Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression (PPD) affects approximately 10-20% of women after childbirth and is characterized by persistent sadness, anxiety, irritability, and impaired maternal functioning1. Early identification and comprehensive, evidence-based treatment are critical to improving outcomes for both mother and infant.
The APA emphasizes routine screening during the perinatal period using validated tools such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and recommends a multimodal treatment approach including psychotherapy particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT) and pharmacotherapy when indicated. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are considered first-line pharmacologic agents.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) highlights the importance of integrating maternal depression screening into pediatric visits to facilitate early detection and intervention. Supporting new mothers’ mental health requires more than treatment; it involves psychoeducation to normalize symptoms and reduce stigma, psychosocial support to combat isolation, and coordination of care across obstetric, pediatric, and mental health services. Collaborative care models that engage multidisciplinary teams have demonstrated improved engagement and outcomes4.
PPD risk is shaped by social determinants of health (SDoH) such as:
- Poverty or financial stress
- Lack of social support
- Food or housing insecurity
- Limited access to mental health care
- American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.)
- American Psychiatric Association. (2010). Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder (3rd ed.).
- American Academy of Pediatrics. (2018). Maternal depression screening. In S. C. Chou et al. (Eds.), Bright Futures: Guidelines for health supervision of infants, children, and adolescents (4th ed.).
- Katon, W., Russo, J., & Gavin, N. (2014). Collaborative care for perinatal depression in socioeconomically disadvantaged women: a randomized trial. Depression and Anxiety, 31(8), 695–704.
Want more?
Find help for more behavioral health topics in our provider toolkit.
You are leaving the WellSense website
You are now leaving the WellSense website, and are being connected to a third party web site. Please note that WellSense is not responsible for the information, content or product(s) found on third party web sites.
By accessing the noted link you will be leaving our website and entering a website hosted by another party. Please be advised that you will no longer be subject to, or under the protection of, our privacy and security policies. We encourage you to read and evaluate the privacy and security policies of the site you are entering, which may be different than ours.