Postpartum depression

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What is postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression (PPD), also called postnatal depression, is a form of clinical depression which can affect women, and less frequently men, after childbirth.

Common symptoms reported by people with postpartum depression

Common symptoms
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Listen to Music Cigarettes Relaxation Techniques
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Multivitamins Naps Vitamin B Complex
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Clonazepam Alprazolam Lorazepam
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Fluoxetine Sertraline Bupropion
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Writing Buprenorphine-Naloxone Meditation
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Tramadol Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) Cyclobenzaprine
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Family and Friends Isolate myself Sertraline
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.
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Treatments taken by people with postpartum depression

Treatment name(s)
Type
How many have tried
Tried for
Treatment name(s)

(Zoloft)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
24
Tried for
postpartum depression (19) depressed mood (4)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Celexa)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
9
Tried for
postpartum depression (8) depressed mood (2)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Lexapro)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
8
Tried for
anxious mood (4) postpartum depression (4)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Klonopin)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
7
Tried for
anxious mood (7)
Treatment name(s)

(Effexor XR)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
7
Tried for
postpartum depression (7) depressed mood (3)
Treatment name(s)

(BuSpar)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
6
Tried for
anxious mood (5) depressed mood (2)
Treatment name(s)

(Talk therapy)
Type
Psychotherapy
How many have tried
6
Tried for
postpartum depression (5) depressed mood (1)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Prozac)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
5
Tried for
postpartum depression (4) depressed mood (2)
Treatment name(s)

(Wellbutrin XL)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
4
Tried for
depressed mood (2) postpartum depression (2)
Treatment name(s)

(Xanax)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
3
Tried for
anxious mood (3)
Data from patients with postpartum depression, who reported starting treatments within the last 5 years.
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Compare treatments taken by people with postpartum depression

Treatment name(s)
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment name(s)

(Zoloft)
Perceived effectiveness
for postpartum depression (6 evaluations)
Side effects
decreased sex drive (libido) fatigue 13 more
Total evaluations
8
Tried for
postpartum depression (19) depressed mood (4)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Celexa)
Perceived effectiveness
for postpartum depression (5 evaluations)
Side effects
digestive problems drug interactions 3 more
Total evaluations
6
Tried for
postpartum depression (8) depressed mood (2)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Lexapro)
Perceived effectiveness
for anxious mood (3 evaluations)
Side effects
nausea paranoia 5 more
Total evaluations
7
Tried for
anxious mood (4) postpartum depression (4)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Klonopin)
Perceived effectiveness
for anxious mood (2 evaluations)
Side effects
hangover effect sleepiness
Total evaluations
3
Tried for
anxious mood (7)
Treatment name(s)

(Effexor XR)
Perceived effectiveness
for postpartum depression (3 evaluations)
Side effects
fatigue lightheadedness 1 more
Total evaluations
5
Tried for
postpartum depression (7) depressed mood (3)
Treatment name(s)

(BuSpar)
Perceived effectiveness
for anxious mood (2 evaluations)
Side effects
itchy bumps lightheadedness
Total evaluations
3
Tried for
anxious mood (5) depressed mood (2)
Treatment name(s)

(Talk therapy)
Perceived effectiveness
for postpartum depression (7 evaluations)
Side effects
Total evaluations
7
Tried for
postpartum depression (5) depressed mood (1)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Prozac)
Perceived effectiveness
for postpartum depression (2 evaluations)
Side effects
decreased sex drive (libido) drowsiness 1 more
Total evaluations
3
Tried for
postpartum depression (4) depressed mood (2)
Treatment name(s)

(Wellbutrin XL)
Perceived effectiveness
for postpartum depression (1 evaluation)
Side effects
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
depressed mood (2) postpartum depression (2)
Treatment name(s)

(Xanax)
Perceived effectiveness
for anxious mood (2 evaluations)
Side effects
drowsiness tiredness
Total evaluations
2
Tried for
anxious mood (3)
  • Major
  • Moderate
  • Slight
  • None
  • Can't tell
  • Severe
  • Moderate
  • Mild
  • None
Data from patients with postpartum depression, who reported starting treatments within the last 5 years.
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Who has postpartum depression on PatientsLikeMe?

Age
Age Proportion # of patients
<20 8
20s 560
30s 764
40s 577
50s 337
60s 166
70+ 44
Age at first symptom
Age at first symptom Proportion # of patients
0-19 years 102
20-29 years 349
30-39 years 134
40-49 years 20
50-59 years 2
60-69 years 0
70+ years 0

Distribution of sex

Sex
Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 66
Female 2398
Diagnosis status
Diagnosis status Proportion # of patients
Diagnosed 971
Not Diagnosed 870
These charts show data from postpartum depression patients who have completed their condition history
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