Understanding Postpartum Depression

With such a big change comes something as important to be cared for as the newborn: postpartum depression (PPD). Most families avoid talking about it, try to ignore it, and even blame mothers for being depressed. 

Bringing a new child into the world can bring joys that a parent considers the greatest of their life. The feeling of their hand, so small and soft, wrapping around yours, invokes the feelings of calm and love that nothing compares to. They are what we wished and waited for since their conception.

As a parent, we want the absolute best for this new life that we are responsible for. While you excitedly await the day they are ready to enter the world. We do all that we can to prepare. We eat right, sleep well, avoid all of the wrong, and welcome all that is healthy and beneficial. Soon, the day you have waited for has arrived. 

Suddenly, we find ourselves faced with new obstacles. Such a big change can evoke a well-known, though often overlooked, challenge just as important to be tended to as the newborn: postpartum depression (PPD). Most families avoid talking about it, try to ignore it, and even blame mothers for their depressed behavior. However, PPD can happen to any parent, for many reasons.

So let's talk about it. Bring a subject often kept in the shadows to light and better understand why this occurs. 

Symptoms: Postpartum Depression is a Form of Clinical Depression

Postpartum depression is a form of clinical depression that occurs after childbirth, typically within the first year (Postpartum depression: Causes, symptoms & treatment 2025). It’s more serious and longer-lasting than the common “baby blues.” Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or excessive crying is one symptom that can result from either severe mood swings or an all-day depressed mood.

Parents can also experience a loss of interest in activities that they once enjoyed. This can be an overall loss in feeling excitement or enjoyment in their daily life. With more frustration and a negative mindset, parents can find it difficult to bond with their baby. As a result, inability to bond with their baby can fuel their depressed mood even more. Most parents experience the next symptom, but many in postpartum depression have observed to face extreme fatigue, and changes in their sleep or appetite.

Although uncommon, postpartum depression can eventually evolve into postpartum psychosis wherein the parent experiences severe anxiety, panic and intrusive thoughts. In this state, parents can have recurring obsessive thoughts about their baby, hallucinations and paranoia, and even make attempts to harm themselves or the baby (Postpartum depression 2022).

These symptoms can happen to any new parent (biological, adoptive, or surrogate), and they’re not an indication of weakness or bad parenting. PPD affects around 1 in 7 new mothers, and while it’s less common in partners, it still occurs (Postpartum depression: Causes, symptoms & treatment 2025).

Postpartum Depression isn’t just the “Baby Blues”

“Baby blues” are known to be intense anxiety, excessive crying, and severe mood swings immediately after birth. However, these are temporary, hormonal outcomes that dissipate after the mother’s hormones are stabilized in the next few days postpartum. Most families tend to confuse baby blues and postpartum depression as the same phenomenon. In this sense, if one has postpartum depression, some may say that it is temporary and everyone feels this way after birth. This is a common misconception, and it should be noted that postpartum depression is more severe and can be experienced long-term.

Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in the United States; nearly 1 in 5 adults report a lifetime diagnosis of depression. Women, especially young adults, have a higher prevalence than men (Lee et al., 2023). 

Because of this higher likelihood, the postpartum period, being a time of immense hormonal, emotional, and lifestyle change, can intensify depressive symptoms. Untreated PPD doesn’t just go away. It can affect not just the parent but even the infant. It can affect newborn development and behavior because babies can experience neglect and observe their parents’ negative mindset as they develop.

This can even lead to the child experiencing anxiety as they grow up in the household. With such a disconnect within the parents’ well-being, the bonding between parent and infant can be hindered. Chronic depression will also have a higher risk of developing from such a mindset and low-support environment. If left untreated, there can be serious outcomes for both the parent and child that can occur. 

Early recognition and intervention are crucial (Lee et al., 2023). Therefore, there should be more awareness on the difference between “baby blues” and postpartum depression due to the large gap in severity.

Is Postpartum Depression Genetic or Situational?

Anyone can experience postpartum depression, it doesn’t confine itself to just situational or genetic factors. However, the risk of PPD can increase from such aspects. What makes me a high risk individual for PPD? Firstly, having a history of depression or anxiety with oneself or even in the family can be a significant genetic factor for developing PPD.

In most cases of depression, approximately 50% can be accrued to genetics whereas the other 50% can be completely uncorrelated with genetics. Having an extremely negative and low mental wellbeing can be improved significantly with good social support, but individuals with low social support or high stress are also more likely to develop PPD. Additionally, difficult pregnancies and birth complications can cause the parents to blame themselves during postpartum recovery.

Any financial stress/strain or relationship challenges can add another layer of instability in an individual’s life due to a lack of community or partner support. Sleep deprivation can reduce physical wellness of the parent and drastically reduce recovery from the birth, hence adding onto stressors on the parents’ wellbeing. Studies also show that biological, psychological, and social factors all interact in complex ways to influence risk (Tambelli et al., 2025).

Postpartum Depression is Treatable

1. Therapy

Talk therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT) are broadly supported. They help individuals understand and change unhelpful thought patterns and improve stress management (Radoš et al., 2025). Therapy also provides a non-judgemental space to reflect on and process changes in body, identity, and relationships. This can help lift much of the emotional burden felt in new motherhood.

2. Medication

Antidepressants can be used alone or in combination with therapy. Many are considered safe during breastfeeding when guided by a physician (Tambelli et al., 2025). Taking medication can be significantly beneficial for those whose symptoms interfere with daily functions.

3. Support Groups and Peer Support

Connecting with others going through similar experiences, online or in person, can reduce feelings of isolation and help normalize the journey. This form of treatment helps individuals realize that their postpartum depression is valid and does not indicate them being a failure in any aspect.

