> One in five new mothers face mental health challenges in the first year postpartum, and in some low- and middle-income countries, one in three pregnant women suffers from depressive symptoms.
“My baby is healthy, everything is fine, but all I want to do is cry.” This is the sentiment of many mothers suffering from postpartum depression. Globally, approximately 17% of new mothers experience postpartum depression, and this percentage is even higher in developing countries.
It is not a result of personality weakness or suicidal thoughts, but rather a disease caused by the combined effects of **physiological, psychological, and social factors**, requiring proper understanding and professional treatment.
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## 01 Global Status Quo: A Neglected Health Crisis
Postpartum depression is the most common mental health problem during the perinatal period. According to a global guidelines assessment study published by Cambridge University in 2025, approximately 10-15% of women are affected by it.
In low- and middle-income countries, this proportion is as high as **20-40%**.
A systematic review in Africa revealed that one in three pregnant women in the country suffers from depressive symptoms, with a prevalence of postpartum depression reaching as high as **55.3%** in some areas.
A 2025 study in Ghana found that the incidence of postpartum depression in the Kumasi region was 14%.
The situation in East Asia is equally concerning. Data from my country shows that approximately **14.7%** of postpartum women experience depressive symptoms, while Taiwan’s Far Eastern Memorial Hospital indicates a global prevalence of approximately 17.7%.
Behind these figures lies a significant treatment gap—in resource-scarce areas, **treatment coverage is less than 20%**, and 75% of primary healthcare centers lack depression screening programs.
## 02 Recognizing Symptoms, Beyond the Truth of “Feeling Bad”
The core symptoms of postpartum depression go far beyond simply “low mood.” They include persistent low mood, loss of interest in activities, extreme fatigue, inability to concentrate, and even negative thoughts about oneself or the baby.
**Baby blues** are fundamentally different from **postpartum depression**.
Baby blues typically appear within 4 to 10 days postpartum, manifesting as frequent crying and mood swings, but it does not affect daily functioning and usually resolves on its own within a short period.
Postpartum depression, on the other hand, can occur up to a year postpartum, with symptoms lasting **more than two weeks**, and significantly impacting daily life and childcare.
The UK NICE guidelines recommend using **two key depression questions** for initial screening: “Have you often felt distressed, depressed, or hopeless in the past month?” and “Have you often felt distressed or lacking interest in activities in the past month?”
In anxiety screening, a score of 3 or higher on the GAD-2 tool suggests a full evaluation.
## 03 Complex Triggers, a Multifaceted Biological, Psychological, and Social Factor
Postpartum depression risk factors encompass multiple physiological, psychological, and social aspects.
**Physiological Aspects:** The sharp decline in estrogen and progesterone levels after childbirth can lead to low mood, negative attitudes, and extreme physical discomfort. Teenage mothers and mothers over 35 years of age also have a higher risk of postpartum depression.
**Psychological Factors:** Women with a history of depression have a 20-fold increased risk of postpartum depression. Postpartum anxiety and obsessive-compulsive thoughts are also common risks; studies have found that approximately 40% of postpartum women experience anxiety-related symptoms. Postpartum women face multiple relationships involving work, childcare, and family, leading to insufficient energy and mental stress.
**Social Factors:** These may play a catalytic role. Insufficient family support, economic stress, and marital tension all increase the risk.
Studies conducted in Africa have found that intimate partner violence (IPV) increases the risk of postpartum depression by three times, and food insecurity shows a dose-response relationship with the severity of depression.
## 04 Professional Treatment and Scientific Intervention Methods
According to the 2025 Global Clinical Practice Guidelines for Postpartum Depression, **Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)** are currently the most recommended treatments.
Regarding **non-pharmacological treatment**, all guidelines recommend CBT as a first-line treatment for mild to moderate postpartum depression, suggesting 8-12 sessions; 68% of the guidelines also recommend interpersonal therapy (IPT).
In **pharmacological treatment**, 89% of the guidelines include recommendations for medication, with 58% listing SSRIs (such as sertraline and citalopram) as the first-line drugs for moderate to severe postpartum depression.
The UK NICE guidelines emphasize using the **lowest effective dose**, especially in situations where the risk may be dose-related.
For severe cases, guidelines such as those from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommend the new drug Brexanolone (intravenous neurosterol) for rapid relief of severe symptoms.
The use of screening tools is also crucial; 68% of guidelines recommend using the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) for screening.
## 05 Prevention Support: A Comprehensive Protective Network
Social support is a key factor in preventing postpartum depression. Family members should proactively take on tasks such as nighttime feedings and diaper changes to ensure the mother gets continuous, high-quality sleep each day.
Appropriate postpartum care arrangements, such as a balanced diet, sufficient rest, and support from family and friends, can help reduce stress for the mother.
Psychological adjustment is equally important. Maintaining social interaction, communicating with friends and family, sharing parenting experiences, and avoiding isolation are all important. Moderate exercise, such as light walking or postpartum yoga, can help relieve stress and improve mood.
Regarding professional prevention, a research team at Brigham and Women’s General Hospital in Massachusetts has developed a new artificial intelligence (AI) predictive model to help identify high-risk groups for postpartum depression.
This allows healthcare professionals to provide them with personalized postpartum care plans to prevent postpartum depression. —
An AI predictive model developed by Massachusetts General Hospital in Brigham and Women’s Hospital can now identify high-risk groups for postpartum depression. This means that in the future, we can intervene **earlier, providing support before the crisis occurs**.
As American psychiatrist Roy Perlis stated, “If we can know in advance who is at high risk, we can provide them with a tailored postpartum care plan.”
**A healthy child comes not only from a healthy body, but also from the nourishment of a healthy mind**. And a mother’s healthy mind requires the joint protection of the entire society.