Mental health
Medicines for Postnatal depression
Depression that develops in the year after having a baby — a common and treatable illness, not a personal failing — managed with talking therapy and, where needed, an antidepressant chosen with breastfeeding in mind, plus support from family and the health-visiting team.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Postnatal depression?
Postnatal depression is depression that develops in the weeks and months after having a baby, usually within the first year. It is different from the short-lived "baby blues", which affect many new mothers in the first days after birth and pass on their own; postnatal depression is more persistent and gets in the way of daily life.
- How it is treated: The aim is to treat the depression effectively while supporting the parent in caring for their baby, and the right approach depends on how severe the symptoms are.
- Self-care: Accepting practical help with the baby and the home, resting when you can, eating regularly, getting outside and being gently active, staying connected with people rather than coping alone, and talking honestly to your partner, health visitor or GP all support recovery alongside any treatment.
- When to seek help: Speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor if low mood, tearfulness, anxiety or difficulty bonding with your baby last more than a couple of weeks or are affecting daily life — this is common and treatable, and asking early helps.
What it is
Postnatal depression is depression that develops in the weeks and months after having a baby, usually within the first year. It is different from the short-lived "baby blues", which affect many new mothers in the first days after birth and pass on their own; postnatal depression is more persistent and gets in the way of daily life. It can bring lasting low mood, frequent tearfulness, feelings of hopelessness, guilt or worthlessness, loss of interest and enjoyment, exhaustion that rest does not fix, and difficulty bonding with or feeling close to the baby, sometimes alongside marked anxiety or frightening intrusive thoughts. It is common, it is not a sign of being a bad parent or not loving the baby, and it is not something to be ashamed of — it is a recognised illness that responds well to treatment. Partners and others who have had a baby can be affected too. Because it can creep up gradually and many people feel reluctant to admit they are struggling, asking for help early matters.
How it is treated
The aim is to treat the depression effectively while supporting the parent in caring for their baby, and the right approach depends on how severe the symptoms are. For milder symptoms, self-care, practical and emotional support and a talking therapy are often the starting point, with guided self-help and structured psychological therapies playing a central role. For moderate to severe postnatal depression, an antidepressant — usually an SSRI — may be recommended, on its own or together with talking therapy. Choosing a medicine takes account of whether you are breastfeeding, as some options have more reassuring safety information in this situation than others, and this is discussed openly so you can make an informed decision. Support from a partner, family and friends, and from the health visitor and GP, is woven through the whole plan, and specialist perinatal mental health teams can be involved where needed. Treatment is reviewed regularly to check it is helping and to adjust it over time.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Postnatal depression
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Symptom checker
Symptoms that can point to Postnatal depression
Postnatal depression can be one cause of these symptoms. Each guide explains the other possible causes and the red-flag warning signs that mean you should get urgent help:
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
Accepting practical help with the baby and the home, resting when you can, eating regularly, getting outside and being gently active, staying connected with people rather than coping alone, and talking honestly to your partner, health visitor or GP all support recovery alongside any treatment.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
Speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor if low mood, tearfulness, anxiety or difficulty bonding with your baby last more than a couple of weeks or are affecting daily life — this is common and treatable, and asking early helps. Seek help urgently if you have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, or feel unable to cope or keep yourself or your baby safe. Very rarely, some people develop postpartum psychosis — sudden severe changes in mood, confusion, feeling unusually high or "speeded up", or seeing or hearing things that are not there; this is a medical emergency that needs immediate help. If anyone is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E; for urgent advice you can call 111 and ask for the urgent perinatal mental health service, and the Samaritans are available day or night on 116 123.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Postnatal depression: frequently asked questions
What medicines are used for postnatal depression?
When medication is needed for moderate to severe postnatal depression, an antidepressant — usually an SSRI — is the typical first choice, used on its own or alongside a talking therapy. If you are breastfeeding, the particular SSRI is chosen with that in mind, because some have more reassuring safety information during breastfeeding than others. This is discussed openly with you so you can weigh up the options. For milder symptoms, self-care and talking therapy are often enough, with medicines added if needed.
How is postnatal depression different from the "baby blues"?
The "baby blues" are very common in the first few days after birth — tearfulness, mood swings and feeling overwhelmed — and they usually settle on their own within a couple of weeks. Postnatal depression is more persistent and more intense, lasting longer and interfering with everyday life, with lasting low mood, hopelessness, exhaustion, anxiety or difficulty bonding with the baby. If low mood does not lift after the first couple of weeks, or is severe at any point, it is worth seeking help rather than waiting.
Can I be treated for postnatal depression while breastfeeding?
Yes. Postnatal depression is treatable even if you are breastfeeding, and you should not feel you have to choose between getting well and feeding your baby. Talking therapies carry no risk to the baby, and where an antidepressant is needed there are SSRIs with more reassuring safety information during breastfeeding. Your GP or perinatal mental health team will discuss the options with you so you can make an informed choice. Treating the depression is important for both you and your baby.
What is postpartum psychosis and how is it different?
Postpartum psychosis is a rare but serious condition that can develop suddenly, usually in the first days or weeks after birth. Unlike postnatal depression, it can involve severe and rapidly changing mood, confusion, feeling unusually high, restless or "speeded up", and seeing, hearing or believing things that are not real. It is a psychiatric emergency that needs immediate help — call 999 or go to A&E, or call 111 for urgent perinatal mental health advice. With prompt treatment people recover, so acting quickly is what matters most.
Keep reading
Related articles
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE CKS: Depression — antenatal and postnatal.
- Royal College of Psychiatrists: Postnatal depression.
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