What Is Postpartum Depression? Signs, Symptoms & When to Get Help

By Leah Tully, M.A. (Counselling Psychology), CCC, CT, RN, IBCLC · Tully Counselling Psychology · Edmonton, Alberta

The weeks and months after having a baby are supposed to feel joyful. And for many mothers, there are moments of profound joy. But there are also moments — or long stretches — of something much harder: exhaustion that goes beyond tiredness, a heaviness that doesn’t lift, anxiety that hums in the background of everything, or a quiet, unsettling sense of disconnection from yourself or your baby.

If this sounds familiar, you are not alone, and you are not failing as a mother. What you may be experiencing is postpartum depression — one of the most common complications of childbirth in Canada, and one that is both real and treatable.

This article explains what postpartum depression is, how it differs from the baby blues, what the signs look like, what causes it, and how to access evidence-based support in Edmonton and across Alberta.

What Is Postpartum Depression?

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a mood disorder that occurs following childbirth. It is characterised by persistent low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, significant fatigue, anxiety, difficulty bonding with your baby, and other symptoms of depression that last longer than two weeks and meaningfully interfere with daily functioning (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2023).

PPD is more than feeling tired or overwhelmed in the early days of new parenthood. It is a clinical condition with recognisable symptoms and effective treatments, and it deserves the same attention and care as any other health condition.

In Canada, a national survey found that nearly 1 in 5 mothers (17.9%) experienced symptoms consistent with postpartum depression in the first year after birth (Lanes et al., 2021). Postpartum anxiety was identified in a further 13.8% of women. These rates underscore how common perinatal mental health difficulties are — and how important it is that women feel able to ask for help without shame.

Baby Blues vs. Postpartum Depression: What Is the Difference?

It is normal to experience emotional ups and downs in the days immediately following birth. This is commonly referred to as the “baby blues.” Understanding the difference between baby blues and postpartum depression is important, because the two require different responses.

	Baby Blues	Postpartum Depression
When it starts	Within the first 2–3 days after birth	Within the first weeks to months after birth; can emerge up to 12 months postpartum
How long it lasts	Usually resolves within 2 weeks	Persists beyond 2 weeks; may last months without treatment
Severity	Mild to moderate; does not significantly impair functioning	More severe; interferes with daily life, parenting, and relationships
Common feelings	Tearfulness, irritability, mood swings, anxiety	Persistent sadness, hopelessness, numbness, difficulty bonding, intrusive thoughts
Treatment needed?	Typically resolves on its own with rest and support	Professional support is recommended — therapy, and sometimes medication

Research suggests that the baby blues are experienced by up to 80% of new mothers, while postpartum depression affects a significantly smaller but still substantial proportion (Tosto et al., 2023). Importantly, severe or persistent baby blues can be a risk factor for developing postpartum depression, so any symptoms that don’t resolve within two weeks warrant professional attention (Landman et al., 2024).

What Are the Signs of Postpartum Depression?

Postpartum depression does not always look like what we might expect. It is not always crying, or not coping visibly. Many mothers with PPD continue to function — to care for their babies, go through the motions, hold things together on the outside — while quietly struggling in ways that feel impossible to name or explain to others.

Emotional Signs

• Persistent low mood, sadness, or emptiness that doesn’t lift
• Feeling detached, numb, or emotionally flat
• Difficulty feeling love or connection toward your baby (this is more common than people realise, and does not make you a bad mother)
• Intense anxiety, worry, or a sense of dread
• Irritability or anger that feels out of proportion
• Feeling like a failure as a mother, or that your baby would be better off without you
• Loss of interest or pleasure in things you used to enjoy
• Feeling hopeless about the future

Physical Signs

• Exhaustion that goes beyond the expected tiredness of new parenthood
• Significant changes in appetite — eating much more or much less than usual
• Difficulty sleeping even when your baby is sleeping
• Physical symptoms with no clear cause — headaches, stomach problems, general unwellness

Behavioural Signs

• Withdrawing from your partner, family, or friends
• Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or thinking clearly
• Struggling to complete everyday tasks
• Intrusive, unwanted thoughts about harm coming to your baby (these are a symptom of anxiety and are not a reflection of your intentions or who you are as a mother)
• Avoiding your baby, or conversely, feeling unable to put your baby down

It is also worth knowing that postpartum depression does not only affect mothers. Research shows that non-birthing partners — including fathers — can also experience postpartum depression, and that this is frequently underidentified and underreported (Paulson & Bazemore, 2010).

