Can you go to work with postpartum depression?

Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
Updated on May 29, 2025
00:00
00:00

When postpartum depression occurs, the individual is unable to resume normal work and life. If the condition is mild, it requires a period of adjustment and treatment before returning to normal life and work. If the condition is severe, the treatment period will be longer, possibly three to five years. Moreover, postpartum depression is prone to recurrence, and in severe cases, there may be suicidal tendencies. Symptoms often include excessive mental tension, insomnia, and low spirits, necessitating significant support from family members.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
54sec home-news-image

Postpartum depression should seek what clinic?

Postpartum depression is relatively common in clinical practice and can severely harm women's health. If not intervened in time, it can lead to serious pathological changes in the mother, and in severe cases, lead to grave consequences. Mothers suspected of having postpartum depression should seek medical attention promptly, with the most common department being the psychiatric outpatient clinic. Although postpartum depression is related to childbirth, general obstetric outpatient clinics are not particularly specialized in treating depression. Consultations with specialized psychiatric or psychological doctors should be sought to determine the presence of postpartum depression. If confirmed, psychological counseling should be provided, along with pharmacological treatment. Without examination and treatment, there might be incidences of self-harm in pregnant women.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
41sec home-news-image

Is the incidence of postpartum depression high?

The incidence of postpartum depression is around 15%-30%, and it is a common psychiatric disorder among women after childbirth. This condition arises due to the change in social roles for women postpartum, as well as changes in hormones, psychological stress, emotional levels, and attention from family members, bringing a series of physical, emotional, and psychological changes. Typically, postpartum depression occurs within six weeks of childbirth and can last throughout the entire postpartum period, with some cases lasting even longer, up until the child starts school.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
48sec home-news-image

Which department should I go to for postpartum depression?

In cases of postpartum depression, it is advisable for family members to accompany the new mother to the hospital to see a psychologist. Postpartum depression is a mental and psychological disorder that occurs in women after childbirth, mainly related to changes in hormone levels in the body after childbirth. Additionally, it is related to increased mental stress, emotional changes, and the level of family attention after childbirth. When postpartum depression occurs, the emotions of the affected women generally tend to be quite low. They may also lose confidence in life and, in severe cases, may feel despair towards life and even exhibit suicidal tendencies. Therefore, it is crucial for family members to offer more care and affection.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
34sec home-news-image

Can postpartum depression be inherited?

Postpartum depression is not inherited by children. It is mainly due to anxiety, tension, irritability, and other negative emotions that appear after childbirth. The occurrence of postpartum depression is mainly caused by both physiological and psychological influences after childbirth. This impact is due to the emotional changes in the mother and is generally not inherited by children, as the mother's body is healthy and her emotions are good during pregnancy. Therefore, this emotional behavior is generally not inherited.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
39sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of postpartum depression?

Women often experience emotional changes after childbirth, which may be related to mental tension, stress, and physical fatigue postpartum. Clinically, this is mainly manifested as a decline in psychological function or impairment in social functions, presenting as negative emotional states with prolonged duration. Symptoms primarily include feeling low, frequent crying, insomnia, loss of appetite, depression, and intense guilt and feelings of inferiority towards the baby. These are all symptoms of postpartum depression.