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Women's Mental Health

Postpartum Depression — Treatment in Maryland

Postpartum depression affects 1 in 7 new mothers — and is often undertreated due to stigma. PPD is not a character flaw or failure as a mother — it

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Common Signs & Symptoms

  • !Persistent sadness or emptiness after delivery
  • !Loss of interest in the baby or activities
  • !Intense irritability or anger
  • !Difficulty bonding with the baby
  • !Crying spells disproportionate to circumstances
  • !Intrusive thoughts (differentiate from postpartum psychosis)

What Causes This?

  • •Dramatic hormonal shifts after delivery
  • •Sleep deprivation
  • •Prior depression or anxiety history
  • •Social isolation and lack of support
  • •Traumatic birth experience

Treatment Approaches

SSRIs (Breastfeeding-Compatible)

Sertraline and escitalopram have minimal transfer to breast milk and are considered first-line for PPD.

Brexanolone (Zulresso)

FDA-approved specifically for PPD — a neurosteroid GABA modulator requiring IV administration.

Therapy

Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is highly effective for PPD.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will postpartum depression affect my bond with my baby?▾

PPD can make bonding difficult — but treatment restores bonding in virtually all cases. The sooner treatment starts, the sooner bonding improves.

Related Topics

Think This Could Be Your Issue?

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