--- 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. ## Who is this page for? This page is for people in the UK who want a plain-English overview of Postnatal depression, including when to seek help and what NHS care usually involves. It explains general information, not what is wrong with you personally. ## Who should skip this page? Skip this page if you need a diagnosis, a prescription, or emergency care. It cannot replace a GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 or 999. If you are in immediate danger, call 999; for urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call 111 in England, Scotland or Wales, or use your GP out-of-hours service 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 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 - 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/)