postpartum depression

noun

: a mood disorder involving intense psychological depression that typically occurs within one month after giving birth, lasts more than two weeks, and is accompanied by other symptoms (such as social withdrawal, difficulty in bonding with the baby, and feelings of worthlessness or guilt)
Strictly defined, postpartum depression is diagnosed by the criteria for major depression—overwhelming feelings of sadness, guilt or worthlessness for at least two weeks—beginning sometime in the month after the baby is born.—Jill U. Adams
… 10 to 20 percent of new mothers in the United States feel so depressed within six months of childbirth that they have trouble with normal functioning. This is postpartum depression … and it can occur after the birth of any child.—Andrew Weil
… it turns out that men can also have postpartum depression, and its effects can be every bit as disruptive—not just on the father but on mother and child.—Richard A. Friedman
—abbreviation PPD compare postpartum blues

Examples of postpartum depression in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Inspired by Sankey’s own struggles with mental health, the film draws connections between postpartum depression and the history and cinematic representation of witches in Western society. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Apr. 2024 Women suffer through childbirth and postpartum depression. —Dr. Sharon Malone, TIME, 9 Apr. 2024 Furthermore, make sure your wife is screened immediately for postpartum depression, and to have her mental health medication restored or adjusted. —Amy Dickinson, The Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2024 When new drugs do hit the market, they’re often narrowly approved (like the Sage Therapeutics medicine for postpartum depression) and pricier. —Sarah Owermohle, STAT, 5 Apr. 2024 The new mom was suffering from postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum anxiety (PPA). —Katie Grant, Parents, 27 Mar. 2024 Some of these are now specifically directed at postpartum depression. —Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024 Guest host: Seth Doane. COVER STORY: Recognizing the signs of postpartum depression One in seven women experiences postpartum depression (PPD), with more new mothers dying from suicide or overdose than anything else. —David Morgan, CBS News, 7 Dec. 2023 In the meantime, Burkhard said, patients suffering from postpartum depression should not hold back from asking their doctors about zuranolone. —April Dembosky, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'postpartum depression.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1929, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of postpartum depression was in 1929

Dictionary Entries Near postpartum depression

postpartum blues

postpartum depression

postpetiole

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Cite this Entry

“Postpartum depression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/postpartum%20depression. Accessed 2 May. 2024.

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Medical Definition

postpartum depression

noun
: a mood disorder involving intense psychological depression that typically occurs within one month after giving birth, lasts more than two weeks, and is accompanied by other symptoms (such as social withdrawal, difficulty in bonding with the baby, and feelings of worthlessness or guilt)
Strictly defined, postpartum depression is diagnosed by the criteria for major depression—overwhelming feelings of sadness, guilt or worthlessness for at least two weeks—beginning sometime in the month after the baby is born.—Jill U. Adams, Los Angeles Times
Most new mothers feel a little down after their baby is born. For one in ten, however, postpartum depression … can last up to a year and even leave a woman unable to care for her infant.—Ellen Rapp, Parenting
Doctors typically treat postpartum depression with medication, talk therapy or both.—Susan H. Greenberg and Karen Springen, Newsweek

Note: Postpartum depression may initially be misdiagnosed as postpartum blues but the symptoms of postpartum depression are more intense and debilitating and last longer than two weeks. While typically affecting mothers, there is evidence that fathers may also experience postpartum depression.

—abbreviation PPD compare postpartum blues

More from Merriam-Webster on postpartum depression

Britannica English: Translation of postpartum depression for Arabic Speakers

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