What Causes Postpartum Depression?

Postpartum depression does not have a single cause. It arises from a complex interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors — which is exactly why a whole-person approach to treatment is so important.

Biological Factors

The dramatic drop in estrogen and progesterone following birth is one of the most significant hormonal shifts a person can experience. For some women, this hormonal withdrawal contributes to mood dysregulation. Thyroid changes, sleep deprivation, and nutritional depletion following pregnancy also play a role.

Psychological Risk Factors

A personal or family history of depression or anxiety is one of the strongest predictors of postpartum depression (Kjeldsen et al., 2022). Other psychological risk factors include a history of trauma, perfectionism, a tendency toward self-criticism, difficult birth experiences, and challenges with infant feeding.

Social and Environmental Factors

Social support — or the absence of it — is consistently identified as one of the most significant factors in postpartum mental health outcomes. Lack of partner support, social isolation, financial stress, relationship difficulties, and an unplanned pregnancy are all associated with higher rates of PPD (Biaggi et al., 2022). The cultural pressure on new mothers to be happy, grateful, and “fine” can make it even harder to acknowledge when things are not.

Understanding these contributors is not about assigning blame. It is about recognising that postpartum depression is not a sign of weakness, poor character, or inadequate love for your child. It is a health condition with identifiable causes and effective treatment.

How Is Postpartum Depression Treated?

Postpartum depression is highly treatable, and most women who receive appropriate support experience significant improvement. The first-line treatments for mild to moderate PPD are psychological therapies (ACOG, 2023).

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT is one of the most well-researched and effective psychological treatments for postpartum depression. It works by helping you identify and challenge the thought patterns, beliefs, and behaviours that are maintaining low mood and anxiety. A systematic review confirmed that CBT is a highly effective first-line treatment for mild to moderate PPD, with benefits that extend well beyond the end of treatment (Zhao et al., 2022).

Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)

IPT focuses on improving the quality of relationships and social support — areas that are particularly relevant for new mothers navigating major role transitions. Research has consistently demonstrated IPT’s effectiveness for postpartum depression, particularly in helping women adjust to the identity shifts and relationship changes that accompany new parenthood (Sockol et al., 2011).

Supportive and Relational Therapy

For many women, the most important first step is having a consistent, non-judgmental space to speak honestly about their experience without fear of being seen as a bad mother. Supportive therapy provides that space — and often lays the foundation for deeper therapeutic work.

Medication

For moderate to severe PPD, antidepressant medication may be recommended, often in combination with therapy. This is a conversation best had with your physician or psychiatrist, who can advise on safety considerations during breastfeeding and help you weigh the benefits and risks.

The most important thing is to reach out. The research is clear that untreated postpartum depression can have lasting effects — not only on maternal wellbeing, but on infant development and the mother-child bond (Gress-Smith et al., 2012). You do not need to wait until things become unbearable.

When Should I Seek Help?

If any of the following apply to you in the weeks or months after giving birth, please reach out to a healthcare provider or therapist:

• You have been feeling persistently low, anxious, or unlike yourself for more than two weeks
• You are struggling to bond with your baby
• You are having intrusive thoughts about harm coming to yourself or your baby
• You feel like you are failing as a mother, or that your family would be better off without you
• You are withdrawing from the people around you
• The baby blues have not resolved after two weeks
• Something just doesn’t feel right, even if you can’t name exactly what it is

If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or ending your life, please contact a crisis line or emergency services right away. In Canada, you can call or text 9-8-8 (Suicide Crisis Helpline) at any time.

Getting Support in Edmonton and Across Alberta

Prenatal and postpartum counselling is available at Tully Counselling Psychology in Edmonton, both in-person and virtually throughout Alberta. As a Registered Nurse with extensive perinatal experience and a Counselling Therapist with specialised training in women’s mental health, Leah Tully brings both clinical and human depth to supporting mothers through the perinatal period.

You deserve support. Not because things have become a crisis, but because you are moving through one of the most significant transitions of your life — and you don’t have to do it alone.