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Explore the real experience of postpartum depression—how it shows up, why it’s so often misunderstood, and the support that can make a difference. Compassionate insights and emerging treatments like low-dose ketamine offer a new path toward healing.
There’s a version of new motherhood that gets shown a lot: glowing moms, peaceful babies, picture-perfect moments. But for many women, the reality is way more complicated.
Postpartum depression (PPD) is something a lot of new moms go through, and yet it often feels like a secret no one’s allowed to talk about. It’s more than just feeling tired or overwhelmed—it can feel like being completely disconnected from yourself, your baby, and the world around you.
It’s totally normal to feel emotional or weepy in the first couple weeks after giving birth. Hormones crash, sleep disappears, and your whole life shifts overnight. That’s often called the “baby blues.” But postpartum depression is deeper and sticks around longer.
For some, it shows up as sadness that won’t go away. For others, it looks more like constant anxiety, irritability, or numbness. There might be guilt for not feeling happy, or shame for not bonding with the baby right away. It’s different for everyone, and that’s part of why it can be hard to recognize—even in yourself.
PPD can show up in small, quiet ways or hit like a wave. Some common signs include:
There’s no single reason postpartum depression happens, but it’s usually a mix of physical, emotional, and environmental factors. Hormone changes after birth can dramatically affect mood. Add in sleep deprivation, identity shifts, pressure to “do it all,” and maybe a lack of support—it’s a perfect storm.
Having a history of depression or anxiety can raise the risk, but PPD can affect anyone—even those who had smooth pregnancies or were over-the-moon about having a baby.
About 1 in 7 women experience postpartum depression. That’s a huge number—and it means this is far more common than most people realize. The silence around it doesn’t reflect how many women are going through it. You’re not the odd one out. You’re not weak. You’re part of a very large, very human club.
The good news is, postpartum depression is treatable—and there are several different routes to healing. For many, therapy is a solid starting point. Talking to a licensed professional (especially one familiar with postpartum mental health) can provide much-needed tools, perspective, and support.
Support groups—whether in person or online—can also make a big difference. Just hearing “me too” from someone who gets it can be incredibly powerful.
Low-dose ketamine treatment has also proved to be a powerful treatment option for new mothers. What makes it different is how quickly it can work. Some people feel relief within hours or days, rather than waiting weeks like with traditional medication. One of our patients shared that after trying 27 medications to treat her PPD, Joyous low-dose ketamine treatment was the healing remedy that she needed.
“Literally saved my life. I was in a deep depression pit for over 2 years starting with Postpartum Depression that didn’t respond to treatment. I wish I found Joyous sooner.” - Kara, Joyous Patient
Kara’s experience is a powerful reminder that healing is possible, even when it feels out of reach. If traditional treatments haven’t worked for you, that doesn’t mean you’ve run out of options.
The pressure to “enjoy every moment” of early motherhood can be crushing when you're just trying to survive the day. It’s okay if you don’t feel joyful right now. It’s okay if you need time to bond with your baby. And it’s okay to say that this is hard—even if you’re grateful, even if you love your child.
Postpartum depression doesn’t mean you’re not a good mom. It means you’re a mom who needs support. And you deserve that support, fully and without question.
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