There’s no blood test or scan for it, meaning that an accurate diagnosis relies on self-reported symptoms, a clinical interview, and validated screening tools.
- Clinical interview
The doctor will ask detailed questions about:
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- Mood and emotional state.
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- Sleep and appetite.
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- Energy levels.
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- Feelings about the baby and parenting.
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- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
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- Psychiatric history (previous depression, anxiety, or trauma).
They also take into consideration how long the symptoms have lasted and how much they interfere with daily life and functioning.
- Screening tools
Healthcare providers often use standardized questionnaires to assess symptoms more systematically.
The most common tools include:
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- Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).
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- 10-question self-report scale.
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- Focuses on mood over the past 7 days.
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- PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire)
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- A general depression screener.
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- Helps to perceive the severity of depressive symptoms.
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These tools don’t diagnose PPD on their own, but they help flag individuals who may need a more thorough assessment.
- DSM-5 diagnostic criteria
Postpartum depression is not a separate disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), but it’s classified as major depressive disorder, with peripartum (shortly before or after childbirth) onset.
The criteria include:
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- 5 or more depressive symptoms (like low mood, sleep issues, guilt, fatigue, lack of pleasure) lasting for at least 2 weeks.
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- Onset during pregnancy or within 4 weeks postpartum (though many clinicians extend this window to up to 12 months postpartum based on current research).
- Timing is key
Timing and severity matter in diagnosis because symptoms like sleep deprivation and emotional ups and downs are common after childbirth.
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- Baby blues usually peak around day 4–5 postpartum and resolve within 2 weeks.
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- It’s more likely to be PPD if symptoms persist beyond 2 weeks, worsen, or interfere with daily life.
- Screening isn’t always universal
Despite recommendations from bodies like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), not all providers routinely screen for PPD, so self-advocacy is important.
If you feel something is off, speak up.
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