Written and reviewed by Dr. Nicole Tully, MD on 4/20/26 | Women’s Health Concierge Medicine
Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that affects many women after childbirth. It involves persistent sadness, anxiety, and difficulty functioning that lasts longer than the typical baby blues. Unlike the baby blues, which usually resolves within two weeks, postpartum depression can continue for months if untreated. However, postpartum depression is highly treatable, especially when recognized early.
Postpartum depression is common. Up to 20% of mothers develop clinically significant postpartum depression symptoms in the first year after their child’s birth. Research suggests that up to 42% of women with postpartum depression also experience anxiety symptoms. Postpartum depression is a serious issue for mothers, families and employers. It can affect your relationship with your baby and your partner, and impact your work performance. Many individuals delay care, hoping that symptoms will pass on their own. However, postpartum depression does not resolve on its own and waiting only prolongs suffering and negatively impacts not just the mother but also the baby and the rest of the family.
Symptoms of postpartum depression go beyond normal feelings of tiredness or adjustment stress that come with a new baby. They affect your emotions, behavior, thinking and ability to function. They also affect your ability to bond with and take care of your baby.
Postpartum depression and anxiety symptoms often go hand in hand.
Additionally, some behavioral changes are red flags for Postpartum Depression. Often, these are noticed by your spouse, family, close friends or work colleagues.
Often women find that the things they had no difficulty with before the baby arrived, now seem nearly impossible.
However, many new mothers experience mood swings and tearfulness in the first days after delivery. So how do you know if you are experiencing postpartum depression or just the baby blues?
Or Is It Postpartum Depression?There is a difference between baby blues, which will pass with time, and postpartum depression, which will not. Understanding the difference between the two helps you know when you need to seek help.
Feature | Baby Blues | Postpartum Depression |
When symptoms start | Usually begins 2-3 days after giving birth | May begin anytime in the first few weeks or months after birth |
Peak timing | Symptoms usually peak around day 4-5 | Symptoms persist or worsen after 2 weeks |
Duration | Usually resolves within 10-14 days without treatment | Symptoms last longer than two weeks and often intensify |
Common symptoms | Tearfulness, mild anxiety, irritability, fatigue | Persistent sadness, despair, anger, mood swings, sleep disturbances |
Daily functioning | Mothers can still care for themselves and the baby | Symptoms interfere with daily tasks and functioning |
Bonding with baby | Bonding usually remains intact | May affect ability to bond with the baby |
Underlying causes | Rapid hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, physical recovery | Combination of hormonal, psychological, and environmental factors |
Treatment needed | Usually no medical treatment required | Professional treatment is recommended, and may include talk therapy, medications, supportive lifestyle strategies, and sometimes ECT. |
If symptoms last longer than two weeks, worsen over time, or interfere with normal daily life activities, it may be postpartum depression and professional treatment is recommended. Postpartum depression requires medical care, not just reassurance from friends and family.
Postpartum depression can occur in any new patient, but certain medical, psychological, infant-related factors and life circumstances can increase risk.
Yes. Partners and non-birth parents can also experience depression after the birth of a child due to sleep deprivation, stress, and major life adjustments. Postpartum depression is not just caused by fluctuating hormones. It is multifactorial and can result from a combination of biological, psychological and social changes. Partners may show symptoms like irritability, withdrawal from family, overworking or increased substance use. Partners should seek the same type of help as birth parents, including mental health professional support, therapy and medication when needed, because treating both parents supports the child’s emotional and developmental health.
Postpartum psychosis is a rare but severe condition that involves loss of contact with reality after childbirth. Postpartum psychosis differs from typical postpartum depression symptoms in several ways.
Postpartum psychosis will get worse without treatment; however, with prompt medical treatment, the prognosis is favorable. If you or a loved one is pregnant or has recently had a baby and is at risk, make sure that your doctor knows so you can be monitored.
Treating postpartum depression typically involves a personalized plan that combines therapy, medication, and lifestyle strategies. The right approach depends on your symptom severity, breastfeeding plans, medical history, and preferences. Many busy parents use a mix of virtual therapy, in-person visits and digital tools to fit treatment into packed schedules. Telehealth makes it possible to attend sessions during your baby’s nap time or between work meetings. One therapy intake visit can unlock more support and give you a clearer path forward.
What Kinds Of Individualized Therapy Are Used?
Talk therapy is a first-line treatment for mild to moderate postpartum depression. For more severe cases, therapy combined with medication works best. Many therapists offer brief, structured approaches over 8 to 16 sessions. This works well for time-pressed individuals who want clear goals and measurable progress. A postpartum depression therapist is a mental health professional with specialized training in maternal mental health. These clinicians understand the hormonal, emotional, and physical changes that occur during pregnancy and the postpartum period. They are also familiar with the challenges many women face after birth, including difficult deliveries, breastfeeding struggles, sleep deprivation, and the major life adjustments that come with caring for a new baby. Several types of therapy-based programs may be used to treat postpartum depression, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IT).
Sometimes, in addition to therapy, medication can be recommended.
What Kind Of Medication Is Prescribed For Postpartum Depression?Antidepressant medications are commonly used to treat moderate to severe postpartum depression. These medications help improve mood, reduce anxiety, and restore normal functioning.
