer from PPD. If there is trauma around the birth of the child, there can also be symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Symptoms of anxiety are passed on to the child from the parents.

Over the years I have noticed that women who have PPD, have had conflicted feelings over the pregnancy, have had difficulties getting pregnant, and have had depressive episodes prior to the pregnancy.

Additonally, when medical intervention is used to get pregnant, there are often emotional and familial stresses that are ignored or buried in the hope that a child would solve all these issues.

Therapy can help sort out these conflicts instead of burying them by using medications. Psychologists and Psychotherapists help manage and reduce symptoms. Psychiatrists who treat anxiety with medication can help refer the patient to therapists. For some, it may take a combination of psychotherapy and medication.

Learn more : http://www.helpguide.org/mental/postpartum_depression.htm