Postpartum depression is more than just the "baby blues"—it's a serious mental health condition that can develop after giving birth, often within the first few weeks but sometimes months later. It can leave new moms feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, and, in many cases, exhausted by intense emotions like sadness and guilt. This is not something that can be shaken off with willpower or a good night's sleep. The good news? Effective treatment options are available, including therapy, medication, and lifestyle support. Seeking help is the first step toward feeling like yourself again, and with the right care, postpartum depression doesn’t have to last forever. But without support, the symptoms can linger, potentially affecting a mom’s well-being and her family relationships for months or even years.
Learn more about postpartum depression symptoms, risk factors, treatments, and more.
What Causes Postpartum Depression?
There is no single or definitive cause of postpartum depression. However, certain psychological, social, and biological stressors that are common in pregnancy and postpartum may contribute:
- Hormones: The dramatic drop in estrogen and progesterone after birth may play a role in feelings associated with PPD. In addition, thyroid hormones may also become imbalanced and impact physical and emotional health.
- Lack of sleep. Sleep deprivation can exacerbate just about any challenge, including mental health
- Increased responsibility: The increased responsibility that comes with caring for a new life can cause intense feelings of concern for their wellbeing, or like a significant weight on your shoulders.
- Loss of self: Some women feel like they have lost themselves in the process of welcoming a baby. They may feel different physically or emotionally, or like their life will never be the same.
Please know that developing postpartum depression, or any perinatal mood and anxiety disorder is not your “fault” or a result of anything you did or did not do.
Who is Affected by Postpartum Depression?
According to the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “the prevalence of PPD appears to peak at 2–6 months following delivery, and as many as 14.5% of postpartum women may experience a new depressive episode within 3 months after delivery.”
However, the reality is that symptoms of PMAD can begin any time during or after pregnancy, including after a loss or while weaning.
How do I Know if I Have Baby Blues?
The baby blues are common in the initial few weeks after childbirth. The baby blues affect between 60 and 80% of new mothers and may include the following symptoms:
- Mood swings
- Feeling sad or anxious, especially by things that wouldn’t normally bother you
- Feeling trapped or overwhelmed
- Having crying spells
- Loss of appetite
- Trouble sleeping
The baby blues usually go away within a few weeks. By contrast, postpartum depression symptoms last longer and are more severe.
Read More: Our Postpartum Guide
How Do I Know if I Have Postpartum Depression ?
Because symptoms can be similar, postpartum depression can be mistaken for baby blues at first. However, when symptoms become more intense, don’t resolve, or interfere with your ability to care for your baby and handle other daily tasks, it is likely to be postpartum depression.
The following symptoms typically start within the first few weeks after giving birth, but they can appear at any time during the perinatal journey:
- Depressed mood or severe mood swings
- Crying too much
- Difficulty bonding with your baby
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Loss of appetite or eating much more than usual
- Inability to sleep, called insomnia, or sleeping too much
- Overwhelming tiredness or loss of energy
- Less interest and pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
- Intense irritability and anger
- Fear that you're not a good mother
- Hopelessness
- Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt or inadequacy
- Reduced ability to think clearly, concentrate or make decisions
- Restlessness
- Severe anxiety and panic attacks
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
- Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
Postpartum Depression Risk factors
Any new mom can experience postpartum depression and it can develop after the birth of any child, not just the first. However, certain factors can increase the risk of postpartum depression:
- Depression before or during pregnancy
- A family history of depression
- Experience with abuse or adversity as a child
- A difficult pregnancy or traumatic birth
- Lack of support from family, friends, or your partner
- Experience with domestic violence
- Relationship struggles
- Stress in your life (e.g., financial challenges, etc.)
- Under the age of 20
- Facing breastfeeding challenges
- A baby who was premature, has special health care needs, or spent time in the NICU
- An unplanned pregnancy
How Long Can Postpartum Depression Last?
One research review found that symptoms of postpartum depression often decreased over time. However, approximately one-third of women with postpartum depression who were not receiving clinical treatment still experienced symptoms and ongoing depression up to three years after giving birth.
Left unaddressed, postpartum depression can last for months or even years. The good news is that different types of treatment are available and effective at helping to vastly improve quality of life.
Complications
Left untreated, postpartum depression can interfere with just about every aspect of life - from relationships to career. Postpartum depression can also have a ripple effect, impacting the mental health of close family and friends.
Postpartum depression can also impact bonding between mother and baby in infancy, as it can cause maternal disengagement during the sensitive developmental period of early life.
Of course, severe depression can escalate to include intrusive or suicidal thoughts. There is nothing to be ashamed of - getting help is critical.
When to see a doctor
Reach out for support if your symptoms of depression:
- Don't decrease after 2-4 weeks;
- Get increasingly worse;
- Make it hard for you to care for your baby or complete daily tasks; and/or
- Include thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.
You can contact your healthcare provider, or call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). It is a free and confidential mental health support line open 24/7 for moms and their families before, during, and after pregnancy.
How is Postpartum Depression Treated?
Treatment for postpartum depression looks different for everybody, which is why it is important to work with a trusted provider to guide your journey. Some of the different tools that can be used alone or together include the following:
- Therapy: Counseling sessions include meetings (virtual or in person) with a mental health professional who is experienced in working with postpartum women.
- Support groups: Support groups include other women experiencing PPD and can provide an outlet to talk as well as a community of support to help you feel less alone.
- Self-care: It sounds trite, but it is true. Taking care of yourself can help you feel more like yourself. Work with your partner and others close to you to carve out some time to get some rest, eat nourishing food, and engage in gentle movement. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
- Medication: In some cases, medicine may be prescribed to help manage symptoms. These may take several weeks to start working.
