What is Postpartum Depression?

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a severe mood disorder that causes mothers to have feelings of intense sadness, worry, exhaustion, worthlessness, and even anger after their new baby is born. Sometimes confused with “baby blues,” postpartum depression affects almost 15% of women after childbirth. If you or your loved one struggles with suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255.

Learn about Postpartum Depression

Do I have PPD?

There is no single universal way doctors diagnose postpartum depression. However, various signs, symptoms, and assessments can confirm if you are suffering from PPD and reveal the severity of your condition. If you are wondering if you might have postpartum depression, learn ways you can get diagnosed.

How PPD is Diagnosed

Can PPD be Treated?

Postpartum Depression is a treatable women’s health condition. A combination of therapy and antidepressant medications can be useful in helping you manage your PPD symptoms and overcome your condition. With treatment, you can make it through this challenging period and fight back against PPD.

Learn About PPD Treatments

How Can I Get Support?

Postpartum depression is a confusing and often debilitating disease. Treatment can help you manage symptoms, but emotional support options (like support groups) or psychotherapy (such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) can help you cope with the mental and emotional turmoil that comes with PPD.

Learn About PPD Support

About Postpartum Depression (PPD)

Postpartum depression (PPD) creates feelings of anxiety and depression. PPD also hinders a mother’s ability to care for her child after birth. Understanding the symptoms of postpartum depression can help you determine whether you need to seek medical or social support.

What is Postpartum Depression?

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious mood disorder that affects new moms after childbirth. Postpartum depression creates feelings of sadness, anxiety, depression, and exhaustion. PPD is more common amongst women with a family history of depression or pre-existing mental illness, such as chronic depression or bipolar disorder.

Learn About PPD

What Causes Postpartum Depression?

Postpartum depression has physical and emotional causes. The drastic changes in hormone levels a mother experiences following childbirth, birth complications/traumatic birth experiences, and genetic predisposition are common causes of PPD. Preexisting mental disorders can also lead to an increased risk of postpartum depression.

Causes and Risks of PPD

Signs & Symptoms of Postpartum Depression

If you believe that you or a loved one is suffering from postpartum depression, it is helpful to learn about the signs and symptoms. Common side effects of PPD include changes in personality, mood, and behaviors—from mood swings and trouble sleeping to major depression and suicidal thoughts.

Signs & Symptoms of PPD

Types of Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression does not always equate to sadness. There are multiple types of perinatal depression with varying degrees of severity, such as postpartum panic disorder, or postpartum psychosis. Each type has unique risk factors, signs, symptoms, treatments, and progressions.

More About PPD Types

Get Answers to Your Postpartum Depression Questions

Support for Family Members and Friends

It can be extremely difficult to watch someone struggle with postpartum depression. You may feel shocked, confused, or helpless. These are natural reactions when the mental and emotional well-being of your loved one is at stake. Learn how you can help your loved one and get the support you need.

Partners

It can be extremely painful for partners to watch their loved one struggle with postpartum depression. Numerous support resources are available to spouses and partners who are struggling to cope with their loved one’s condition.

More Info For Partners

Parents

Parents may feel overwhelmed as they work to determine the best way to help their daughter who is struggling with PPD. Parents can show support by offering to help, staying in touch, and more.

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Siblings

Siblings may find it difficult to cope if their sister is experiencing postpartum depression. Understanding the disorder and knowing the resources available to mothers can help siblings offer support.

More Info For Siblings

Friends

It is normal for friends to feel concerned for their female friend after a PPD diagnosis, as well as worry about what they can do to provide support. Staying connected can help friends support the new mother and her child.

More Info For Friends

Find More Helpful Resources for Supporting Your Loved One

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Treatment and Recovery

Postpartum depression treatments generally include a combination of therapy with a psychiatrist or psychologist and prescription medications such as antidepressants. Learn about available treatment options and long-term recovery.

Therapy

Therapy is just one aspect of effective postpartum depression recovery treatment. Therapy is essential to recovery because it helps mothers address and manage the symptoms and underlying causes of their condition.

More About Therapy

Medication

Medications significantly help reduce and manage postpartum depression symptoms. Antidepressants are often prescribed by a licensed health care provider to treat PPD. Many antidepressant medications are safe to use even while breastfeeding.

More About Medication

Long-Term Recovery

It is important to remember that recovering from postpartum depression takes time, but it is almost always possible. Long-term recovery may involve ongoing treatment, family support, coping skills, and regular self-care.

More About Recovery

Psychologist vs Psychiatrist

Both psychologists and psychiatrists provide mental health support such as talk therapy to mothers struggling with PPD. However, the approaches and limitations of these mental health professionals are different. Learn about the pros and cons of both.

Psychologists vs Psychiatrists

Learn More About How PPD is Treated

Learn About PPD Treatments

Read Our PPD Story

Why We Created PostpartumDepression.org

PostpartumDepression.org was founded and inspired by Chris and Jenna Carberg. In just two short days following the birth of their daughter Elsie, Chris began to see changes in his wife’s mood and behavior. Following a serious postpartum depression diagnosis, the couple has made it their mission to encourage women and educate families.

All website content has been reviewed by Dr. Kimberly Langdon, and we regularly make updates to provide the newest information about postpartum depression, anxiety, panic, and psychosis.

Read Our PPD Story

Postpartum Depression Quiz

There are ways to help predict whether or not you are at risk of developing postpartum depression. Postpartum depression and its many types are serious conditions. It is important to recognize signs, symptoms and risk factors as soon as possible.

Take Our Quiz Now

Quote from Gwyneth Paltrow, Actress
“When my son, Moses, came into the world in 2006, I expected to have another period of euphoria following his birth. Instead, I was confronted with one of the darkest and most painfully debilitating chapters of my life.”