Postnatal Depression and Perinatal Anxiety: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
Postnatal depression is a common mental health condition that can develop after having a baby, bringing low mood, worry and difficulty enjoying life or bonding with your baby. It can start during pregnancy or at any point in the first year. It usually gets better with treatment, and NICE recommends effective talking therapies.
What is postnatal depression?
Feeling tearful, anxious or irritable in the first few days after birth is very common. This is often called the baby blues, and it usually passes within two weeks. Postnatal depression is different. It lasts longer, can begin later, and makes it hard to cope with daily life.
Postnatal depression (also referred to as postpartum depression) can develop gradually, so many people don't realise at first that it's what they're experiencing. NHS guidance estimates it affects more than 1 in 10 women within a year of giving birth. It is as serious as any other type of depression, and it isn't a sign that you're a bad parent.
Fathers and partners can be affected too. NHS information notes that up to 1 in 10 new fathers become depressed after having a baby.
When depression begins during pregnancy, it's called antenatal depression. Together, the time during pregnancy and the year after birth is known as the perinatal period.
Anxiety is common in pregnancy and after birth, and it often comes alongside depression. You might feel fearful or worry constantly, or feel sure that something bad will happen to your baby despite reassurance.
Some parents experience perinatal obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This involves intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images or urges that keep entering your mind, causing anxiety and leading to repetitive behaviours or checking.
Anxiety in pregnancy and after birth
Signs and symptoms of postnatal depression
You might notice changes in how you feel, how you think, and how you relate to your baby.
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a persistent low mood, or finding it hard to enjoy anything
hopeless, or as though you can't cope
guilty, worthless, or that you're a bad parent
fearful, anxious or worrying all the time
restless or irritable, including with your partner or other children
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difficulty sleeping, even when you get the chance to rest
difficulty concentrating or making decisions
a lack of energy
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difficult feelings about your baby, or finding it hard to bond
feeling anxious that something bad will happen to your baby
Some parents have frightening thoughts about their baby being harmed, or about harming them. These thoughts can be very distressing, but people who have them rarely harm their baby.
They are worth talking about with a health professional, and help is available. If you have thoughts of suicide or of harming yourself, please use the urgent support details further down this page.
What causes postnatal depression?
It isn't known exactly what causes postnatal depression. The stress of caring for a new baby, lack of sleep and the hormonal changes of pregnancy may all play a part. It isn't caused by hormones alone, and it isn't anyone's fault.
Things that can raise your risk include:
having depression or another mental health condition before or during pregnancy
recent difficult life events, such as losing a job or a bereavement
having a premature or unwell baby
not having enough support around you
relationship problems
experiencing domestic violence or abuse
A difficult or traumatic birth can also lead to post-traumatic stress, which our guide to PTSD explains in more detail.
How is postnatal depression diagnosed?
Your GP, midwife or health visitor will ask how you've been feeling, and may ask you to fill in a short questionnaire. NICE recommends that health professionals ask about both depression and anxiety during pregnancy and after birth.
Many parents worry that sharing how they feel could lead to their baby being taken away. It’s important to know that this is very rare and that your care team will support you in caring for your baby.
Adults can refer themselves to talking therapies without seeing a GP. You can also arrange an assessment directly with a Clinical Psychologist at Regal.
Email our team to book an appointment or learn more about our comprehensive assessments for a range of mental health conditions.
Postnatal depression treatment: what NICE recommends
NICE guideline CG192, Antenatal and postnatal mental health, sets out how depression and anxiety should be treated in pregnancy and the year after birth. NICE reviewed it in 2025 and decided no update was needed.
Talking therapies
For milder depression, NICE recommends facilitated self-help: structured materials based on CBT, worked through with support from a practitioner. For moderate to severe depression, NICE recommends a high-intensity psychological therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
Anxiety in pregnancy and after birth is treated in line with the guidance for the specific type of anxiety, again with therapies such as CBT.
Medication
Antidepressants can also help, and are prescribed by a GP or psychiatrist rather than a psychologist. If you're breastfeeding, tell your doctor: many antidepressants are safe to use, and they'll choose one that suits you. If you're pregnant, your GP may seek specialist advice before starting treatment.
Postnatal depression usually improves within 3 to 6 months, though it can last longer, and it's more likely to get better with treatment.
Perinatal support at Regal Private Therapy Practice
Our perinatal mental health support is for parents during pregnancy and the year after birth. It's led by Dr Ashleigh Powell, Clinical Psychologist and Regal's co-founder, whose clinical interests include postnatal depression, postnatal anxiety and perinatal OCD. Ashleigh brings years of senior NHS experience to her work.
We use approaches recommended in NICE guidance, including CBT. You start with a 50- to 60-minute assessment, in person in London or online across the UK, and agree a personalised plan together.
Get in touch with our team to talk through how you've been feeling.
If you need urgent support
If you are struggling to cope or worried about your safety, or your baby's, help is available now. Call 111 and select the mental health option, or contact your GP, midwife or health visitor. Samaritans are available 24 hours a day on 116 123. In an emergency, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.
Frequently asked questions about postnatal depression
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The baby blues are very common in the first few days after birth and usually pass within two weeks. If low mood, anxiety or irritability continues beyond that, gets worse, or makes it hard to cope, it may be postnatal depression. Speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor, even if you only recognise some of the signs.
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Postnatal depression can start at any point in the first year after your baby is born, and symptoms can begin during pregnancy. It often develops gradually rather than suddenly, which is why many parents don't recognise it straight away. A partner or friend may notice changes first.
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According to the NHS, postnatal depression usually gets better within 3 to 6 months, but it can sometimes last much longer. It's more likely to improve with treatment, so it's worth seeking support early rather than waiting to see whether it passes on its own.
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Yes. Fathers and partners can also become depressed after a baby arrives; national statistics show that up to 1 in 10 new fathers are affected. NICE recommends talking therapies such as CBT for depression, and a GP is a good first step.
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References
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2014, updated 2020). Antenatal and postnatal mental health (CG192)
NHS. Postnatal depression
NHS 111 Wales. Postnatal depression