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Mental Health HomepageConditions LibraryPostpartum DepressionPostpartum DepressionPostpartum Depression
Published On: May 7, 2021
Reviewed On: May 7, 2021
Updated On: April 19, 2023
Overview
What is Postpartum Depression?
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression
If you experience the following symptoms for more than two weeks and they are interfering with your day-to-day life, you may be experiencing postpartum depression:
In addition, if you are experiencing signs of psychosis or mania (hearing voices and experiencing hallucinations), you may be suffering frompostpartum psychosis, a rare but very serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Causes of Postpartum Depression
There are some factors that may make a mother more prone to developing postpartum depression, including:
It’s important to understand that postpartum depression can affect all mothers regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic background, or even the strength of her support system.
How to Treat Postpartum DepressionPostpartum depression can be scary and extremely distressing, both for moms who experience it as well as their loved ones. Sometimes the hardest part of getting help for postpartum depression is reaching out for the first time. Many moms feel completely alone in their emotions, stigmatized, and are ashamed of how they are feeling; this may cause them to delay reaching out for help.But the good news is that once it’s diagnosed, it’s generally quite treatable. Taking an onlinepostpartum depression screeningcan be a great first step in understanding how the condition is impacting you so that you can begin to seek treatment. Postpartum depression is typically treated withtalk therapy— or a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Moms may also find it helpful to join a postpartum depression support group.
How to Treat Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression can be scary and extremely distressing, both for moms who experience it as well as their loved ones. Sometimes the hardest part of getting help for postpartum depression is reaching out for the first time. Many moms feel completely alone in their emotions, stigmatized, and are ashamed of how they are feeling; this may cause them to delay reaching out for help.
But the good news is that once it’s diagnosed, it’s generally quite treatable. Taking an onlinepostpartum depression screeningcan be a great first step in understanding how the condition is impacting you so that you can begin to seek treatment. Postpartum depression is typically treated withtalk therapy— or a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Moms may also find it helpful to join a postpartum depression support group.
TherapyMedicationBuilding a Support System
Therapy
Medication
Building a Support System
Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may refer you to a psychiatrist for prescribed medication. They may prescribe you with common types of medication for depression.
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Convenient and secure therapy for Postpartum Depression
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Frequently Asked QuestionsWhen should someone seek help for postpartum depression?When to see a doctorIf you think you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.When to get emergency helpIf you feel depressed, make an appointment to see your doctor or mental health professional as soon as you can. If you’re reluctant to seek treatment, talk to a friend or loved one, any health care professional, a faith leader, or someone else you trust.Consider these additional options if you’re having suicidal thoughts:Call your doctor or mental health professional.Call a suicide hotline number — in the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). Use that same number and press “1” to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.Reach out to a close friend or loved one.Contact a minister, spiritual leader or someone else in your faith community.If you have a loved one who is in danger of suicide or has made a suicide attempt, make sure someone stays with that person. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Or, if you think you can do so safely, take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should someone seek help for postpartum depression?When to see a doctorIf you think you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.When to get emergency helpIf you feel depressed, make an appointment to see your doctor or mental health professional as soon as you can. If you’re reluctant to seek treatment, talk to a friend or loved one, any health care professional, a faith leader, or someone else you trust.Consider these additional options if you’re having suicidal thoughts:Call your doctor or mental health professional.Call a suicide hotline number — in the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). Use that same number and press “1” to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.Reach out to a close friend or loved one.Contact a minister, spiritual leader or someone else in your faith community.If you have a loved one who is in danger of suicide or has made a suicide attempt, make sure someone stays with that person. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Or, if you think you can do so safely, take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room.
When to see a doctorIf you think you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.When to get emergency helpIf you feel depressed, make an appointment to see your doctor or mental health professional as soon as you can. If you’re reluctant to seek treatment, talk to a friend or loved one, any health care professional, a faith leader, or someone else you trust.Consider these additional options if you’re having suicidal thoughts:Call your doctor or mental health professional.Call a suicide hotline number — in the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). Use that same number and press “1” to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.Reach out to a close friend or loved one.Contact a minister, spiritual leader or someone else in your faith community.If you have a loved one who is in danger of suicide or has made a suicide attempt, make sure someone stays with that person. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Or, if you think you can do so safely, take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room.
When to see a doctor
If you think you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
When to get emergency help
If you feel depressed, make an appointment to see your doctor or mental health professional as soon as you can. If you’re reluctant to seek treatment, talk to a friend or loved one, any health care professional, a faith leader, or someone else you trust.
Consider these additional options if you’re having suicidal thoughts:
If you have a loved one who is in danger of suicide or has made a suicide attempt, make sure someone stays with that person. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Or, if you think you can do so safely, take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room.
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See References
MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health. https://womensmentalhealth.org/specialty-clinics/postpartum-psychiatric-disorders/ Accessed May 2021.
American Psychiatric Association. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/postpartum-depression/what-is-postpartum-depression/ Written October 2020.
Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/postpartum-depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20376617/ Accessed May 2021.
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