Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a heterogeneous syndrome that is one of the most common complications of childbirth. The defining features of PPD involve depressive symptoms that begin after childbirth. This disorder can be diagnosed as early as 2 weeks after childbirth. If left untreated, symptoms often peak 3 to 4 months postpartum. PPD has been observed among women worldwide, representing various racial and ethnic backgrounds. Cross-cultural rates of PPD reported have been between 0.5% and 60%, with widely different estimates likely due to research and sampling methods, as well as variance in cultural contexts and assessment techniques. The most agreed on prevalence rate in the United States, derived from meta-analytic studies, is approximately 13%, corresponding to an estimated 400,000 women in the United States who ...