What will happen if PPD goes untreated?
In half the cases, it will simply go away within a year or so. But in the other half, it will persist and continue to make the mother and her family miserable. Babies may develop significant learning and behavioral problems, they may have trouble forming attachments of their own and they are three times more likely to become depressed as teenagers. Uncomprehending husbands may react badly. Some believe that depression is the leading cause of divorce and we know that domestic violence is highest around pregnancy and childbirth. So if you feel you may have PPD, see a doctor. Don’t delay. The longer a depression goes untreated, the less responsive it is to treatment.
