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 Suicide is one of the leading causes of death for new mothers, and sleep difficulties can exacerbate suicidal thoughts for mothers experiencing postpartum depression. —Jasmine Mote, Scientific American, 5 Aug. 2024 Or Joan Vassos, who had a very romantic one-on-one date with Gerry early on, only to decide in episode 3 that her daughter, a new mother struggling with postpartum depression, really, really needed her back at home? —EW.com, 14 Aug. 2024 Kylie Jenner is getting candid about her journey experience with postpartum depression. —Emma Aerin Becker, Peoplemag, 13 Aug. 2024 Finding Postpartum Support After having the baby, support becomes even more crucial as Cook says one main risk factor in developing postpartum depression is lack of postpartum support. —Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 5 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for postpartum depression 

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 19 Sep. 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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