postpartum depression

[ pohst-pahrtuhm di-presh-uhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Psychiatry. clinical depression in a mother, beginning shortly after giving birth and typically lasting from weeks to months, due partly to the hormonal disruption caused by childbirth and the psychological challenge posed by the sudden change in role and identity: characterized variously by withdrawal, low self-image, failure to bond with one’s infant, lack of motivation, feelings of guilt, etc.

First recorded in 1925–30

When a new mother suffers from postpartum depression, that pressure can be fatal.

Tragically, she developed severe postpartum depression, crippling her with near-psychotic ruminations, anger, and guilt.

She had suffered postpartum depression after the birth of the twins.

With the baby came the exhausting demands any single mother faces, along with postpartum depression.

Looking back on things I had several signs of postpartum depression too.

April 18, 2024petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

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