For postpartum blues, no specific treatment may be necessary because the condition goes away by itself. If symptoms don’t go away within 2 weeks, call your doctor.
For postpartum depression, the severity of the illness will guide the health care provider in choosing treatment. Milder forms may be treated with psychological therapy. More severe forms may require medication. A combination is sometimes helpful.
- Your doctor may refer you for psychological help and individual or group therapy.
- Support groups are helpful.
- Marriage counseling may be part of your treatment plan.
- It’s important for friends and family to understand the illness so they can help.
- Medications can be helpful.
Medications
Vitamins: It is probably a good idea to continue to take prenatal vitamins and iron after delivery.
Antidepressants: Drugs such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), or venlafaxine (Effexor) may be given for as long as a year (possibly longer). Other medications that might be used include lithium or valproic acid (Depakote).
Hormone therapy: Estrogen, often in combination with an antidepressant, sometimes helps with postpartum depression. Some women also need thyroid treatment.
If you are breastfeeding, medicine you take can be passed to your baby. Some antidepressants can be used safely with little risk to your baby. We do recommend that you check with your doctor if you want to take non-prescription drugs, even if they are freely available in pharmacies or drug stores.
