Mental Health

How Long Does Postpartum Depression Last?

Written By

Jagruti Rehab

Published on: 18 Feb 2025

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a severe mental disorder that goes unseen and not understood. Worldwide, 10-30% of mothers become diagnosed with this disease. About 22% of the Indian population women are also afflicted by this. People are ignorant about this condition. 50% of the postpartum-depression suffering women in India have no idea about "What is postpartum depression and how long does it last". Unlike the "baby blues," which usually resolve within a few days, postpartum depression can persist and severely impact a mother's emotional and physical well-being. Understanding the duration of postpartum depression and knowing how to manage it is crucial for recovery.

The main objective of Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre is to provide care and treatment to meet with women and help them deal with postpartum depression for a healthy start in motherhood. In this blog post, we will explain "What is postpartum depression," and we will also share the symptoms and causes of postpartum depression. We will also highlight compassionate care at Jagruti Rehab. We will also answer key questions like "How long does postpartum depression last" and "How can you find relief from postpartum depression.".

What Is Postpartum Depression and When Does It Start?

What is Postpartum Depression?

Postpartum depression, also known as PPD, is a condition of mood disorder that many women experience after the birth of a baby. PPD differs from typical baby blues because, without treatment, these feelings can continue for months, not just weeks. 

What are some symptoms of postpartum depression? 

Some typical symptoms include:

• Continued sadness or hopelessness
• Lack of energy and feeling fatigued
• Irritability and mood swings
• Having difficulty bonding with the baby
• Experiencing anxiety, fear, or panic attacks
• No longer enjoying usual activities
• Inability to concentrate or make decisions
• Ideas of harming oneself or the baby

When Does Postpartum Depression Typically Start?

PPD usually starts within a few weeks of giving birth. In some women, it starts even before childbirth or even until one year after giving birth. Knowing the early warning signs and seeing a doctor in time can stop the condition from worsening.

How Long Does Postpartum Depression Last?

Duration of Postpartum Depression

So, how long does postpartum depression last? The period of PPD varies significantly for different individuals. In some, it lasts for only a few weeks, while others may suffer for up to several months or even for a longer duration. A statistic indicates that the symptoms of postpartum depression disappear after six months of delivery in 50% of all women, however, in certain cases, postpartum depression may persist for twelve months or beyond.

Factors That Influence How Long Postpartum Depression Lasts

Several factors determine how long postpartum depression lasts. These include:

• The severity of the symptoms: The more severe the depression, the longer it might take to recover.
• Early intervention: Early diagnosis and treatment shorten the duration of postpartum depression.
• Support system: A strong emotional support network, including family and healthcare providers, is crucial in speeding up recovery.
• Untreated depression: Left untreated, PPD can result in long-lasting effects, at times persisting for years, and affecting not only the mother but also the child.

We at Jagruti Rehab promote early intervention with personalised care that will ensure rapid recovery and avoid long-term complications.

How Can Postpartum Depression Affect Your Life?

Postpartum depression can have a very widespread impact on the emotional, mental, and physical well-being of a mother. In cases not treated appropriately, the postpartum depression duration can get extended, impacting several aspects of everyday living such as:

• Emotional Battles: Mothers may feel extreme sadness, anxiety, or irritability and have difficulty bonding with the baby.
• Strain in Relationships: PPD might lead to relationship strain with a partner, family, and friends, often based on feelings of isolation or guilt.
• Physical Tiredness: The baby seems to be much more exhausting to care for as well as hard to perform simple day-to-day activities.
• Work-Life Disruption: Returning to work will be difficult because one will experience problems concentrating and mood swings when working.
• Impact on Child Development: Untreated PPD may impair the mother's ability to interact with her baby, thus affecting the child's emotional development.

Early treatment of PPD can bring down the duration of postpartum depression, which will ensure a healthier mother and baby.

How Is Postpartum Depression Diagnosed?

Healthcare providers evaluate for postpartum depression based on clinical assessment. This is generally how things go about:

• Symptom Assessment: Symptom evaluation involves consulting the mood, emotions, behaviour, and general well-being.
• Screening Tools: Screening tools include administering the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).
• Duration of Symptoms: Time of duration and the consistency of symptoms also play a role in diagnosis.
• Comprehensive Evaluation: Comprehensive evaluation of their medical history, physical health condition, and mental health conditions.
• Follow-up Assessments: The evaluations continue for the monitoring of the improvement and if more mental health care is required.

Treatment Options and Finding Relief from Postpartum Depression

How Can You Find Relief from Postpartum Depression?

Fortunately, several ways exist for handling PPD; the appropriate treatment may diminish the time during which postpartum depression exists. Most typical treatments are listed below:

• Psychotherapy: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Interpersonal Psychotherapy are among those that can cure PPD.
• Medicines: Such as Antidepressants which assist in leveling imbalances of chemical substances within the brain that create symptoms of postpartum depression. Inquire about medications from a physician.
• Support Groups: Peer support and talking with other mothers who face the same challenge can be very effective in the management of PPD.

Lifestyle Changes and Coping Mechanisms

Along with professional treatment, some self-care practices may be implemented to manage symptoms:

• Exercise: Engaging in regular physical activity will help to release endorphins that will boost mood and energy levels.
• Sleep: Developing a sleep routine, even with a newborn, will help in reducing feelings of exhaustion and irritability.
• Nutrition: The body is also provided with the necessary nutrients to sustain emotional and physical well-being through a well-balanced diet.

Why Choose Jagruti Rehab to Overcome Postpartum Depression?

We know the intricacies of PPD at Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre. Here's why choosing Jagruti Rehab makes a difference:

• Specialised Care Team: Our team of mental health professionals is experienced in treating postpartum depression and can guide each mother with proper care.
• Personalised Treatment Plans: We prepare individualized care plans tailored to each mother's specific needs to ensure effective treatment.
• Holistic and compassionate approach: Both the emotional and physical needs are treated for postpartum depression in order to enable mothers to return to control over their lives with a loving support system.
• Involvement of family support in recovery: This encourages participation in the process, thereby forming an excellent support structure for long-term healing.
• Emphasis on Long-Term Health: While curing symptoms, this comprehensive care builds sustained mental and emotional well-being, ensuring that a mother heals permanently.
• 24/7 Professional Support: We provide full-time care, and there is always help available for a mother in need at any time during the recovery process.

Author

Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre is a leading facility specializing in mental health, dementia, and addiction recovery. The team of psychiatrists, psychologists, and caregivers is committed to empowering individuals on their journey to recovery.