“Is postpartum depression dangerous, how long does it last?” It’s a matter of great concern. In fact, depending on the case, the severity as well as the length of time the disease lasts is different. However, it is necessary to get proper attention soon to have better protection for both mother and baby.

Overview of postpartum depression
Many women tend to have mood swings, anxiety, and tears easily in the first weeks after giving birth. However, in some people, these symptoms can become more persistent and severe. This is often thought to be a sign of postpartum depression.
According to a 2014 review of clinical studies, postpartum depression usually begins within the first 3 months after giving birth. However, it can become a long-term problem for some moms. Especially in cases where it is not detected and treated in time.
Postpartum depression is a relatively serious mental illness. It is completely different from the “baby blues” – feelings of sadness, fatigue and anxiety affect 80% of postpartum women. “Baby blues” tend to go away on their own after about 3-5 days.
In the treatment of postpartum depression, some moms are able to get a good and quick response. However, there are also people who struggle very hard with this disease. In the absence of proper care, dangerous problems can completely occur.
Is postpartum depression dangerous?
When learning about postpartum depression, many people are interested in whether this disease is dangerous? In fact, the severity and effects of the disease are different for each mother.
With proper attention early, with appropriate treatment solutions, mothers can control the symptoms of postpartum depression well. It also reduces the negative effects of the disease.
However, in case the mother is subjective, unexpected problems can occur. In addition to endangering the health and life of the mother, the disease also adversely affects the baby.
The following information will help you understand the severity of postpartum depression:
1. Harm to mother’s health
Postpartum depression goes through 3 stages from mild to severe. The more advanced the disease, the more serious the damage will be. If not treated and controlled, diaper mothers can experience some consequences such as:

- Effects on motherhood: Uncontrolled and treated postpartum depression can affect your ability to become a mother. Problems can be fatigue, not having enough energy, exhaustion, difficulty taking care of yourself and the baby.
- Suicidal: Statistics in Australia and the United Kingdom show that mothers who die by suicide after giving birth often have psychological and mental illnesses. Among them, postpartum depression is the most common. Because this disease progressed seriously, the mother had a mental breakdown. At the same time, often thinking about death and looking to suicide as a way to escape.
- Psychosis: Postpartum depression that is not prevented in nursing mothers may increase the risk of other mental disorders. Diaper mothers may experience paranoia, hallucinations, emotional changes, and unusual thoughts. Mental disorders are very serious conditions that even require hospitalization for specific monitoring.
2. Effect on baby
Postpartum depression not only affects the mother but also adversely affects your baby. The most serious thing to mention is that the children are harmed or even murdered by their own mothers.
According to experts, a mother with severe depression and psychosis will increase the risk of killing her child. This can happen as soon as 24 hours after birth until before the baby is 1 year old. Statistics also show that about 16-29% of mothers kill their babies and commit suicide soon after.
In addition, babies can experience many other influences during childhood. Such as:
- Delayed speech and delayed language development
- Having problems in perception and thinking
- Having problems in relationship with mother
- Easily agitated, crying more
- Having behavioral problems
- Lower height
- Difficulty dealing with stress
- Difficulty adapting to school
- The risk of obesity increases in preschool children

How long does postpartum depression usually last?
Besides being concerned about whether postpartum depression is dangerous, the long duration of this disease is also a matter of concern for many mothers. Usually, the longer the disease lasts, the more serious the consequences will be.
According to experts, if left untreated, postpartum depression can last for months or even years. However, with effective treatment, mothers can control symptoms and improve quality of life.
Postpartum women are advised to seek help from a psychiatrist or counselor as soon as possible to treat postpartum depression if they experience lingering feelings of sadness, emptiness or hopelessness. longer than 2 weeks.
Researchers have looked at a number of factors that may make some moms more susceptible to persistent postpartum depression than others. Most cases of postpartum depression tend to decrease over time. However, 38% of women with postpartum depression also had chronic symptoms.
In fact, about 50% of women who receive medical care for depression will continue to experience symptoms more than 1 year after giving birth. Among those with untreated postpartum depression, about 30% still experience depressive symptoms up to 3 years after giving birth.
Many studies have also identified a number of risk factors for long-term postpartum depression. Such as:
- Having a poor relationship with a husband or loved one
- Prolonged postpartum stress
- History of sexual abuse
- The diaper mother is young and has a low income
- Child’s illness
Some notes when suffering from postpartum depression
As analyzed, postpartum depression causes many harms to both mother and baby. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to your own mood, emotions and behavior to detect the disease early and take appropriate interventions.

To avoid unfortunate consequences, when suffering from postpartum depression, mothers need to pay attention to the following issues:
- Share the problems you are facing with your husband and family members to receive useful advice. Besides, the sympathy from the god will also give the mother more motivation to overcome the disease. At the same time soon regain the spirit of joy and optimism.
- If you feel too pressured to take care of your baby, you should ask your husband and relatives for help. When receiving support, mothers will feel more comfortable. Especially, there will be more time to rest and take care of yourself.
- Try to build a healthy diet and moderate activity. At the same time, make time for light physical activity to recover health soon. A healthy lifestyle is an important factor in improving and preventing postpartum depression.
- If home remedies don’t help too much, you should consult a psychotherapist or psychiatrist as soon as possible. Psychotherapy, medication or other intensive measures may be necessary.
The article clearly answers the question “Is postpartum depression dangerous? How long does it last?”. At the same time, it also mentions the issues that need to be noted to help the mother control the disease well and avoid unfortunate consequences. If you notice abnormalities in thoughts, feelings and behaviors, you need to pay special attention and seek medical attention when necessary.