Many women who need treatment are also breastfeeding and may worry about whether medication is safe for their baby. Although small amounts of many medications can pass into breast milk, the levels are typically very low, and the benefits of treating postpartum depression often outweigh the potential risks. Side effects in infants, such as sleepiness or feeding difficulties, are uncommon. Women who are prescribed medication are usually able to continue breastfeeding if they wish, while working with their physician to choose the safest option.
If neither standard antidepressants nor Zuranolone are effective, then electroconvulsive therapy may be recommended.
Lifestyle factors support professional treatment and make recovery smoother. These initiatives work along with therapy and/or medical interventions to help you feel better.
Since sleep deprivation intensifies depressive and anxiety symptoms, prioritizing your sleep is important.
Eating consistently stabilizes energy and mood during recovery, and excessive caffeine can worsen anxiety and sleep problems, so focusing on your nutrition is also important.
Mood and energy have been shown to improve through brief activities such as 10- to 15-minute walks, stretching, or light home workouts.
Don’t forget that during the postpartum period, you are still recovering. Temporary strategies can help your brain and body recover.
Support from partners, family members, friends, therapists and healthcare providers can improve recovery.
It is important that patients with postpartum depression or anxiety have regular follow up visits with their doctors, because it may take several weeks to months to find the right medication and the correct dose to effectively treat the symptoms.
There are many reasons patients may not respond to treatment. It is important to identify potential causes and try to address them.
Why May Patients Fail To Respond To Treatment For Postpartum Depression?While mild cases can persist for many months, some studies show depressive symptoms lasting 1 to 2 years or longer in women who do not receive care. There is no instant cure for postpartum depression; however, with evidence-based postpartum treatment, many women notice improvement within 2 to 6 weeks. Steady gains continue over several months and reduce the risk of chronic major depression.
You can start by speaking with your obstetrician, primary care doctor or pediatrician, or reach out to Dr. Nicole Tully at TullyMD. At TullyMD, we do full postpartum depression screenings and we provide referrals to postpartum depression therapists or perinatal psychiatrists if needed.
Dr. Tully offers concierge medical care for women across New Jersey and New York.
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If you checked any of the boxes above, you or your loved one should consider contacting a mental health provider.
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Do not wait to get help.
Yes. Symptoms of postpartum can appear anytime in the first 12 months after giving birth. Many women experience onset after returning to work, when early support fades, or when hormonal changes related to weaning occur. Late onset depression still qualifies as postpartum depression and responds to the same treatments.
Yes. Support groups, in person or online, add peer support and reduce isolation. They work well when paired with individual postpartum depression therapy.
Many women who need medical treatment for postpartum depression are also breastfeeding. Women who are prescribed medication are usually able to continue breastfeeding, if they wish, while working with their physician to choose the safest option.
Yes, there are ways to reduce the risk of postpartum depression in a future pregnancy. Planning ahead with your healthcare provider can make a significant difference. Early screening and monitoring, starting preventive therapy including medication if needed, optimizing sleep and ensuring healthy lifestyle habits are all ways to protect your mental health in a future pregnancy.
Emphasize that postpartum depression is a common, treatable medical condition and not a personal weakness. Seeking support from a healthcare provider or therapist can also help both partners understand the condition and learn how to provide support. Refer them to trusted medical sites that describe and explain postpartum depression for them to read about postpartum depression and the importance of their support.
Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby in postpartum depression with psychosis feel very real and may include commands to act. Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby can occur in postpartum depression as well, although these intrusive thoughts feel unwanted and distressing. Both situations are emergencies that require immediate professional care.
The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-TLC-MAMA ) is a free, confidential resource that is available 24/7.
At TullyMD, Dr. Nicole Tully offers concierge medical care for women across New Jersey and New York, with a special focus on preconceptual counseling and postpartum care as well as midlife and perimenopausal/menopausal health.
It’s time to put yourself first. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Nicole Tully and experience the care you deserve.
TullyMD Anniversary Party
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TullyMD - Mother's Day Movement x Rooftop Yoga
Join us for a rooftop yoga class focused on core strength, breath work, and pelvic floor connection. Led by Danielle Lacroix (Move Well with Danielle), yoga instructor, in collaboration with Dr. Lauren Catena, pelvic floor physical therapist at Blossom PT.Co-led with pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Lauren Catena of Blossom PT, this class is designed for women in all stages, including prenatal and postpartum. You’ll leave feeling stronger, more connected, and supported in your body.
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Join Dr. Nicole Tully and Mama’s Got Mojo for a special screening of The M Factor 2. This powerful follow-up continues the groundbreaking work of the original film, shining a much-needed light on perimenopause, the critical and often overlooked transition that impacts women’s physical, mental, and emotional health years before menopause. Following the screening, Dr. Nicole Tully will join an expert panel for a dynamic post-film discussion.
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My name is Nicole Tully, MD and for almost 20 years, I have focused on Women’s Health and followed women throughout the course of their lives. The focus of my practice is to provide comprehensive and compassionate medical care for women starting in adolescence and continuing through menopause into their golden years.
