If you had a baby in the past year and you’re struggling with constant feelings of sadness, troubling thoughts, or difficulty eating and sleeping, it might mean that you have postpartum depression (PPD) — even if you’re the non-birthing parent.

While you may naturally expect these feelings to go away on their own, unfortunately, they usually don’t. PPD is a serious mood disorder that requires treatment.

In this article, we review the current scientific literature and, with the insights of Amy Eisenberg, LCPC, PMHC — a therapist who specializes in treating perinatal mood disorders — answer the question of how long PPD may last. Eisenberg leads pregnancy, postpartum, and loss groups with the organization Beyond the Baby Blues in Evanston, Illinois. She also has a private practice where she works with new mothers and couples navigating loss, fertility, pregnancy, and PPD.

If you’ve been diagnosed with PPD and are undergoing treatment, or you suspect that you or your loved one might be living with it, this article’s for you.

How Do You Know It’s Postpartum Depression?

Many of us tend to downplay our pains. When it comes to parenthood, you might minimize your emotional struggles to a cliche like “all new parents struggle.” However, if it’s postpartum depression, these feelings might eventually become unbearable.

You might be experiencing PPD if you’ve been constantly feeling down and worried for more than two weeks at any point within the first year of having your baby. Other signs and symptoms of postpartum depression include:

• Feelings of hopelessness, guilt, frustration, and irritation
• Loss of interest in everyday activities
• Abnormal tiredness or restlessness
• Brain fog and indecisiveness
• Difficulty sleeping
• Oversleeping
• Appetite changes
• Unexplained physical aches
• Trouble feeling connected to your baby
• Doubts about whether you can take care of your baby
• Thoughts of dying or of hurting your baby

You might be at a higher risk of PPD if you:

• Have had depression or anxiety in the past
• Had a traumatic birth
• Lack social support and encouragement from family members
• Are being abused by your partner
• Have a family history of certain mental health conditions.

According to the medical journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, Black and Hispanic mothers might be more likely to report depressive symptoms in the early postpartum period.

However, while there are certain established risk factors for having PPD, Eisenberg emphasizes that this condition can be experienced by anyone, including people of all social backgrounds, races, and ethnicities.

How Do You Know It’s Not Just ‘Baby Blues’?

Mood changes within the first two weeks after having a baby are often called “baby blues.” The symptoms are similar to those of PPD, but it’s a temporary condition that resolves by itself within weeks and is milder than PPD.

If “baby blues” are severe or last more than two weeks, it may be a sign of PPD, which, if left untreated, might last for months or years.

When Does Postpartum Depression Start?

If depression starts during pregnancy and continues into the weeks and months after childbirth, it’s called perinatal depression.

PPD commonly starts about one to three weeks after you have a baby. Eisenberg emphasizes that new mothers often tend to think that if they start feeling worse a few months into having a baby, it means it can’t be PPD as they think they’re “past the time mark.”

However, that’s not true — postpartum depression can start anytime within the first year of childbirth or adoption.

How Long Do Symptoms of Postpartum Depression Last?

Unfortunately, PPD is unlikely to go away on its own. If PPD is left untreated, its symptoms may last for months or years.

Strictly speaking, the condition isn’t called “postpartum” (from the Latin for “after birth”) depression if it lasts for longer than a year after you gave birth, according to Eisenberg — it often shifts to chronic depression, also called major depression.

The good news is that there are multiple ways proven to help you feel better sooner.

Medications

Your healthcare provider may suggest treating PPD with antidepressants, which are medications prescribed to treat depression. They are usually recommended in combination with talk therapy. Antidepressants may take around four to eight weeks to work.

Zuranolone (Zurzuvae) is another medication approved specifically for PPD. It is a type of drug called a neurosteroid. Unlike other medications used to treat depression, it is taken by mouth for 14 days.

Eisenberg said that sometimes people she treats who are breastfeeding won’t seek medication because they worry that it could be harmful to the new baby. “A lot of medications are compatible with breastfeeding,” Eisenberg explained. “It’s really important to see a perinatal psychiatrist and talk through the risks versus the benefits” of taking medications for PPD.

Talk Therapy

Talking with a mental health professional is very important in order to get better. Talk therapy, or psychotherapy, may help you learn how to cope with your feelings in a healthy way.

Eisenberg described her role as a therapist as “shepherding” new parents through the postpartum period until they can achieve an “equilibrium.” Some people might feel better within a few sessions, and others might need therapy for a longer time.

“As a therapist, my goal is to let the mom know that she is enough for her baby,” Eisenberg shared. “No matter what the interventions are, no matter if she needs to go on medication or if she needs to go to a day program, whatever she needs, she’s a wonderful mom. It’s just moving through the mood disorder.”

Support Groups

Postpartum depression is common. In fact, according to some estimates, such as those published by StatPearls and Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience, 1 in 7 new mothers and around 1 in 10 new fathers experience PPD, so you’re far from alone. Sharing your feelings in a support group may help you feel less isolated. “Groups are good because you start to see ‘a lot of these moms are just like me,’” Eisenberg commented.

In addition to being part of MyDepresssionTeam, you can connect to virtual support groups through Postpartum Support International. You can also ask your healthcare provider about local support groups.

How Can You Find Help for Postpartum Depression?

If you think you might have PPD, let your healthcare provider know and schedule an appointment for a diagnosis. It can be your primary care provider, an OB-GYN, a midwife, or a mental health provider.

Below are a few resources that you can use to get mental health support for PPD:

• Call or text 833-TLC-MAMA (833-852-6262) for the National Maternal Health Hotline. You can gain free access to professional counselors anytime.
• Call or text 800-944-4PPD (800-944-4773) for Postpartum Support International, which offers help in English or Spanish.
• PsychologyToday.com allows you to search for therapists by specialty, location, health insurance and other criteria.

Emergency Resources

Use the following resources to seek emergency help:

• Call 911 for any emergency service in the U.S.
• Call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. They also have a chat feature on their website.
• You can also go straight to your closest emergency room.

Find Your Team

MyDepressionTeam is the social network for people living with all types of depression, including postpartum depression, and their loved ones. Members come together to ask questions, offer support and advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with PPD.

Did you know about the risk factors for postpartum depression before your baby was born? Do you have any advice for others managing these risks? Share your experience, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.