Dr. Aditya Vohra · Updated
Signs to look for
- Low mood, tearfulness or anxiety lasting beyond two weeks after birth
- Difficulty bonding with the baby
- Guilt about being a bad mother
- Sleep problems beyond what the baby causes
- Intrusive frightening thoughts about harm coming to the baby
At Dr Vohra's
Who to see first: a psychiatrist.
Clinicians: Dr. Aditya Vohra, Dr. Sandeep Vohra
Treatments: Psychiatric consultation, Psychotherapy and counselling, Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), Medication management
ICD-11: 6E20
Baby blues, postpartum depression, or postpartum psychosis?
Baby blues: tearfulness and mood swings in the first ten days, settling on their own. Postpartum depression: low mood, anxiety, guilt, poor sleep beyond the baby's needs, difficulty bonding, intrusive thoughts, lasting beyond two weeks and up to a year after birth. Postpartum psychosis: rare (about one or two in a thousand births) but an emergency: confusion, hallucinations, strange beliefs, severe agitation in the first weeks; it needs same-day psychiatric care.
How is postpartum depression treated at Dr Vohra's?
Assessment covers mood, anxiety, sleep, bonding, thoughts of harm, support at home, thyroid and anaemia (common after birth and able to mimic depression), and history of depression or bipolar disorder.
Mild to moderate: CBT or interpersonal therapy, usually 8 to 12 sessions, often online around the baby's schedule, with practical work on sleep and support. Moderate to severe: an antidepressant chosen for compatibility with breastfeeding (sertraline is the usual first choice), with reviews every two to three weeks, plus therapy. Partners and family are involved so the mother gets rest and is not blamed.
Intrusive thoughts
Many mothers have sudden frightening thoughts of harm coming to the baby and are too ashamed to mention them. These are common, do not mean the mother wants to act on them, and respond to treatment. Saying them out loud to a clinician is the first step to their fading.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I take antidepressants while breastfeeding?
- Several antidepressants, including sertraline, pass into breast milk in very small amounts and are considered compatible with breastfeeding. The psychiatrist chooses with you and your paediatrician.
- Can fathers get postpartum depression?
- Yes. About one in ten fathers experience depression in the year after a birth, and it is treated in the same way.
- How do I book an appointment at Dr Vohra's?
- Call or WhatsApp +91 99992 49223, email help@drvohras.com, or use the contact form. Appointments are in person at 29/24, East Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110008, or online by secure video or voice call across India, in English and Hindi.
- What if I am in crisis right now?
- Call Tele-MANAS 14416 or KIRAN 1800-599-0019, both 24x7 and free anywhere in India, or 112 for emergency services. Dr Vohra's is an outpatient clinic, not an emergency service.