Postpartum depression, and one treatment in particular - a new drug called Zurzuvae - have been making headlines recently. This comes as actress Jennifer Lawrence recently spoke publicly about her postpartum experience – and credited Zurzuvae (unsponsored!) helping her recovery. Postpartum depression is common (occurring in ~1 in 7 new moms) and often underdiagnosed in part due to shame, stigma, or not knowing what’s ‘normal’ in the postpartum period, so here’s what the evidence shows about identifying and treating PPD.

📚The tl;dr from the evidence: Postpartum depression (and other perinatal mental health conditions) are distinct from the common “baby blues,” which affect up to 80% of new parents but typically resolve within 1-2 weeks without any treatment. PPD is longer lasting (>2 weeks) and more intense than the baby blues, and interferes with your ability to function normally or care for yourself or your baby.

Some of the specific symptoms include persistent sadness or hopelessness, difficulty bonding with your baby, feeling guilty or worthless about not being a good parent, significant changes in sleep or appetite, trouble concentrating or loss of interest/pleasure, withdrawal from friends/family, and/or thoughts of harming yourself or your baby. If you’re experiencing thoughts of harm, please reach out for help right away: contact your provider, or if they are unavailable, call a mental health crisis support line or visit the ER.

Recognizing these signs and seeking support is a sign of strength, not failure or shame. PPD is very treatable, and there are multiple different types of safe and effective options – across therapy, different types of medications, and support groups.

Therapy (including individual and/or group based therapy) is highly effective as the first line of treatment, and medication is often considered in addition to talk therapy. Multiple kinds of medications are available, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which are commonly used antidepressants both during and outside of the perinatal period. Additionally, zuranolone (branded as Zurzuvae) is the first oral medication approved specifically for postpartum depression, and is taken by mouth for a 2 week period. Your doctor can work with you to find the course of care that is most appropriate and effective for your specific needs.

👀 Read Penny’s full summary of the evidence for more on navigating postpartum depression

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