How to recognize postpartum depression

Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that may appear in the first few weeks or months after giving birth. After giving birth, it is normal to experience difficult times, but when the discomfort lasts more than two weeks or you feel “turned off” towards yourself or your baby, it's time to ask for help. It's a treatable medical condition, not a personal weakness and it doesn't depend on the love you feel for your son or daughter. It can affect anyone, even those who have never had psychological difficulties in the past. According to the Higher Institute of Health, it affects about 1 in 7 women after giving birth, but it can also affect fathers, in the form of paternal postnatal depression. In addition to individual hormonal and psychological factors, the social and cultural context can also increase the risk: isolation, lack of support, difficulty reconciling personal life and parenting, unrealistic expectations about motherhood or the absence of a community network. The urban context, in particular, can be unfavorable to mental health, especially for those who face a transition as profound as that of the birth of a child.