Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide
Peripartum (Postpartum) Depression
DEFINITION
- Major depression with peripartum onset (includes postpartum depression)
- "Peripartum depression" refers to a major depressive episode that occurs during pregnancy or within 4 weeks following delivery.
- "Postpartum depression" refers to an episode of major depression that begins within the first 4 weeks after delivery.
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Last updated: December 6, 2017
Citation
Kimmel, Mary, and Jennifer Payne. "Peripartum (Postpartum) Depression." Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide, The Johns Hopkins University, 2017. Johns Hopkins Guides, www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Psychiatry_Guide/787152/3.1/Peripartum__Postpartum__Depression.
Kimmel M, Payne J. Peripartum (Postpartum) Depression. Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide. The Johns Hopkins University; 2017. https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Psychiatry_Guide/787152/3.1/Peripartum__Postpartum__Depression. Accessed September 28, 2025.
Kimmel, M., & Payne, J. (2017). Peripartum (Postpartum) Depression. In Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide. The Johns Hopkins University. https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Psychiatry_Guide/787152/3.1/Peripartum__Postpartum__Depression
Kimmel M, Payne J. Peripartum (Postpartum) Depression [Internet]. In: Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide. The Johns Hopkins University; 2017. [cited 2025 September 28]. Available from: https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Psychiatry_Guide/787152/3.1/Peripartum__Postpartum__Depression.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
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AU - Payne,Jennifer,M.D.
Y1 - 2017/12/06/
BT - Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide
UR - https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Psychiatry_Guide/787152/3.1/Peripartum__Postpartum__Depression
PB - The Johns Hopkins University
DB - Johns Hopkins Guides
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