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
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
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
Richard A. FriedmanExamples of postpartum depression in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Man Headed to Take Paternity Test Killed Ex-Girlfriend and Set Her on Fire, Abandoned 7-Month-Old Baby on Road
Harshman's friend Briana Baker told the Scripps News Group that Harshman had mental health struggles, including suffering from postpartum depression.
—Christine Pelisek, People.com, 13 Feb. 2025
An estimated 500,000 people are affected by postpartum depression each year, Axios' Tina Reed reports.
—Alexis Clinton, Axios, 23 Jan. 2025
Image The cheeky line was a foil for her postpartum depression, which manifested in a potent mix of self-loathing, apathy for her son and rage toward her husband.
—Maggie Lange, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
Leave a comment View Comments And women with dysmenorrhea may be more likely to experience postpartum depression, Taylor added.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN, 29 Nov. 2024
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Christine Pelisek, People.com, 13 Feb. 2025
An estimated 500,000 people are affected by postpartum depression each year, Axios' Tina Reed reports.
—Alexis Clinton, Axios, 23 Jan. 2025
Image The cheeky line was a foil for her postpartum depression, which manifested in a potent mix of self-loathing, apathy for her son and rage toward her husband.
—Maggie Lange, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
Leave a comment View Comments And women with dysmenorrhea may be more likely to experience postpartum depression, Taylor added.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN, 29 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for postpartum depression
Dictionary Entries Near postpartum depression
Cite this Entry
“Postpartum depression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/postpartum%20depression. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.
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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
Jill U. Adams, Los Angeles TimesMost 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
Ellen Rapp, ParentingDoctors typically treat postpartum depression with medication, talk therapy or both.—Susan H. Greenberg and Karen Springen, Newsweek
Susan H. Greenberg and Karen Springen, NewsweekNote: 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 bluesLove words? Need even more definitions?
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