What are perinatal mood disorders and how are they treated?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Perinatal mood disorders are mental health conditions—including depression, anxiety, and postpartum psychosis—that affect people during pregnancy or in the year after childbirth. Common symptoms include persistent sadness, excessive worry, irritability, difficulty bonding with the baby, and changes in sleep or appetite. These conditions are highly treatable through therapy, medication, peer support, or a combination of approaches, and early intervention leads to better outcomes for both parent and child.

If you're experiencing symptoms that concern you, don't wait to find clarity. Perinatal mood disorders are common, treatable, and never your fault—but the sooner you understand what you're dealing with, the sooner you can access effective care. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand your symptoms and confidently navigate your next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/20/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover likely causes of perinatal mood symptoms Learn if postpartum symptoms need care today Find out if your mood changes are serious See OTC options for mood-related symptoms Find a doctor for perinatal mood disorders Understand medically valid home remedies for mood changes Check if postpartum mood symptoms need urgent care

Not seeing your question? No worries.

Submit your own Question

Explanation

Perinatal mood disorders include conditions like depression and anxiety that happen during pregnancy or after a baby is born. These disorders can make it hard for new parents to take care of themselves and their babies. Symptoms might include feeling very sad, anxious, or overwhelmed.

Treatment Options:

Therapy: Talking to a mental health professional can help. This might include individual therapy or group therapy with other new parents.
Medication: Sometimes, doctors might suggest taking medicine to help manage symptoms. It's important to discuss this with a healthcare provider to understand the benefits and risks.
Combination: Often, a combination of therapy and medication works best.

If you or someone you know is struggling with perinatal mood disorders, reaching out for help is important. You can start by using a free symptom checker to better understand what you're experiencing and determine if professional support may be beneficial.

(References)

Bertozzi-Villa C, Vaughn R, Khan S, & Mastrogiannis DS. (2025). Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders: Evidence-Based .... Obstetrics and gynecology clinics of North America, 39880559.
Shea A, Jumah NA, Forte M, Cantin C, Bayrampour H, Butler K, et al. (2024). Identification and Treatment of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety .... Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal d'obstetrique et gynecologie du Canada : JOGC, 39424138.
Weingarten SJ, & Osborne LM. (2024). Review of the Assessment and Management of Perinatal .... Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing), 38694149.

Thinking about asking ChatGPT?Ask me instead

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Was this page helpful?

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor's Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.