Patient handout
Postpartum depression
You have been diagnosed with postpartum depression. This page explains what that means, how it is treated, and what you can do now.
What it is
Postpartum depression is depression that begins during pregnancy or in the first year after birth. It is different from the baby blues, which are common and pass within about two weeks. It affects more than one in five new mothers, and fathers and partners as well. It does not mean you are a bad parent, and it is one of the most treatable forms of depression.
Common signs
- Sadness, emptiness, or crying that lasts beyond two weeks
- Anxiety that will not switch off, often focused on the baby's safety
- Trouble sleeping even when the baby sleeps
- Feeling disconnected from the baby, or guilty for not feeling what you expected
- Irritability, anger, feeling overwhelmed
- Intrusive scary thoughts about harm coming to the baby, which are distressing precisely because you do not want them
Why it happens
Hormone shifts after birth, sleep deprivation, physical recovery, and the sudden weight of responsibility all act on a brain that may already be vulnerable. A history of depression, anxiety, or a difficult birth raises the risk. None of it is caused by a lack of love or effort.
How it is treated
- Medication: SSRIs such as sertraline are first-line and are compatible with breastfeeding for most people. Expect two to six weeks for benefit.
- Therapy: CBT and interpersonal therapy have strong evidence for postpartum depression. Combined with medication works best for moderate to severe symptoms.
- Practical support: protected sleep, help with night feeds, and reducing isolation are treatment, not extras.
- Follow-up: every one to two weeks at first. A short questionnaire tracks progress at each visit.
What you can do now
- Arrange one protected stretch of sleep, four to five hours, by having someone else take a feed.
- Lower the bar: fed, safe, and held is enough for today.
- Get outside with the baby once a day, even for ten minutes.
- Say out loud to one person how you actually feel.
- Take medication daily at the same time, and do not judge it before four weeks.
Get help right away if
- Thoughts of hurting yourself, or of the baby being better off without you
- Thoughts of harming the baby that feel like intentions rather than unwanted intrusions
- Confusion, hearing or seeing things, not sleeping for days, or beliefs others find bizarre (possible postpartum psychosis; this is a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the emergency room)
- Unable to eat, drink, or care for yourself or the baby
- Thoughts of hurting yourself or not wanting to be here: call or text 988 any time, or go to the nearest emergency room
Good to know
- Intrusive thoughts of harm coming to the baby are extremely common in new parents and are not the same as wanting to harm the baby. Tell us about them so we can help.
- Breastfeeding and antidepressants are usually compatible. Do not stop either one without talking to us.
- Partners can develop postpartum depression too. If yours seems withdrawn or irritable, the same help applies.
Questions about your diagnosis or treatment?
Alice Tran Psychiatric Care · 3060 Williams Drive, Suite 300, Fairfax, VA 22031
Call: (703) 791-9099 · Text: (703) 791-9031 · info@alicetrannp.com · alicetrannp.com
This handout is for education and is not a substitute for the instructions you received at your visit. Follow the dose on your prescription label. If anything here differs from what you were told, call the office. In an emergency, call 911. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.