3. How long has it been since your postpartum depression first started?
It’s been 7 years. The first year and a half postpartum was the worst. – Vanessa
2 years. – Anonymous
It began in the first few weeks after birth, so nearly 18 months now. – Alexandra
Five years. Since then I have had a daughter, my postpartum depression got worse after her birth. It’s a constant struggle but with the help and support of my midwife and family doctor it’s been easy to manage! – Amber
If I’m being honest, it started the moment he was born. – Anonymous
3 years. – Nicole
Three months – Anonymous
13 months – Brittany
Started December 2017. – Jodi
3 years. – Anonymous
8 years. I have had 2 more children since my first diagnosis. With my third and final delivery I was diagnosed with PPD/PPA psychosis. – Ashley G.
11 years. – Anonymous
It’s been 6 months. – Amanda
Five years. – Anonymous
Almost two years. – Katy
With my first kid it lasted a bit over a year. It got easier as time went on with treatment and therapy. With my second child it came on pretty hard but lasted about 4 months and has gradually gotten better quicker. – Samantha
Eight months.– Anonymous
Baby is 3 months old and I would say it started around him being one month. – Melissa
Since right after my son was born April 2017. – Marcella
10 months. – Anonymous
Four months. – Emily
19 months. – Lorena from Motherhood Unfiltered
With my first son I had it for 4 months. He is 3 1/2. I was diagnosed at 2 weeks postpartum with my second son, and he is almost one. – Chelsea
It’s been 4 months since I noticed it, but I would say I’ve had it since the day I was released from the hospital. – Kathryn
2 years. – Anonymous
3 or more years ago. – Krista
Well my kids are 7 and 5 now… – Karen from Pregnancy and Postpartum Mental Health of Lancaster County
I believe my PPD was in full-effect from day one, but if we are going by the diagnosis date, 7 months. – Leah Elizabeth from Lottie & Me
About 6 months. It got bad about 2 months BEFORE I gave birth honestly. – Jessica
My PPD started, probably, when I was 3 or 4 weeks postpartum. I’m now 7 months postpartum so it’s been 6 months. – Amanda from Mom Like Me
2 years and 2 months- when I had my first son…and continued on after the birth of my second son. – Anonymous
4 years. – Jacqueline from Planning in the Deep
Only a week . – Haylie
It was bad for about 2.5 years. – Crystal from Heart and Home Doula
Almost 8 months. – Anonymous
6 months. – Anonymous
A few months. – Anonymous
4 months. – Anonymous
Almost 2 years. I think I’m back in the regular depression zone now but how can you tell? I’m still nursing my toddler so maybe not. – Eda
Set in a bit more than 2 weeks pp. So about 2 months – Anonymous
My first child was born in 2011, I had my next in 2014, and another in 2015. Symptoms lasted 1-2 years for each untreated. – Kathleen
I think I actually had pre-partum so about 15 months. – Stephanie
2.5 years. – Yonat from Embodied Therapy Santa Rosa
I don’t know. – Beth
Postpartum depression can last long after the postpartum period.
There’s a misconception that postpartum depression is a disorder that only affects moms in the “new baby stage.” While the first three months are normally when postpartum depression shows the first symptoms, it can last a whole lot longer than many realize. Postpartum depression can relapse upon the birth of another child, stress, illness, trauma or another trigger. Without treatment, it can be a lifelong battle.
What can we do to change this?
Seek treatment. Don’t expect postpartum depression to go away on it’s own, even if your symptoms start to get better. As your baby gets older, you’ll likely be able to fit in more sleep and better self care, which means the symptoms may ease up. But there are several different options available that can improve your quality of life now and in the long run. In addition to anti-depressants, there are different types of therapy available such as cognitive behavior therapy, and video therapy sessions.
