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Fact Check: Is Post Partum Depression real?

“Is Post Partum Depression real?”
Yes, it is real
Confidence: High Checked on August 24, 2026

Summary

Postpartum depression is a clinically recognized mood disorder that can begin at any time within the first year after childbirth and affects roughly one in five women. It is defined in the DSM‑5‑TR and supported by extensive research, systematic reviews, and health agencies worldwide. Medical professionals treat it as a genuine condition requiring diagnosis and care.

Sources 59 searched

thelancet.com
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  • Perinatal Depression - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf

    Perinatal depression is a mood disorder that affects individuals during pregnancy or within 1 year after childbirth. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR), postpartum depression is now included in the term perinatal ...

medlineplus.gov
  • Postpartum Depression: MedlinePlus

    Postpartum (post-pregnancy) depression can begin anytime within the first year after childbirth. Learn about the symptoms of postpartum depression.

womenshealth.gov
  • Postpartum depression | Office on Women's Health

    The thyroid is a small gland in ... can cause symptoms of depression. A simple blood test can tell whether this condition is causing your symptoms. If so, your doctor can prescribe thyroid medicine. Yes. You may be more at risk of postpartum depression if you...

webmd.com
  • Common Misconceptions About Postpartum Depression

    Emotional mood swings are normal for a few weeks after your baby is born. But if you feel extremely sad, anxious, or indifferent several weeks or months after having a baby, it could be postpartum depression.

ifp.nyu.edu
pcom.edu
  • Debunking 5 Myths About Postpartum Mood Disorders | PCOM

    Bonacquisti, an assistant professor in PCOM’s Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) program, dispels five myths about postpartum mood disorder types, signs and symptoms, and treatment options. Not necessarily true. Studies have shown that postpartum anxiety affects between 11% and 21% of women. Because it’s more difficult to diagnose postpartum anxiety, we can’t know precisely how many people suffer from the condition. Postpartum anxiety is usually identified during an assessment for postpartum depression.

policycentermmh.org
fetalhealthfoundation.org
  • Myths about postpartum depression: what we all should know

    Postpartum Support International states that “there is no direct correlation between infanticide, abuse or neglect and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.” · Rather than being at risk of hurting others, a severely depressed or anxious mom without proper support and information can be ...

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