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Treatment - Postnatal depression

Speak to a GP, midwife or health visitor as soon as possible if you think you might have postnatal depression or depression during pregnancy (antenatal depression). With appropriate treatment and support, most women make a full recovery, although it can take time.

The 3 main types of treatment are:

  • self-help – for example, talking to your family and friends about your feelings, making time to do things you enjoy, getting as much sleep as you can at night, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet
  • talking therapy – a GP may be able to recommend a self-help course or refer you for a course of therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
  • antidepressants – these may be recommended if your depression is more severe or other treatments have not helped; your doctor can prescribe a medicine that's safe to take while breastfeeding

Talk to a GP about the pros and cons of different treatments so you can decide together what's best for you.

They may check to see if any physical health problems may be causing or contributing to feelings of depression.

For instance, you may be anaemic after giving birth or your thyroid may not be working properly. This can cause or add to any feelings of depression. These types of physical health problems can usually be easily treated.

Self-help for postnatal depression

Looking after a baby can be stressful and challenging for anyone, and it can be even tougher if you're dealing with postnatal depression as well.

There are a number of things you can try yourself to improve your symptoms and help you cope.

These include:

  • talking to your partner, friends and family – try to help them understand how you're feeling and what they can do to support you
  • not trying to be a "supermum" – accept help from others when it's offered and ask your loved ones if they can help look after the baby and do tasks such as housework, cooking and shopping
  • making time for yourself – try to do activities that you find relaxing and enjoyable, such as going for a walk, listening to music, reading a book or having a warm bath
  • resting when you can – although it can be difficult when you're looking after a baby, try to sleep whenever you get the chance, follow good sleeping habits and ask your partner to help with the night-time work
  • exercising regularly to boost your mood
  • eating regular, healthy meals and not going for long periods without eating
  • not drinking alcohol or taking drugs, as this can make you feel worse

Ask your health visitor about support services in your area. They may be able to put you in touch with a social worker, counsellor or local support group.

It can be reassuring to meet other women who are going through something similar.

Find postnatal depression support in your area

Talking therapies

Talking therapies are usually the first treatment recommended for women with postnatal depression.

Guided self-help

Guided self-help involves working through a book or online course on your own or with some help from a therapist.

The course materials focus on the issues you might be facing, with practical advice on how to deal with them.

The courses typically last 9 to 12 weeks.

Cognitive behavioural therapy

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy based on the idea that unhelpful and unrealistic thinking leads to negative behaviour.

CBT aims to break this cycle and find new ways of thinking that can help you behave in a more positive way.

For example, some women have unrealistic expectations about what being a mum is like and feel they should never make mistakes.

As part of CBT, you'll be encouraged to see that these thoughts are unhelpful and discuss ways to think more positively.

CBT can be carried out either 1-to-1 with a therapist or in a group. Treatment will often last 3 to 4 months.

Interpersonal therapy

Interpersonal therapy (IPT) involves talking to a therapist about the problems you're experiencing.

It aims to identify problems in your relationships with family, friends or partners and how they might relate to your feelings of depression.

Treatment also usually lasts 3 to 4 months.

Find an NHS talking therapies service

Antidepressants

Antidepressants may be recommended if you have moderate or severe depression and you do not want to try psychological treatment or psychological treatment does not help.

They may also be used if you have mild postnatal depression and a history of depression.

Antidepressants work by balancing mood-altering chemicals in your brain.

They can help ease symptoms such as low mood, irritability, lack of concentration and sleeplessness, allowing you to function normally and helping you cope better with your new baby.

Antidepressants usually need to be taken for at least 1 to 2 weeks before the benefit starts to be felt, so it's important to keep taking them even if you do not notice an improvement straight away. It can take up to 6 weeks to see the full effect.

You'll usually need to take them for around 6 months after you start to feel better. If you stop too early, your depression may come back.

If you decide to stop taking your medicine, talk to a GP or your specialist. They can help you stop safely.

Antidepressants and breastfeeding

If you're breastfeeding, talk to your doctor about suitable medicines, as not all antidepressants are safe to take while breastfeeding.

Your doctor should explain any risks of taking antidepressants and you should be offered the type with the least risk for you and your baby.

When deciding about antidepressants it is important to consider the risks the untreated mental health problem can pose to yourself and your baby, as well as risks associated with side effects.

Side effects

General side effects of antidepressants include:

These side effects should pass once your body gets used to the medicine.

Severe postnatal depression

If your postnatal depression is very severe and does not respond to treatment, you may be referred to a specialist community perinatal mental health team.

Specialist community perinatal mental health teams are available across England.

These teams provide care and treatment to women with complex mental health needs during pregnancy and after giving birth. They help support the developing relationship between mothers and babies.

Ask a GP or health visitor about these teams and whether a referral would be helpful for you. The team will be able to offer additional treatments, such as:

  • more intensive CBT
  • other talking treatments, such as psychotherapy
  • therapies such as baby massage to help you bond better with your baby, if this has become a problem
  • different medicines

If your depression is severe you may be admitted to hospital or a mental health clinic until you are well enough to return home. Ideally this should be with your baby in a specialised mother and baby mental health unit.

Find out more about mother and baby mental health units on the Action on Postpartum Psychosis website

Charities and support groups

There are a number of national support groups that you can contact for advice.

You can also use them to attend events with other parents affected by postnatal depression.

These groups include:

You can also search for local support groups and find details of national telephone or email support lines on the Maternal Mental Health Alliance website.

Page last reviewed: 4 August 2022
Next review due: 4 August 2025