Treatment of Postpartum Depression: Clinical and Pharmacological Options

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common complication of childbearing, and has increasingly been identified as a major public health problem Clinical study have consistently shown that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are effective in treating postpartum depression (PPD). In fact, SSRIs are considered a first-line treatment option for PPD due to their efficacy and relatively safe profile during breastfeeding. Untreated maternal depression has multiple potential negative effects on maternal-infant attachment and child development. Screening for depression in the perinatal period is feasible in multiple primary care or obstetric settings, and can help identify depressed mothers earlier. However, there are multiple barriers to appropriate treatment, including concerns about medication effects in breastfeeding infants. This article reviews the literature and recommendations for the treatment of postpartum depression, with a focus on the range of pharmacological, psychotherapeutic, and other nonpharmacologic interventions.