Postpartum depression affects an estimated one in seven mothers, but not everyone responds to treatment in the same way. A new large-scale study has identified six factors that may increase the likelihood of developing treatment-resistant postpartum depression, a form of the condition that does not improve after standard treatments like antidepressants or psychotherapy. While these risk factors do not guarantee someone will experience persistent depression, they may help healthcare providers identify women who could benefit from earlier intervention and closer monitoring.
Researchers emphasize that treatment-resistant postpartum depression remains relatively uncommon, affecting about 6% of women diagnosed with postpartum depression in the Swedish nationwide study, but identifying those at higher risk may allow earlier, more personalized care.
