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Postpartum depression symptoms and causes

Learn how to recognize postpartum depression symptoms, understand the difference from other conditions, and know when to seek professional help.

April 17, 2026

Clinically reviewed by the Headway Clinical Team

8 min read

Clinically reviewed by the Headway Clinical Team

Having a baby can be a big change. As you adjust to life with a newborn, it’s common to experience ups and downs that affect your mood and overall well-being. While postpartum baby blues can be a normal, temporary aspect of new parenthood, many people experience more severe symptoms that don’t go away on their own.

Postpartum depression affects one in seven people during the first year after childbirth. Unlike typical baby blues, it’s a medical diagnosis that requires treatment. Recognizing postpartum depression symptoms is critical for new parents and families, especially because early signs are often dismissed as “normal” after pregnancy. 

Read on to learn more about postpartum depression symptoms, what’s typical and what may signal a more serious issue, and when to reach out for mental health support.

What is postpartum baby blues? 9 symptoms

Postpartum baby blues involve mood changes that happen after having a baby, typically in the first few days or weeks. While it can be difficult to deal with baby blues, it’s not a mental health disorder like postpartum depression or major depressive disorder. Rather, postpartum baby blues cause mild to moderate symptoms that often arise due to common challenges of early parenthood, such as hormone shifts, sleep deprivation, and the intensity of caring for a new baby. 

Postpartum baby blues, unlike clinical depression, is a temporary experience and usually goes away on its own. Even when things feel emotional, people with postpartum baby blues also generally experience moments of joy and connection, which is less common with postpartum depression.

Common symptoms of postpartum baby blues include: 

  • Mood swings
  • Anxiety
  • Sadness
  • Irritability
  • Feeling overwhelmed
  • Crying
  • Reduced concentration
  • Appetite problems
  • Trouble sleeping

What is postpartum depression? 10 symptoms

Postpartum depression is a diagnosable mental health disorder that can affect anyone in the first year after giving birth. How long does postpartum depression last? It’s longer-lasting and more severe than postpartum baby blues and interferes with a person’s ability to function normally in day-to-day life. 

Unlike the baby blues, postpartum depression doesn’t go away on its own and generally needs medical treatment. Psychotherapy and antidepressant medication can both help alleviate symptoms of postpartum depression and make it easier for someone to regain normal function.

Common symptoms of postpartum depression include:

  • Persistent sadness, depressed mood, or severe mood swings
  • Excessive crying
  • Difficulty bonding with the baby
  • Withdrawing from family and friends
  • Loss of appetite or eating much more than usual
  • Insomnia or sleeping too much
  • Overwhelming fatigue or loss of energy
  • Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt, or inadequacy
  • Reduced ability to think clearly, concentrate, or make decisions
  • Thoughts of harming oneself or the baby

What is postpartum psychosis? 7 symptoms

Postpartum psychosis is rarer than postpartum depression. While not a DSM-5-TR diagnosis, it’s a serious medical condition that causes a person to disconnect from reality. Symptoms tend to come on suddenly and intensely, causing severe mood and behavior changes that can cause a person to harm themselves or their baby. Postpartum psychosis is considered a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment. 

Common symptoms of postpartum psychosis include: 

  • Severe mood swings
  • Confusion
  • Hallucinations
  • Delusions
  • Paranoia, or thoughts of harming oneself or the baby
  • Insomnia 
  • Irritability or agitation 

Risk factors for postpartum depression

Postpartum depression doesn’t have a single cause and often results from a mix of physical, emotional, and social factors, such as: 

  • History of depression or other mood disorders: If you’ve experienced depression or another mood disorder before, then you’re more likely to develop postpartum depression, too. 
  • Depression during pregnancy: Having depression symptoms at any point during pregnancy are another common risk factor for developing postpartum depression. 
  • Stressful life events: A previous history of stressful or traumatic life events, such as physical or sexual abuse or chronic illness, correlates with increased postpartum depression risk. Having multiple previous births is another risk factor. 
  • Limited social support: Having limited social support, especially during and after pregnancy, is a known risk factor for developing postpartum depression. Relationship stress, including marital problems, can also heighten the risk. 
  • Complications during pregnancy or childbirth: A high-risk pregnancy or traumatic events during or after birth (such as an emergency c-section or medical complications with the baby) increase the risk of postpartum depression. 
  • Hormonal changes after delivery: After pregnancy, hormones can drastically shift. Some people have a more difficult time adjusting to these changes, which can cause an increased risk of depression symptoms. 

Having risk factors does not mean someone will develop PPD, but awareness about potential causes can support early monitoring, discussion with medical providers, and effective treatment. 

When to seek professional help

It’s never too soon to seek out professional help for postpartum depression symptoms (or any mental health disorder). As a rule of thumb, anyone experiencing depression symptoms that last longer than two weeks, get worse over time, or cause difficulty functioning should consider contacting a health care provider for support.

FAQs

Can postpartum depression be prevented?

Postpartum depression is a medical diagnosis that can’t be prevented and requires medical treatment. That said, understanding the symptoms and your personal risk factors can help ensure you have proper support in place, and that you reach out for medical help when necessary. 

What are the common causes of postpartum depression? 

Postpartum depression can stem from a number of contributing physical, emotional, and social factors, from traumatic life events to hormonal changes that occur post-pregnancy. If you’ve previously experienced depression or another mental health diagnosis before or during pregnancy, you may be at risk for developing PPD as well. 

What are treatment options for postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression is most commonly treated with psychotherapy (such as cognitive behavioral therapy), antidepressants, or a combination of both. SSRIs are frequently prescribed and are generally considered safe for breastfeeding mothers. Support groups can also help reduce feelings of isolation. Early intervention is key — most people recover well with proper treatment.

Find postpartum mental health support

Postpartum depression is a mental health disorder that doesn’t go away on its own and requires professional care. If you’re concerned about postpartum depression symptoms — even if you’re not sure that’s what you’re experiencing — speak to your medical provider, such as your OB-GYN, about your symptoms. You can also reach out to a therapist for support. 

Navigating parenthood is stressful enough, and finding a therapist shouldn’t make it harder. If you want to find a therapist who accepts your insurance, Headway makes it easy to search for licensed, in-network providers who specialize in maternal mental health.

This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute clinical, legal, financial, or professional advice. All decisions should be made at the discretion of the individual or organization, in consultation with qualified clinical, legal, or other appropriate professionals.

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Mental health conditions