--- title: "Postnatal depression: Symptoms & Treatment | HealthAnswers" description: "Postnatal depression — symptoms beyond baby blues, difference from postpartum psychosis, NHS talking therapies and safe antidepressants when breastfeeding." url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/postnatal-depression/ robots: noindex --- # Postnatal depression: Symptoms & Treatment | HealthAnswers Health A–Z Postnatal depression — symptoms beyond baby blues, difference from postpartum psychosis, NHS talking therapies and safe antidepressants when breastfeeding. Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [Dr Neil Singh MBChB, nMRCGP](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/neil-singh/) · GMC 7039648 Reviewed 28 June 2026 ## Quick answer What is postnatal depression? Postnatal depression (PND) affects about 1 in 10 women after childbirth — persistent low mood, exhaustion, guilt, anxiety, and difficulty bonding with the baby beyond the first 2 weeks. Baby blues — tearfulness days 3–10 — usually resolves alone. PND needs treatment — talking therapies (CBT, counselling) and antidepressants safe in breastfeeding when needed. Partners can develop depression too. Postpartum psychosis is rare emergency — confusion, hallucinations, rapid mood swings — phone 999. See a GP or health visitor if low mood persists over 2 weeks or you have thoughts of harming yourself or the baby. General UK health information, not a diagnosis. In an emergency call 999 ; for urgent advice use [NHS 111](https://111.nhs.uk/) (GP out-of-hours in Northern Ireland). On this page 7 sections ## Key facts about postnatal depression - Postnatal depression affects roughly 10 to 15% of new mothers — can start weeks or months after birth. - Baby blues affect up to 80% — peak day 5 — hormonal — resolves within 2 weeks without treatment. - Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) used at 6–8 week check — score prompts referral. - Sertraline and some other SSRIs compatible with breastfeeding — discuss risks and benefits with GP. - Postpartum psychosis affects 1–2 per 1000 — psychiatric emergency — not the same as PND. ## Postnatal depression — more than tiredness **Postnatal depression (PND)** is **depressive episode in perinatal period** — **onset within first year** — **peak first 3 months**. **~10–15% mothers** — **under-recognised** — **shame delays help** ## Baby blues vs PND vs psychosis | | Baby blues | PND | Postpartum psychosis | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Timing | Days 3–10 | >2 weeks | Days to weeks | | Severity | Mild | Moderate–severe | Severe | | Treatment | Support | Therapy ± meds | Emergency psychiatry | | Psychosis | No | No (unless severe) | Yes | ## Why it happens **Multifactorial:** - Hormonal crash — oestrogen, progesterone - Sleep deprivation - Birth trauma - Previous mental health - Isolation , financial stress - Difficult feeding , colic - NOT weakness or not loving baby ## Symptoms to act on **Emotional:** - Anhedonia — nothing enjoyable - Guilt — “bad mother” - Intrusive thoughts — harm to baby — common, treatable, not acted on **Physical:** - [Insomnia](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/insomnia/) despite exhaustion - Appetite loss **Bonding:** - Detached , going through motions **Partner PND** — **~10% fathers/partners** — **also needs GP** ## Screening **EPDS at 6–8 week check** **Score ≥13** — **referral** **Question 10 self-harm** — **any score >0** — **urgent** ## Treatment **Mild-moderate:** - Listening visits , IAPT CBT - Peer support — PANDAS, Netmums **Moderate-severe:** - SSRI — [sertraline](https://healthanswers.co.uk/treatments/sertraline/) - Perinatal psychiatry **Mother and baby units** — **keep dyad together** ## Safety planning **If intrusive harm thoughts:** - Tell GP — not child protection automatic if no intent/risk - Support person , sleep blocks **Postpartum psychosis** — **999** — **do not leave alone with baby unsupervised if acutely unwell** ## ! When to see a GP about postnatal depression See a GP or tell your health visitor if low mood, anxiety, or irritability persist beyond 2 weeks after birth, you cannot sleep even when baby sleeps, you feel detached from the baby, excessive guilt, panic attacks, or intrusive frightening thoughts. Same-day or crisis line if thoughts of suicide, self-harm, or harming the baby. Phone 999 if confused, hearing voices, manic energy, or bizarre beliefs — postpartum psychosis. Partners with persistent low mood should also see GP. ## Common questions about postnatal depression What is the difference between baby blues and postnatal depression? Baby blues — starts days 2–5 after birth, tearfulness, mood swings, anxiety — peaks day 5, resolves within 2 weeks — no treatment needed. Postnatal depression — persists beyond 2 weeks, more severe, affects daily function, bonding, and enjoyment — needs GP assessment and treatment. What are the symptoms of postnatal depression? Persistent sadness, hopelessness, exhaustion beyond normal new-parent tiredness, loss of interest, guilt about parenting, anxiety and panic, irritability, difficulty bonding with baby, concentration problems, appetite change, insomnia when opportunity exists, intrusive thoughts (common — distressing), social withdrawal. Can include suicidal ideation — medical emergency. How is postnatal depression treated? Guided self-help, CBT, interpersonal therapy via NHS talking therapies — IAPT perinatal priority. Antidepressants — sertraline often first choice if breastfeeding. Severe cases — specialist perinatal mental health team, day units, mother and baby unit if inpatient needed. Practical support — health visitor, family help with sleep. Can you take antidepressants while breastfeeding? Yes — several SSRIs pass minimally into breast milk — sertraline and paroxetine often preferred. Untreated PND harms mother and child — balance risks. Discuss with GP — monitor baby for sedation or feeding change. Breastfeeding not mandatory to receive medication if you choose not to. What is postpartum psychosis? Rare severe psychiatric illness — days to weeks postpartum — manic or mixed episodes, hallucinations, delusions, confusion, rapid deterioration. Medical emergency — mother and baby unit admission — antipsychotics, lithium. Higher risk if previous bipolar or postpartum psychosis. Different from PND though can coexist. ## Sources - [NHS — Postnatal depression](https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/post-natal-depression/) - [NICE — Antenatal and postnatal mental health](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg192) - [PANDAS Foundation](https://pandasfoundation.org.uk/) ## How we reviewed this page Medically reviewed by [Dr Neil Singh](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/neil-singh/), MBChB, nMRCGP General Practitioner · GMC [7039648](https://www.gmc-uk.org/registrants/7039648) Dr Neil Singh is a General Practitioner based in Yorkshire with over a decade of experience working in UK primary care. First published 14 June 2026 Medically reviewed 28 June 2026 Next review due 28 June 2029 or sooner if NHS or NICE guidance changes Written by HealthAnswers editorial team. Published by HealthAnswers (Elite Digital AI Solutions Ltd). 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