Postpartum Disorders

Dysphoric milk ejection reflex (D-MER) causes brief emotional distress during breastfeeding, often misdiagnosed as postpartum depression, requiring better awareness and support.

Biogen's zuranolone gains positive opinion for treating postpartum depression, promising rapid symptom relief and potential EU approval by 2025.

About 40% of women who have postpartum depression go unrecognized and untreated, and they are still symptomatic 3 years later.

Dr Wilsa Charles Malveaux highlights the urgent need to address mental health in Black Maternal Health Week, especially for Black mothers and athletes.

On April 7, 2025, the World Health Organization launched a yearlong initiative focused on improving maternal and newborn health.

Motherhood: what is truth vs idealized narrative?

A one-size-fits-all approach does not work—each mother’s experience with postpartum depression is unique.

Learn more about the impact birth complications and life factors may have on postpartum depression.

Here are 10 things to consider when treating a patient with mood disorders.

Melanie Barrett, MD; Anita Clayton, MD, and Carmen Kosicek, MSN, PMHNP-BC, discuss how prompt intervention combining psychotherapy, social support mobilization, and potential medication options provides comprehensive care for the mother experiencing PPD symptoms at 12 weeks, with emphasis on both immediate symptom relief and long-term recovery strategies.

Melanie Barrett, MD; Anita Clayton, MD, and Carmen Kosicek, MSN, PMHNP-BC, discuss how a mother's PPD symptoms emerged gradually through increasing anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and emotional detachment, ultimately leading her to seek professional help after her partner noticed concerning behavioral changes at 12 weeks postpartum.

Melanie Barrett, MD; Anita Clayton, MD, and Carmen Kosicek, MSN, PMHNP-BC, discuss how postpartum depression treatments are evolving beyond traditional antidepressants to include rapid-acting options like brexanolone and zuranolone, along with enhanced screening and support programs for new mothers.

Check out these top tips for treating postpartum depression from the Real Psychiatry conference!

Melanie Barrett, MD; Anita Clayton, MD, and Carmen Kosicek, MSN, PMHNP-BC, discuss how effective screening tools like the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and PHQ-9, combined with comprehensive clinical assessments, are crucial for accurately identifying postpartum depression during routine prenatal and postnatal visits.

Melanie Barrett, MD; Anita Clayton, MD, and Carmen Kosicek, MSN, PMHNP-BC, discuss how breaking the stigma around postpartum depression requires both healthcare providers and society to normalize open conversations about maternal mental health, while encouraging mothers to seek support without shame or judgment.

Melanie Barrett, MD; Anita Clayton, MD, and Carmen Kosicek, MSN, PMHNP-BC, discuss how real patients navigate the complex journey of seeking and receiving postpartum depression care, from overcoming stigma and recognizing symptoms to finding appropriate healthcare providers and accessing treatment while managing new motherhood responsibilities.

Melanie Barrett, MD; Anita Clayton, MD, and Carmen Kosicek, MSN, PMHNP-BC, discuss how postpartum depression affects up to 1 in 7 new mothers, presenting with symptoms like persistent sadness, anxiety, and difficulty bonding with the baby, yet remains underdiagnosed and undertreated despite being highly treatable through therapy, medication, and support systems.

Looking to buy books as gifts this year? We've got you covered.

Patients who have experienced a perinatal loss are at increased risk of MDD, anxiety disorders, and trauma-related disorders.