Symptoms used to diagnose
The ruleMeets criteria for a depressive episode, with onset during pregnancy or within 4 weeks of birth (DSM-5-TR); ICD-11 and many clinicians use up to 12 months.
Core symptoms
- Depressed mood
- Loss of interest or pleasure
Other symptoms
- Sleep problems beyond what a baby causes
- Severe anxiety, often about the baby
- Feeling unable to bond or cope
- Intrusive frightening thoughts
- Guilt, worthlessness, feeling a 'bad mother'
- Thoughts of self-harm — urgent help needed
How diagnosis works
- Meets criteria for a depressive episode.
- DSM-5-TR: onset during pregnancy or within 4 weeks of birth ('peripartum onset'); in practice clinicians consider the whole first year.
- ICD-11 classifies it within 6 weeks of delivery (6E20).
A diagnosis is made by a qualified clinician after a full assessment — this summary is to help you understand it, not to self-diagnose.
Commonly used medications
Therapies & support
- CBT
- Interpersonal therapy
- Perinatal mental health teams
- Peer support
Good to know
- Postpartum psychosis is a medical emergency — seek help the same day.
Sources
- 01Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR)
American Psychiatric Association, 2022
- 02ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics — Chapter 6: Mental, behavioural or neurodevelopmental disorders
World Health Organization, 2022
- 03The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines
Horowitz & Taylor, Wiley-Blackwell, 2024