4. Lifestyle Supports

Stable routines, sleep when possible, gentle activity, and practical help such as household support, all serve an important role in recovery. With such added lifestyle support, it can lessen the emotional burden and overstimulation one often feels in the newborn stages. This provides room for more healing to occur and allows the individual to more easily meet their daily goals.

Newer research explores biological targets like oxytocin, but more research is needed before these are routine treatments in practice (Qi et al., 2025).

Can Postpartum Depression be Prevented?

We still don’t have a guaranteed way to prevent PPD, but there are proven strategies that reduce risk and support early detection:

1. Counseling Interventions

Programs using CBT or IPT during pregnancy and early postpartum can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing PPD, especially in people at higher risk (Radoš et al., 2025).  With early detection of PPD, through counseling, individuals can build coping strategies and healthier habits to introduce into their lifestyle earlier on.

2. Screening During Pregnancy and After Birth

Routine mental health screening, including validated tools like the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), helps identify at-risk individuals so care can be offered early (MGH Center for Women's Mental Health, 2021). Having detection earlier in the pregnancy, earlier intervention can occur and will allow for improved maternal and neonatal care before the symptoms/progression worsen.

3. Psychological, Educational & Social Support

A 2024 preventive study identified four promising areas: psychological education, social support, maternal-infant interventions, and community resources, all helping create a safety net before symptoms worsen (Tessema et al., 2024). This shows that postpartum mental health is influenced by a variety of factors including individual, social, and environmental factors.

4. Prenatal Psychoeducation

Group classes connecting expectant parents, offering education and shared experience, have shown significant reductions in postpartum depressive symptoms (Tessema et al., 2024). With these classes, it can ameliorate normalization of emotions felt peripartum, provide a community for parents to share problems or concerns with, and even promote confidence in new parents.

5. Peer & Professional Support Programs

Home visits, telephone support, and structured psychosocial programs are shown to reduce the incidence of PPD in several randomized trials (MGH Center for Women's Mental Health, 2021). Keeping constant check-ups will allow for new parents to feel a greater sense of reassurance, trust, and accountability in their roles and responsibilities.

Get the Care You Deserve

Postpartum depression is common, but it’s not inevitable, and it’s not something you have to endure alone. Early recognition, compassionate support, and speaking with a physician for treatment can make all the difference for new parents and their families (Postpartum depression: Causes, symptoms & treatment 2025). Regular, moderate exercise, both before and after birth, has emerging evidence for reducing depression symptoms and might help lower PPD risk (Nadal, 2023).

If you or someone you love is struggling, reach out to a healthcare provider. Support exists, and recovery is possible.

References

1. Dennis, C.-L., & Dowswell, T. (2013). Psychosocial and psychological interventions for preventing postpartum depression. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2013(2). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd001134.pub3

2. Genetics of Brain Function. (n.d.). Major Depression and Genetics. https://med.stanford.edu/depressiongenetics/mddandgenes.html#:~:text=Heritability%20is%20probably%2040%2D50,(psychological%20or%20physical%20factors). 

3. Lee, B., Wang, Y., Carlson, S. A., Greenlund, K. J., Lu, H., Liu, Y., Croft, J. B., Eke, P. I., Town, M., & Thomas, C. W. (2023). National, state-level, and county-level prevalence estimates of adults aged ≥18 years self-reporting a lifetime diagnosis of depression — United States, 2020. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 72(24), 644–650. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7224a1

4. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, November 24). Postpartum depression. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/postpartum-depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20376617

5. MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health. (2021, April 29). Essential reads: Strategies for the prevention of postpartum depression - MGH center for women’s mental health. MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health - Perinatal & Reproductive Psychiatry at Mass General Hospital. https://womensmentalhealth.org/posts/prevention-of-postpartum-depression-2/

6. Nadal, E. (2023, November 30). Is exercise the key to preventing and treating postpartum depression?. Parents. https://www.parents.com/new-study-shows-exercise-could-help-prevent-ppd-8408358/

7. Postpartum depression: Causes, symptoms & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. (2025, July 11). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9312-postpartum-depression

8. Qi, W., Huang, S., Zhao, J., Cui, X., Wei, Z., Cui, G., Guo, Q., & Hu, J. (2025). The preventive effect of psychological and psychosocial interventions on postpartum depression: An overview of Systematic Reviews. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 182, 21–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.11.050

9. Radoš, S. N., Ganho-Ávila, A., Rodriguez-Muñoz, M. F., Bina, R., Kittel-Schneider, S., Lambregtse-van den Berg, M. P., Lega, I., Lupattelli, A., Sheaf, G., Skalkidou, A., Uka, A., Uusitalo, S., Bosteels-Vanden Abeele, L., & Moura-Ramos, M. (2025). Evidence-based Clinical Practice Guidelines for prevention, screening and treatment of Peripartum Depression. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 227(5), 798–809. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2025.43

10. Richardson, E., Patterson, R., Meltzer-Brody, S., McClure, R., & Tow, A. (2025). Transformative therapies for depression: Postpartum depression, major depressive disorder, and treatment-resistant depression. Annual Review of Medicine, 76(1), 81–93. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-med-050423-095712

11. Tambelli, R., Tosto, S., & Favieri, F. (2025). Psychiatric risk factors for postpartum depression: A systematic review. Behavioral Sciences, 15(2), 173. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020173

12. Tessema, M., Abera, M., & Birhanu, Z. (2024). Effectiveness of group-based psycho-education on preventing postpartum depression among pregnant women by primary healthcare provider in primary healthcare institution: A cluster-randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1433942