How Long Does Postpartum Depression Really Last?

A new, comprehensive review of clinical studies examining postpartum depression has shown that although symptoms of postpartum depression in most women recede over time, for a large number of women, depression remains a long-term problem.Although it is common to experience mood swings or become tearful in the weeks following childbirth, in some women these symptoms may become more persistent and severe, and could be an indication of postpartum depression.We already know that postpartum depression usually occurs in the first 4 to 6 weeks after giving birth, and it is unlikely to get better by itself.This makes recognizing the symptoms of postpartum depression very important, so that doctors are able to provide the appropriate treatment without impacting the care of the baby.In this new report, published in the Harvard Review of Psychiatry, researchers compared the findings of studies on postpartum depression published between 1985 and 2012.